just got my 05 sport touring model back. 39K miles, needed a reman engine. loss of power blah blah blah you've heard it before.

runs great now.

tech noted they cleaned the intake due to 'excessive carbon buildup'

how do I avoid this in the future?

 

A redline a day keeps the carbon away. By intake, he probablly means the under the UIM and more specifically the SSV valve. May or may not have been excessive carbon but its easier to clean it while everything is apart. Just redline regularly and preimx.

 

carbon? maybe he meant oil?

a catch can stops a lot of oil from entering the intake.

 

Possible, but most likely he was talking about the upper intake manifold area and not the actual intake. The SSV valve is known to get carbon build up and get stuck open/closed.

 

If he cleaned the UIM lets just hope he inspected the lower intake manifold where the SSV actually is

 

Thats why I said UIM area since you can clean the SSV from under the UIM Poor in some cleaner and work the SSV, let it sit, start the car and enjoy the smoke show.

 

Sure you can clean the SSV from "under" the UIM.
But not without removing components like the ACV, thermostat, water pulley, alternator bracket, etc.

I'm simply saying this because I know the OP is going to ask about cleaning it and I just want it to be known that its not a 5 minute job.

 

Hmmmmmm, if only there were a DIY Understandable. I know most dealers will just remove the Upper Intake Manifold and pour some seafoam or Mazda Zoom Zoom Cleaner down onto the SSV and then manually work the SSV. Why do 3-5 hours of work when you can do 1-2 and charge for 3-5

 

To avoid excessive carbon build up, you need to redline excessively. It's as simple as that.

 

And pouring the cleaner onto the SSV isn't going to clean it entirely and is only a temporary solution.
Plus, it won't help if the valve is actually stuck.
I had to pry the valve open from above before I could use a cleaner to finish it.
That valve really needs to be removed to clean it good.
And yes... a DIY needs to be made

 

And install a catch-can to capture oil that could potentially go into your intake (for '04 and '05 models)

 

My SSV was stuck after I got my engine replaced. It was cleaned this way. You shouldnt need to pry it since you can move it by hand without taking anything apart.

Cant find a good pic of the arm you can move atm

 

But if the valve is stuck, you can't move it by hand.

 

Depends how stuck, a little wiggle push always solves my problems

 

Have you personally removed the SSV or even worked on a car with a stuck valve?

 

Mine. Didnt have to remove it. It was stuck open. Hence the reason I said depends on how stuck it actually is.

 

here is the DIY from our famous NYCGPS. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-mazda-zoom-power-engine-cleaner-engine-cleaning-seaform-142852/
i
f you decide to use Sea foam, just make sure you buy a vaccum hose that fits for the 2 nipples. also recommend buying a spray bottle to put the sea foam in, if you are doing this job by your self, also so you can watch how much is being sucked thru the vaccum hose.

if you are , you will place the spray bottle on your winshield so it rest against the hood that is popped up. also makes sure you place a towel between the bottle and your hood.

gl

 

Yeah the ssv valve cleaning is buried somewhere in there. I know its atleast mentioned in there.

 

Or you can put some Chevron Techron, a lot of members on this forum have used it and said its done wonders.

 

??????

 

lol i was wondering the same.

 

Maybe he means NOS

 

Sorry guys for being brief, Chevron Techron is a combustion/compression/intake/fuel management cleaner. I started using it after searching/researching on the best way to get rid of carbon(besides redlining everyday) I now use it a week before i get an oil change so that if theres any harmful crap it falls into the dirty oil. Then when i get an oil change everythings new.

here is the link
http://www.chevron.com/products/ourf...tives/tcp.aspx

 

Chevron Techron will not clean your intake manifold. Same goes for any gas additive.