Caring For Your Gas Direct Injection Engine
Gas Direct Injection (GDI) had a slow start coming on to the mass production car scene, but today it is touted as a significant breakthrough for the automotive industry in both performance and fuel economy. However, there is a trade-off for these benefits, and if not cared for properly, your GDI engine may experience issues such as carbon build-up or fuel system clogs that can lead to costly repairs down the line. Read on to learn how to give your GDI engine the specialized care it needs to keep you on the road.
About Gas Direct Injection Engines
GDI engines have been around longer than you may think. First produced in 1925, their implementation was rare until about 1996. But, as of 2016, they are found in approximately half of all cars. One car that shows impressive GDI results is the Mazda 3 with its SkyActive engine that improves its mpg by 4 points, from 28 to 32 mpg.
How GDI Works
In GDIs, fuel is injected from a mounted position on the engine’s cylinder head at high-pressure rates into the combustion chamber instead of the intake manifold. This process allows for more controlled and precisely measured fuel than other fuel systems or carburetors. GDIs offer a greater compression ratio, lower cylinder temperatures, and complete combustion while allowing engines to run more efficiently, with increased power through engine torque delivery and decreased exhaust emissions.
Gas Direct Injection Engine Maintenance
GDIs’ benefits are apparent, but if not given appropriate care, GDI engines will experience carbon build-up that causes decreased fuel economy and power, rough idling, or slower response acceleration. To help prevent these issues, be mindful of your GDI’s needs, including filling your car with ethanol-free gasoline formulated with detergents.
Aerosol Carbon Eliminator
One simple way to care for your GDI engine is to incorporate an aerosol carbon eliminator spray to help remove the build-up of carbon on your engine’s cylinders. This spray has the following benefits.
- Cleans the intake and induction systems to remove carbon as well as oil-based and fuel-based deposits
- Lubricates throttle parts, including the plate and body
- Safe for GDI and port fuel injection systems, catalytic converters, and oxygen sensors as long as the vehicle is not equipped with a turbo.
This spray is an inexpensive way to keep your engine clean and can be purchased directly from City Auto Repair.
Frequent Oil Changes
Another way to mitigate damage to your GDI engine is to use the proper oil and change it frequently, at a recommended 5,000 to 7,000-mile interval. Oil changes remove debris from your engine’s crankcase in addition to allowing for more freely moving valve control mechanisms.
Professional Service
If you cannot keep up with your GDI engine’s care and maintenance needs or are unsure how to do it yourself, rely on professional mechanics. Depending on the level of buildup and its solidity, your engine may require more than what at-home fixes provide. For example, some buildup can only be removed by introducing a chemical liquid into the intake and using a port vacuum line to pull the liquid into the intake ports as the engine runs. Unless you own a port vacuum at home, this is a solution best accomplished by your trusted auto repair facility. Another possible solution involves blasting crushed walnuts into the intake ports using compressed air and then sucking them out using a special adaptor. This fix requires removing the intake manifold, so it is similarly unwise to try this at home. Your cylinder heads must be removed and cleaned manually in the most extreme cases, a complex endeavor best left to the pros.
City Auto Repair Is Your Gas Direct Injection Engine Team
When your GDI engine is cared for correctly, it runs at its best and rewards your vehicle with better power, fuel economy, and lower emissions. At City Auto Repair in Gainesville, FL, our knowledgeable mechanics empower and educate you on the best way to care for your GDI engine – and when you need professional service, we are ready to assist you with our specialized methods tailored specifically for your car. We have the expertise, experience, and equipment your GDI engine needs for optimal performance and minimal downtime. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment for your gas direct injection engine.