What's an "Italian Tune-up"

[mechtech]

Carbon on cyl heads, valves, and tops of pistons used to be black, and thick, but would burn/blow off readily when the vehicle was driven hard.
Modern fuel leaves grey, very hard, deposits, that are thinner than before, but are much more difficult to remove.

 

[Bobert]

I think this is the TSB I saw (It's for an Audi BTW):

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cach...+TSB+.pdf+"Carbon+deposits"++oil++miles&hl=en

It mentions using Wynn’s X--Tend V.I.C. Combustion Chamber Cleaner: Part No: 61510 (U.S.), Part No:61512 (Can.) to remove carbon deposits. It also mentions that, "It will also be necessary to change engine oil after carbon removal." Then at the bottom it gives instructions:

Note: Perform the following only with a fully charged battery.

--Start engine (if necessary depress throttle fully and crank engine until engine starts). Continue to run engine until warm. With engine fully warmed:

--Road test vehicle under load with engine between 4000 to 6000 RPM’s for approx. 10miles (use appropriate lower gear to stay within legal speed limits).

Procedure is complete

Well my memory was pretty close.

 

[TallPaul]

Wow! I'm stunned! Just Italian tuned up the Aerostar. This 105,000 3.0 V6 has been knocking for over a year. Lately been running about 90 octane. Today it was near empty and I put in 10 gallons 87 octane and a bottle of Techtron. Was still knocking for the first few miles, then I did the Tune Up. Ten miles out the interstate at 4000 rpm (about 75+ mph) and after a couple hours came back and did it again. I only had a few miles at the end to try it, but could not get it to knock. Also the idle was rough, but now is much smoother. And the best part was it is fun to do!

Felt great hitting it for short bursts up to 5 grand and then letting it have some engine braking. Also did a matted pedal on the ramp for a 5700 rpm 1-2 shift. What a blast!

 

[TallPaul]

When I google Italian Tune Up I get mostly definitions of running it at redline for a couple miles. But I like the 4000 rpm tune up for the Aerostar. Wife drove it 30 miles yesterday. Today I drove it 30 miles and absolutely no knock, and I tried hard to get it to knock--nothing, zip, nada. I am still stunned. Hard to believe, but it's true. So when do I get to (I mean have to) do it again guys? I don't want to wait for it to knock again. Maybe every other day?

 

[Patman]

As much fun as the Italian tuneup might be, I'd bet that regular use of FP or Neutra in your gas tank would already keep all the carbon away anyhow.

I still enjoy my full throttle blasts though!

(but in the wintertime it's not always possible to drive like that for long periods of time)

 

[Pablo]

careful

 

[Bobert]

quote:

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Originally posted by TallPaul:
So when do I get to (I mean have to) do it again guys? I don't want to wait for it to knock again. Maybe every other day?

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An Italian Tuneup a day keeps the carbon buildup away.

I would just wait and see if the knock comes back again, and if it does, every 3 to 6 months might be a good time frame. If you use Redline SI-1 as a maintenance dose, (1 bottle supposed to last 10 tankfulls) it might be enough to make the knock stay away for good.

Glad it worked out for you TallPaul.