So, Terraclean...


I did not use this company, they were the first page that popped up when searching for Terraclean benefits...

£108 + VAT for the fuel system treatment. I was sceptical before, but having heard lots of good reports, along with the additional benefit of carbon removal from the combustion chamber, my curiosity got the better of me... I even took injector readings with my IID to see if there was a difference in the way the PCM reported the car was running. Note the high readings on injectors 5/6



Had it done 11 days ago, and run 2 tanks of fuel through the car since it was done.

Took best part of 2 and a half hours to carry out on a cold and frosty morning. The car was already up to temperature when I arrived.
Not only could the operator not get the fuel pipes off the HPFP, he also could not find the correct pipes to fit. He did bodge something together, but I was not filled with confidence at this point. He also didn't know how to isolate the fuel pump, having claimed to have done a few 2.7's already...

So, eventually the machine was up and running, and the engine was running on a 50/50 mix of "premium" diesel and Terraclean cleaning agent. 20 mins of running at fast idle, followed by a 20 minute "soak" period, and another 20 minute fast idle

The car stunk. This is normal he claimed. It is normal, my car doesn't have a cat fitted
To achieve fast idle, a pole is inserted between the throttle pedal and the seat. Occasionally the revs would increase and decrease of their own accord. This was due to the cleaning process. Nothing to do with the TDV6 throttle pedal

Didn't smoke any more or any less before, during or after the treatment. Pipes disconnected, fuel pump reinstated, and was told to give it a good, hard run, after spelling fuel all over the engine, which smelled suspiciously like Kerosene, as found in injector cleaners

Initial impressions were

The car behaved exactly as before.

No better starting. In fact, it made it a little lumper on a cold start
No quieter running. It's a big Diesel engine, it's not going to be particularly quiet
Smoother idle and pick up. It idled fine when warm, so no difference. Pick up was no different, but the car has an Alive remap already
Improved power and torque. The bum dyno reported no significant gains. Gary @ Alive is planning on doing some Before + After dyno runs at some point in the not too distant future, I believe
Improved economy. Fuel economy stayed exactly the same, at 25.5-26mpg over those 2 tanks with similar driving and routes. I saw a better increase in economy with previously mentioned remap
Less exhaust smoke. It is fairly smokey anyway with no cat, no EGR, and a remap. No significant reduction was noted
Reduction in flat spots. Again, remap made a much bigger difference to this

Lower emissions, reduced carbon build up and prolonged engine life are all subjective.
Emissions are tested once a year, and any car that fails the test has issues. Normally, a dose of injector cleaner and a good thrashing cleans them right up
Reduced carbon build up is unseen, and cannot be judged
Engine life is determined by servicing. Neglect the servicing, and it will cause you issues. Terraclean won't fix a worn engine...


Honestly? It was £130 wasted, IMHO

However...

TDV8Mat wrote:

The Terraclean process atomises carbon deposits, so effectively turns the carbon into vapour, which is in turn exits through the exhaust.

I have done 200-300 Terracleans, and I always ask for feedback when they have driven the car for a few weeks/miles. Everyone who has had it done has seen improvements in at least one area, whether it be MPG or throttle response etc.

It is very easy to slate this product - but I find 99% of people who do - haven't had it done

Interesting, maybe it is a case of 'wanting it to work'? I'm sticking with my initial comments though, my T5 definately ran quiter and felt livelier.

The placebo effect can be every bit as as powerful as the real thing.  Visiting from DISCO3.CO.UK
2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 Auto HSE Zambezi Silver

Fair do's Mikey - can't argue with that. I guess on some individual engines it works better than others 2016 RRS SVR Estoril Blue

I imagine if its a town car, that never gets a chance to get hot, or worked hard, then a bigger difference would be felt

My car is out on the road pretty much every day, doing 30k+ a year, and it does work hard

Who knows. My advice, is put the money towards a remap. Much better

[quote="Disco_Mikey"]So, Terraclean...



What a great post. Fantastic detailed research. Where else could we possibly receive such dedicated commitment regarding our vehicles. And It's free..............

It would be great to do this level of testing with a low milage, city car.

I now always use premium fuel as I only do 5,000 miles a year. I hope it helps, but who knows? L405 P400e Autobiography (MY2020)... Silicon Silver / Espresso
RRS TDV6 HSE Lux (MY2011)... Nara Bronze / Arabica - now gone!

That's really usefull feedback Mike
Thanks for putting your money where your mouth is and having it done.
I'm even more convinced now that It's just not worth it  Bodsys Brake Bible
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