When direct injection came onto the scene 10 to 15 years ago, it seemed to cure many of the world’s problems, offering more power and improved fuel economy. Where traditional injection setups squirt the fuel into the intake port, direct injection delivers a very precise amount of fuel right into the combustion chamber.
But a problem tended to crop up: …
So, those with GDI engines, what are you finding? All going well? Using some kind of intake cleaner? Is walnut shell blasting part of your maintenance schedule?
In reply to David S. Wallens :
Not every DI engine suffer from intake system deposits the same. Some are really bad some barely have any.
With R56 MINI's the answer is a catch can system.
I hate to say it but "Staff Writer" really phoned that article in. I clicked the link genuinely interested in a solution and was instead told to buy gasoline that won't have any effect and then a "perhaps these chemicals we have no experience with might help"
Cool, another Sunoco advertisement. 
Trent said:With R56 MINI's the answer is a catch can system.
I hate to say it but "Staff Writer" really phoned that article in. I clicked the link genuinely interested in a solution and was instead told to buy gasoline that won't have any effect and then a "perhaps these chemicals we have no experience with might help"
Agreed.
People: What's the solution to DI engine sludge build up?
"Staff Writer:" lol ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
About as good advice as: Buy a new car that has both direct and port injection so you get the best of both worlds:)
In the Korean world catch cans are a lifesaver. Seafoam through the pcv hose helps. On some honda vehicles a friend that runs an independent shop does he walnut shell treatment but pulling the intakes.
Monitor oil consumption. Use a catch can if you can and keep a fresh PCV valve on. If it's been ignored too long original seafoam or GM Top engine cleaner works decently but makes a helluva smoke show. Finally you can have a shop (or if you're adventurous) use walnut shells to blast the valves/ports.
EDIT: maybe I need to start writing for y'all
I've run a couple of cans of this stuff through the Expedition:
It's honestly hard to know how much of a difference it's made without getting a borescope and peeking down into the heads. At 85k miles, the truck still runs great, makes (seemingly) full power and gets the same crappy fuel economy it always has. The one symptom of buildup that it does have is that it idles rough when it's cold. I've looked into walnut blasting. Interestingly, it was easier for me to find places that do do that for VW and BMW engines around here than my Ecoboost 3.5, which is in approximately a zillion vehicles in the Detroit area.
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