Carbon cleaning - regular service item ?

I recently had my V70 serviced and was told that the car hadn't had a
"carbon clean" in 2 years and it was time to get it done. By "carbon
clean" I understand that they meant fuel injector and valve cleaning,
probably by flushing a de-gumming agent through the system. At AUD$160
(about US$120 or GBP70) I thought - "ouch... next time", especially as
the car seems to be running smoothly.

Does anyone else's authorised Volvo agent offer this as a regular
service ? Or has mine found yet another way to extract extra cash?

Is it as simple as adding an STP/Wynns/3M product to the fuel tank, or
do they do something more special (as I would hope for $160). If there
IS a Volvo-approved additive that can accomplish this, what is it and
where can I get it?

Or next service, should I just fork out an extra $160 ?

Chris

 

I think your dealer has found a cash extraction technique. Many garages
have a carbon cleaning technique that is inserted into the spark plug
holes and uses finely ground walnut shells to essentially grit blast the
carbon off the valves and seats. Then when you start the engine the
walnut shells burn up. It works, but if you don't need it, it is a
waste of money.

If you aren't experiencing any bad symptoms, the Chevron product
"Techron" is the best additive to keep the engine from carboning up. It
will even clean up an engine that is carboned up. Chevron gas has
Techron in it. Most good stores sell it as an additive.

 

Thanks Stephen. Since it's running well, my reaction was "do nothing".

I tend to buy only premium fuel with de-gumming agents anyway (only a
dollar or two more when you fill up, so who's counting). I'm sure that
the Caltex premium product here (a Chevron company, I think) contains
Techron, although Shell 98 octane is the usual drink.

Chris

 

Chris

Who is the dealer?

Jose
(Melbourne)

 

Norsk, in Perth.

 

Thanks

Jose

 

use a good fuel system cleaner any thing else is a con job keep using 98
octane too I was told by carson and murphy to use 1 litre of diesel in a
tank as it cleans the injectors

 

But as far as the catalytic converter is concerned, it's just like
burning an extra quart of oil. That will make yor converter
inoperative in half the time or less. It's a bogus claim either
way whether or not your car has a converter.