Carbon Buildup in the LT1 - Direct Injection

agl_bst · 04-13-2016, 07:41 AM

Hi everyone. I am new on these forums but I wanted to know if the carbon build up is as bad as some other direct injection engines. It might be too soon to tell on this gen of camaro but has anyone already experienced the problem?

I searched all over for problems on the LT1 regarding this matter, but the corvette forums show "preventative" measures and just general acceptance of this. Doesnt tell me much.

leadfoot93 · 04-13-2016, 09:52 AM

With the LT1 on the Camaro, built a catch can into part of the engine, on the PVC side you need a 3rd party one like the one Mishimoto created.

andrec10 · 04-13-2016, 02:09 PM

Catch can ASAP...

agl_bst · 04-13-2016, 07:11 PM

A catch can does seem to be a great help, but i just hope this is not something that I have to experience at 30k miles. Going to have to speak to a mechanic at the dealership to get a feel for how this is handled and what I should anticipate.

Glen e · 04-13-2016, 07:13 PM

This is a 100k and above situation, things dont really break, just need to be cleaned out at that mileage..

Relax, forums can create paranoia easily......

Raybreiding · 04-14-2016, 07:14 PM

I decarbonize every 50k as well as flush injectors on all my cars. Going to begin doing it at 25k. Once you have the equipment, the chemicals are about $20.00

mikeSS · 04-17-2016, 12:28 AM

The older generation direct injection engines were really bad.

They have made changes, and want engines to last without any problems through the warranty period.

Its for sure still a problem, but it will take some miles to really get enough carbon to start causes noticeable problems.

The truth is nobody knows how bad the LT1 is with carbon build up.

Iron Oak · 11-23-2016, 01:49 PM

Wanted to resurrect this topic. Any new information on this topic of carbon build up? It's a real issue in many German manufacturers with DI.

6spdhyperblue · 11-24-2016, 11:14 AM

There are already well over a million of these engines on the road since 2013 and no sirens going off.

Mountain · 11-27-2016, 11:17 PM

As mentioned, having an oil-air separator on this engine helps with carbon build up quite a bit. I don't expect there to really be any issue. I will likely run a cleaner once I get near 40K miles, but that's about it. I think the engine would be fine until maybe near 100k, but I'm all about preventative maintenance.

EFI Tuning · 11-27-2016, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountain

As mentioned, having an oil-air separator on this engine helps with carbon build up quite a bit. I don't expect there to really be any issue. I will likely run a cleaner once I get near 40K miles, but that's about it. I think the engine would be fine until maybe near 100k, but I'm all about preventative maintenance.

Here is mine at 15.5K miles. This was taken tonight. The Mishimoto unit has been on for about 14K miles. There is a bit of accumulation at the base of the valve stem but the top face of the valves looked good.

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Name: IMG_0163 (1).jpg
Views: 6246
Size: 382.5 KB

Tim

SS 1LE · 11-28-2016, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFI Tuning

Here is mine at 15.5K miles. This was taken tonight. The Mishimoto unit has been on for about 14K miles. There is a bit of accumulation at the base of the valve stem but the top face of the valves looked good.

Attachment 835397

Tim

Wow, that looks much better than I thought it would...

So you have a Mishimoto catch can, what oil are you running?

TimsZ28 · 11-28-2016, 10:28 PM

Don't forget the LT1 does have a "catch can" so to speak built into the factory system. The oil drains back into the pan. Now I am not saying a catch can is a bad idea or that you shouldn't get one if it makes you feel better. It will not hurt a thing if installed correctly. Just saying we do have one from the factory.

SS 1LE · 11-29-2016, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimsZ28

Don't forget the LT1 does have a "catch can" so to speak built into the factory system. The oil drains back into the pan. Now I am not saying a catch can is a bad idea or that you shouldn't get one if it makes you feel better. It will not hurt a thing if installed correctly. Just saying we do have one from the factory.

Factory one is on the other side...and works differently.

04-13-2016, 07:41 AM	#1
agl_bst Drives: 2017 1LE Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Homestead Posts: 63	Carbon Buildup in the LT1 - Direct Injection Hi everyone. I am new on these forums but I wanted to know if the carbon build up is as bad as some other direct injection engines. It might be too soon to tell on this gen of camaro but has anyone already experienced the problem? I searched all over for problems on the LT1 regarding this matter, but the corvette forums show "preventative" measures and just general acceptance of this. Doesnt tell me much.

