[My First Honda]

A little late to the party, but am catching up on the carbon build-up issues for our DI fuel systems. I drive a 2018 Accord with the 1.5L turbo engine, 6-speed MT. Didn't realize it was DI when we bought it new and is all new to me. Don't drive it a lot and all highway when I do. It has 29,000 miles on it and am sure has a good build up of carbon already. Really bought this Honda (first one for me) based on Honda's reputation of dependability and high mileage that they give you; from what I have been reading, that may not be the case with this and newer Honda's. Not a good feeling...

Hoping to develop a routine maintenance schedule that I can DIY to control the carbon. Hoping to get some insight from the forum...

• Seems like choice of gas and oil used has something to do with it.
• Some like the spray can DIY (i.e. CRC) and some say never to use it, especially with a turbo engine as it can damage it.

Questions/Concerns:

• I was opting to give the CDC a try, only as it seems like the only choice there is for a DIY, backyard mechanic.
• Was thinking of inserting the CRC DI cleaner through the manifold by-pass hose/inlet located on the firewall side of the engine instead of through the throttle plate as suggested; see attached picture. Thinking this would avoid the turbo and enter where the problematic return gasses naturally enter the car. Is this correct and would it get to the valves properly?
• Also, would it be possible to by-pass and disconnect this exhaust manifold hose altogether on this Honda? Saw a video of a guy do it on a VW using a small mini air filter on the out-take and a rubber cap to plug the intake. Any negative effects to the engine? Was going to try it and see how it affected the engine (i.e alter the RPM's or stall it even) and if it threw a code of some kind...

Appreciate the input. Really trying to get a handle on this problem that we all have to deal with driving a DI engine.

 

[My First Honda]

Appreciate the feedback. Carbon build up is a problematic by-product of any DI fuel injection system, as Hudouc clarified. I bought this Accord based on Honda's reputation of building dependable, high mileage cars. Based on the things I have been reading about it, they have have some major issues that I wanted to get ahead of the best I can and avoid costly repairs.

TGHI - I am new to Honda's, so am not in any way trying to be snarky, but what is your reasoning for not using the PCV hose? Seems right to me as this is where the recyled 'dirty" air is being pumped back in, or is that mostly done with the EGR system??

• And is that what that is in the picture, the PCV hose as you called it? The PCV on this 2018 model is yellow and "free-standing" without any hoses hooked up to it. I just bought one to replace original.
• Where would you use as an entry point, then?

Is CRC DI spray cleaner the best preventive maintenance cleaner then? Any other product/technique better? I have been doing what "therhett17" has recommended, using Redline SI-1 as fuel additive before every oil change.

Whole other topic, but the other major concern I have been reading about is blown head gaskets, and happening a lot at what I consider low mileage too (under 100,00 miles). Any idea's on preventing this; this is a primarily coolant issue, no??

Thanks again. I'm not paranoid, just trying to stay ahead of what has already been shown to be issues with our Gen 10's...