Dealer suggests carbon cleaning at 22k km

[crackerjack]

Hi.
I’m currently at the Hyundai dealership lounge having a service for my 2011 Elantra at 22k km. The dealer suggested to replace all filters and flush fluids, they also suggested carbon cleaning, since it’s only a 1.6lt engine I thought it could be postponed until 30k km, I just thought the fluids and filters would be more important at this stage. I keep the car regularly serviced.

Thoughts on carbon cleaning and the intervals to clean ? I know it will improve performance BUT for a 1.6lt engine at 22k km is it really needed ?

Topic

[John B Kobberstad]

I’ve got 290,000 miles on my 1996 Dodge Neon and it’s never had carbon cleaning. What do they use to clean the carbon?

[college man]

what exactly gets carbon cleaned and what would this
service cost?

[crackerjack]

Well.
I’m based in China, so they quoted me 400RMB （70USD) for a carbon clean, I had alot of other things changed around so I figured I would leave it for the 30k service.

[Jim]

In my part of the word we have very low standards for fuel. I have seen carbon effect an engine with as little as 11,000miles. A carbon cleaning in my dealership consists of running the car and injecting the cleaner into the intake. It cleans the throttle body, intake, valves, combustion chambers, and catalytic converter. Its not necessary if you are not experiencing a problem but it wont hurt. Yes 30k is a good interval for this service. As for fluid flush, it is early still so i wouldn’t recommend that, but a good idea is to check ur owners manual. Also you can fight carbon by using a quality fuel. Hope this helps and let me know if you need anything else.

[Mike]

Carbon cleaning helps a lot, does not matter how many miles you have. I have low miles, and I couldn’t pass smog in my chevy tracker. I used Seafoam carbon cleaner and it passed with flying colors. I never recommend fluid flushes. They are easy for shops to upsell because they sound cool and effective. However, they are not and can damage your tranny, cooling, and oil system. Tranny fluid is made to go in one direction. When they do a flush, they flush the fluid backward. This is get debri stuck in little orifices in the valve body. Seen it happen multiple times. I have also seen radiators explode from flushes. Just do a drain and refill. You should never do a flush.

[Mike]

forgot to mention…never do a flush unless you have major tranny or coolant issues and it is the only method you have left before replacing everything.

[college man]

I would also leave it for the 30k mile service.;)

[EricTheCarGuy]

I’d say it’s too early. If you were having an emissions issue or performance problem that would be one thing but if you keep the car regularly serviced then I would skip it. You’d be surprised at how far just changing the oil regularly does to keep your engine clean on the inside.

[Author]

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