Help: CRC GDI Intake and Turbo Cleaner - 3.5L Ecoboost Ford Explorer

[northestPM]

2015 Explorer with the 3.5 EB, just hit 100k miles. I've been looking into the CRC GDI/Turbo cleaner. I've heard it was bad to spray it in right after the MAF because it can go in the induction tubes and into the hot turbo, which would be bad.

I am aware that the spray can options are not nearly as effective as a walnut blast, but the CRC had shown some decent results on youtube.

Would it be safe and best to spray it into the throttle body, or remove the sensor in the intake manifold and spray it in there?

 

[Jason2007]

Just do it right on the throttle body.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

2015 Explorer with the 3.5 EB, just hit 100k miles. I've been looking into the CRC GDI/Turbo cleaner. I've heard it was bad to spray it in right after the MAF because it can go in the induction tubes and into the hot turbo, which would be bad.

I am aware that the spray can options are not nearly as effective as a walnut blast, but the CRC had shown some decent results on youtube.

Would it be safe and best to spray it into the throttle body, or remove the sensor in the intake manifold and spray it in there?

View attachment 240624

The problem is that you have no way of verifying how well the product is working. More often than not you're just wasting your time and $$ although it's not that much money.

I would just let it be until you notice running problems which will likely be never.

 

[KrisZ]

A waste of money and labor IMO. Those deposits are baked on and rock hard, even soaking them would probably have minimal effect.

 

[Dave9]

If you're not doing a walnut blast, at least do a pecan blast. Liquid cleaner? That's nuts.

 

[TheBeaz]

If you're not doing a walnut blast, at least do a pecan blast. Liquid cleaner? That's nuts.

The liquid cleaner is what you're supposed to use once in a while to prevent the valves from getting to the point of needing a walnut blast. But at 100k miles with no previous induction services, I don't know if it would do much.

 

[TheBeaz]

That sensor (MAP?) would probably be the best choice. Every 30 seconds, I would take a break from spraying and raise the rpm to 3k. Supposedly, this helps prevent the liquid from pooling in the intake. Spray it like just this tech does with short fast bursts:

 

[MrBaumTastic]

Hey man, I use CRC with every oil change. Do I have pictures showing it works? No. But does that mean, it doesn't? Also no. And I can't be bothered to get pictures because many other people have already posted before and after results of this stuff all over the Internet, showing how effective it can be when used properly and consistently. Key words there.

You're looking after your car and doing more than the average joe, good for you! Don't listen to the haters. Is walnut blasting superior? Yes. But that doesn't mean CRC doesn't work.

My goal is to do walnut blasting on my Kia sportage's intake someday, but affording it in my area and finding the time off work make the 20 minutes it takes to apply CRC when already in the midst of an oil change just easier.

 

[KrisZ]

There are pictures that have been posted by some members here that the sprays don't work or the difference is minute. There are also some youtube vids showing boroscope pics with little effect. There is plenty of evidence these are feel good, wallet drainers.

 

[northestPM]

The liquid cleaner is what you're supposed to use once in a while to prevent the valves from getting to the point of needing a walnut blast. But at 100k miles with no previous induction services, I don't know if it would do much.

True, I recently purchased the car. If I owned it since new, I'd probably have installed a catch can and used a spray clean every 10k or so.

 

[Dave9]

The liquid cleaner is what you're supposed to use once in a while to prevent the valves from getting to the point of needing a walnut blast. But at 100k miles with no previous induction services, I don't know if it would do much.

Pretty sure that Ford does not state that you are supposed to do that, more so the seller of the product and/or "service".

If a sufficient sample size of Ecoboost owners were to use a borescope and leak down test to prove it worked, and didn't put chunks of carbon in their cats, then I'd be inclined to change my mind.

 

[Jason2007]

The good news is that intake manifold is super easy to remove so you can clean the valves manually. You can remove that intake in less than an hour.

 

[Jason2007]

You can also send a borescope down the map sensor hole to get a look. My old SHO at 75k had pretty clean valves with only a slight bit of crud.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I believe Ford doesn’t recommend induction service on turbocharged engines. There’s some history of turbo failures after the service. I’ve also read the Ford uses some type of reversion to help keep the valves from fouling too badly. I’ve never read of ever seen any excessive fouling on v6 valves. I do know someone with a Focus ST that had chronic cold start misfires until he cleaned the valves and installed methanol injection.