RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

I am looking to get the carbon cleaning done on my RS4 sometime over the next few months to get ready for summer.

Can anyone refer me to a great shop/mechanic that could be trusted to do a very good cleaning of the valves? Hopefully with a previous experience as reference.

I am located in Oakville, but would be more than willing to enjoy a drive out to toronto and surrounding region for the right place.

Thanks,

Sam

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

Mark at Independent Tuning did my carbon clean. He did a really good job, it took 8-10 hours worth of work. www.independenttuning.ca/

Also, Engineered Automotive has done at least one clean (one of their employees has an RS4) and they service about 6 or 7 other RS4s. The only downside is they charge at least $115/hr but I know that they took 14-16 hours to clean out the car they did. Ask for Roy Deyoung and tell him Eli sent you. www.engineeredautomotive.com

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

https://www.audiforum.ca/audi-s-rs-models-12/2007-rs4-carbon-cleaning-67680/


Recently had my done by a independant shop in Mississauga,
Price point is very very reasonable. They cleaned even within the intake manifold.
The cleaning was very meticulous, couldn't be more happy with the job they did.
Above is the thread I posted with pictures throughout the cleaning process.

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

I agree with independent tuning. They have been servicing my audi s4 2004 since i got it and I more than happy with the work. In my first visit I really liked how clean their garage is. Feels like their are working on jet engine in there... :-)

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

can you post the price you paid? Don't be shy..it's just part of the maintenance required for an RS4 . It would really help the rest of us evaluate these places. Thanks.

Where was that? Please say AutoScan...I want to give that guy some business.

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

It took Mark @ Independent Tuning 9-10 hours and he is in the $85/hr range IIRC.

Engineered Automotive took 14 hours on their car and they charge $115/hr.

You should do an oil change at the same time. If it is your first carbon clean then I would recommend that you also change your fuel filter and spark plugs.

At the end of the day, any skilled mechanic can do the job but it's better to go with someone who has experience with this because a lot of problems can arise if it's not done correctly, ie. scored walls.

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

All good advice J.A. Thanks.

14 hrs at $115 is kinda insane isn't it? That's $1610+tax!

I.T. sounds reasonable.

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

Hey Saki, long time - hope the RS is treating you well. I realize most wouldn't be interested in venturing away from the centre of the universe but an affordable alternative would be to take a road trip to Ottawa and visit Bryan's new shop. I'd be happy to work something out for you at one of our suite hotels ...

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

hey there. Still loving the TTS?

who is bryan? how many RS4s has he carbon cleaned?

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

Yup, although I really miss the Millteked RS4 sound, I haven't looked back. The nimble and quick ride (stage II provides similar stats to stock TTRS) should be a blast on the track next month.

Bryan Rodgers (formerly of IT) moved to Ottawa and now has opened up a small shop. Don't know how many he's done but definitely trust him.

http://www.facebook.com/RodgersPerformance

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

TTS stage II = TTRS???

maybe on race gas+meth or something. Pump though I'd say that'd be a tall order for the K04. Race gas is kinda irrelevant though since just about nobody cruises around on $3/litre fuel in their daily driver.

Although it's easy to forget they only weigh like 3200 lbs.

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

No meth or race gas for me. DSG helps things along and others with similar mods have timed their jaunts to 60 mph in the 4.3 to 4.4 range. That's certainly in the stock TTRS territory :) One of these days I'll hook up VCDS and time mine ...

One thing for sure, I was able to keep up with a new M3 at Calabogie Motorsports this past Monday and the only spot I didn't get to test things where I assume he would have pulled on me was the long straight where I was able to hit 180 km/hr (he bailed early).

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

4.3-4.4 seconds to 60mph is certainly quick...stock RS4 quick.

Not stock TTRS quick though, the TTRS is capable of 3.9-4.0 second 0-60 mph times.

Anyway, 0-60 is not really a measurement that I'd use to say my car is equal to X car...as I said the RS4 jumps out to 60 mph in 4.3-4.4 seconds which is previous generation M5 and RS6 fast...however those cars would murder me in a 1/4 mile or longer race. I'd have a chance to hang with them for about 200-250 feet...and then it's curtains.

Have a look at some quarter mile times. TTRS runs low 12s at 110-112 mph. A TTS on a K04 and pump fuel will be hard pressed to match that.

It really depends on drivers at a track day. Even at the dragstrip. Here's a video of me vs. a MB AMG C63. That car should crush my bone stock B7 RS4...but I beat him by buslengths. A few of them. Same with the E93 M3 that was there that day...they couldn't come close to my times but they should both have had an edge on the RS4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYhGs3NeaQk

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

Can anybody recommend a shop on the westcoast (Vancouver) that has experience in IM carbon cleaning?

And, is there a way to know if I really need it? I bought my '07 RS4 in 2008 with 15,000 kms (now 58,000). I do 2 or 3 track days a year and push it pretty hard, but the rest of the time, it's mostly city driving and not a lot since I walk to work. It feels like it has less power than when I was first got it, but not sure if that's because I've gotten used to the power. When I first bought my RS4, I was stepping up from a 287 hp 350Z so I was in heaven everytime I punched the throttle on the RS4. Today, it still feels good, but the pull doesn't feel as impressive, but again, not sure if it's because I've gotten used to it.

Re: RS4 IM Carbon Cleaning
 

If you pm me I can give you some pointers on some logging tests you can do with vagcom and I'll be able to tell pretty much instantly if you have enough carbon to warrant a cleaning

With that said, I don't think carbon buildup is nearly as bad for performance as people make it out to be. My car bone stock went 12.75 @ 108.3, and later in the year went 12.83 @ 109.9. It has never been carbon cleaned and had 50,000-70,000 kms on it over that period of dragstrip passes.

That is the fastest MPH and ET of any stock RS4 on any quartermile track on earth. So I can't really make a huge case for carbon being a performance killer. Looks much more dramatic on the dyno than in actual acceleration testing.

If people care about dynos, definitely get carbon cleaned once a year. If they care about driving fast, don't spend too much time sweating it. I would get it done ever couple of years just for cleanliness so we don't have chunks of carbon making their way into the cylinders and scoring cylinder walls. Other wise, no biggie.