I just took my 03 6.0L truck to the dealer and they are telling me that the turbo/intake manifold/AGR valve need to be cleaned. The total charge to get this done is around $2k. Any one have suggestions on this issue. I currently run Stanadyne fuel additive and not sure if there is a product to clean the cabon buldup.

 

do a search on coking.

 

Carbon buildup in the intake manifold is not coking.

You may just need a new EGR valve, or even just clean the existing EGR valve.

If the intake is so plugged with carbon that it won't flow enough exhaust gas, then it needs to come off and be hot dipped to clean. There are some cleaners that claim to clean it, but I would not do it. If the stuff cleans at all then it has to pass through the combustion system and turbo. In my opinion, if it is dirty enough to need cleaning, it is too dirty to send all that stuff through my turbo.

It might be a $2k job to remove the intake for cleaning, I don't know. But if the dealer told me it was that dirty then you want to know if it is dry carbon, or wet gunky carbon. Ideally it is just dry carbon powder. If it is wet gunk then there is a high likelyhood that your EGR cooler is leaking steam, and also probable that your oil cooler is plugged. It's all in the same area, so EGR cooler, oil cooler, and intake manifold cleaning can easily reach a $2k job.

 

If you want to be a chintz, you do it this way first.

R&R EGR valve and clean that and as much carbon out as you can without removing intake.

Accept that carbon particles will cause the EGR / intake / exhaust valves to jam (with known results) and know how to clear the problem when it happens.

Also know how to clear the P0405 codes when it repeatedly show up.

Combine that with an Italian tuneup..

You will be home free ... for a lot less than $2k.


------------------------------

Or you can pay the $2 k.



You can guess which route I took.

 

I suppose our first question should be, why did you take it to the dealer? Was there an issue? Some dealers have been known to upsell intake cleaning as preventative maintenance and that's not right.

 

If your mileage is correct as you posted it in your profile then I suspect your turbo probably suffers from lot rot and really does need to be cleaned. Drive to Arkansas and I'll do it for half that plus parts, which shouldn't be more than a few gaskets.

 

If you drive like you stole it to Arkansas, chances are, by the time you get there, the sticking turbo vanes from rust would have cured itself.

That is how I did it.

 

You drove to Arkansas...??
LoL

 

LOL...

No, didn't visit there recently, nice place though!