04-13-2016, 09:52 AM	#2
leadfoot93 Camaro Fan Drives: 2016 Camaro 1SS Garnet Red Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: NY Posts: 1,254 View My Garage	With the LT1 on the Camaro, built a catch can into part of the engine, on the PVC side you need a 3rd party one like the one Mishimoto created. __________________ Ordered: Garnet Red Tint coat 2016 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS, Auto, NPP 1100 Status: 8/6/15 3800 Status: 10/13/15 VIN #116519 4200 Status: 12/19/15 Delivered : 12/28/15

04-13-2016, 02:09 PM	#3
andrec10 Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS 6SP/Suby Legacy 6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Hyde Park, NY Posts: 844	Catch can ASAP... __________________ TFPK40 Its Here! Finally came home on 3-31-16! Red Hot 2SS,6 Speed, NPP, MRC, Adrenaline Red interior, Silver Rally Stripes, NAV, Sunroof, 56W Split Spoke Wheels, Body color Hood vents, Body color Splash Guards and winter protection package. Ordered 1-28-16: 1100 2-11-2016 :2000 2-15-2016: 3000 TPW of 3/7...That went quick! 2-26-2016: 3400 Status TPW 3/7 3-5-2016 : 3800 3-8-2016 : 4300 3-11-2016 : 4B00 3-15-2016 : 4200 3-22-2016 : 4800 3-29-2016 : 6000!

04-13-2016, 07:13 PM	#5
Glen e Retired from Car mfrs.... Drives: 2LT RS/HR-V Join Date: May 2013 Location: /Fort Lauderdale Posts: 10,048	This is a 100k and above situation, things dont really break, just need to be cleaned out at that mileage.. Relax, forums can create paranoia easily...... __________________ Glen CLICK HERE for detailing a new car: detailing for non detailers CLICK HERE for how to rinseless CLICK HERE for EASY wheel sealant

11-28-2016, 10:28 PM	#13
TimsZ28 Drives: '16 2SS, '14 Z71 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Arkansas Posts: 126	Don't forget the LT1 does have a "catch can" so to speak built into the factory system. The oil drains back into the pan. Now I am not saying a catch can is a bad idea or that you shouldn't get one if it makes you feel better. It will not hurt a thing if installed correctly. Just saying we do have one from the factory. __________________ '16 2SS M6 & '14 Z71

04-13-2016, 07:11 PM	#4
agl_bst Drives: 2017 1LE Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Homestead Posts: 63	A catch can does seem to be a great help, but i just hope this is not something that I have to experience at 30k miles. Going to have to speak to a mechanic at the dealership to get a feel for how this is handled and what I should anticipate.

04-14-2016, 07:14 PM	#6
Raybreiding Drives: 2016 CAMARO SS2 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan Posts: 167 View My Garage	I decarbonize every 50k as well as flush injectors on all my cars. Going to begin doing it at 25k. Once you have the equipment, the chemicals are about $20.00

04-17-2016, 12:28 AM	#7
mikeSS Drives: 2015 c7 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: MI Posts: 7,462	The older generation direct injection engines were really bad. They have made changes, and want engines to last without any problems through the warranty period. Its for sure still a problem, but it will take some miles to really get enough carbon to start causes noticeable problems. The truth is nobody knows how bad the LT1 is with carbon build up.

11-23-2016, 01:49 PM	#8
Iron Oak Club Motorsports Track Op Drives: STI, Land Rover and future 1LE Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Maine Posts: 317	Wanted to resurrect this topic. Any new information on this topic of carbon build up? It's a real issue in many German manufacturers with DI.

11-24-2016, 11:14 AM	#9
6spdhyperblue Drives: 6th gen Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: US Posts: 3,670	There are already well over a million of these engines on the road since 2013 and no sirens going off.

11-27-2016, 11:17 PM	#10
Mountain Drives: 2017 SS 1LE, 2016 1SS (previous) Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Metro-Detroit Posts: 1,863	As mentioned, having an oil-air separator on this engine helps with carbon build up quite a bit. I don't expect there to really be any issue. I will likely run a cleaner once I get near 40K miles, but that's about it. I think the engine would be fine until maybe near 100k, but I'm all about preventative maintenance.

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