What is gdi service?

Here we take a look at one of the most common service issues – carbon build-up – and how you can help your customers keep it under control.

In a conventional port fuel or multi-point injection engine, fuel is injected into the intake port of each cylinder just upstream of the intake valve, where it mixes with the incoming air – the fuel mixture is then pulled into the engine cylinder. During this process fuel washes over the intake valves, removing any fuel that has oxidized or dirt from the intake air.

In contrast, GDi injects the fuel at high pressure, directly into the combustion chamber. The finely atomised and precisely directed fuel air mixture improves the quality of combustion, delivering more power and lower emissions. The downside, however is that fuel no longer reaches and cleans the valves, causing a build-up of deposits.

Overtime, these deposits will build up on the injectors and valves, causing several issues:

Injectors: Carbon build-up on the tip of the injector can restrict fuel delivery causing the engine to run lean, in other words too much air and not enough fuel. This can cause several issues such as rough idle, misfires, poor fuel economy and increased emissions, as well as a greater risk of detonation and preignition. These deposits typically form in the period immediately after the engine if switched off, meaning that they will build up faster during shorter, more frequent trips.

Intake valves: Overtime, carbon can also build up on the intake valves, stopping them from opening and closing properly. This restricts air flow to the cylinders, reducing engine power and fuel economy. Although intake valve deposits are a normal by-product of combustion, they can build up quicker if the valve guides or seals are worn, or in vehicles with variable valve timing, where the valves are open for longer and are therefore exposed to more carbon particles

The build-up of carbon can manifest itself in a number of ways including:

Whilst GDi vehicles will require a service, typically between 20 to 40,000 miles, regular maintenance in between will help prevent the accumulation of carbon:

Unfortunately, many vehicle owners aren’t aware of the need for regular servicing until it’s too late and their check engine light comes on. In this instance there are some simple procedures you can perform to diagnose carbon build-up:

But don’t worry – everything’s not lost if carbon build-up is confirmed. Although there are several products that claim to remove these deposits, the only way to completely eradicate them is to disassemble the components and perform an ultrasonic clean. Using high-frequency sound waves, our range of Hartridge ultrasonic cleaning tanks, deep cleans all surfaces including hard-to-reach crevices, ensuring a more thorough and faster clean than other methods.

So, as the number of GDi engines on the roads continues to grow, so will the number of service issues related to carbon build-up. By understanding the problems caused by this, and how best to prevent them, garages can offer their customers a full GDi solution throughout the vehicle’s lifetime.

Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) has been celebrated as a grand achievement by automakers. It’s the latest fuel delivery technology and industry titans tout its better performance and better fuel economy.

It’s not just all industry hype either. GDI engines have produced some impressive results.

One example of GDI success is in the Mazda 3. When Consumer Reports tested its new Skyactiv engine, the gas mileage jumped from 28 mpg to 32 mpg. Cadillac was able to add 34 horsepower to its CTS without sacrificing fuel economy.

Gasoline direct injection has crept into the mainstream and is now seen in more cars than ever. Automakers are convinced–GDI works and it is efficient.

However, that added efficiency comes at a cost. Let’s explore.

Gasoline direct injection engines work by injecting fuel at high pressure directly into the combustion chamber. This is far more precise than older fuel-injection systems or carburetors.

This direct injection results in a more complete combustion and cooler temperatures inside the cylinder. The cooler temperatures allow for a better compression ratio, meaning greater efficiency and power with the same amount of fuel.

Some manufacturers suggest that GDI engines can achieve a 50% increase in low-end torque while also returning a 15% increase in fuel economy.

This might all sound too good to be true. And in a way it is. While the efficiency gains are without a doubt real, GDI technology creates a whole new set of problems.

The main advantage of Gasoline Direct Injection technology, its precision, is also its main drawback.

Many people have complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that their GDI-powered cars experience high rates of fuel system clogging and engine carbon buildup.

The results can be drastic, with some drivers experiencing loss of power and engine stalling. As anyone who has needed engine repair done can tell you, these are not cheap repairs.

Many of the automakers who have employed this technology have stepped up to the plate to try and fix it.

BMW and Kia specifically have issued technical service bulletins to their dealerships urging them to recommend ethanol-free gasoline brands and gasoline with detergents. They have also recommended owners occasionally add a fuel-system cleaner to their vehicle.

Some other automakers have tried some engineering fixes. One example is a modification to the engine that allows it to spray a little fuel onto the valves themselves to act as a solvent and keep them clean.

Still, the best way to keep your GDI engine running cleanly and properly is to practice proper maintenance.

While Gasoline Direct Injection technology might be relatively new, it’s old hat for us. StrutDaddy’s ASE Certified technicians are required to stay up-to-date on all the latest automotive technology.

What is a gdi system? Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) is a sophisticated engine that injects fuel precisely and at very high pressure directly into the combustion chamber. This direct injection provides higher fuel efficiency, higher power output, and significantly lower emissions.