Volkswagen Tiguan carbon buildup causing dead cylinders, no new engine needed on Volkswagen Tiguan

Some Volkswagen Tiguan owners, particularly those with models from 2009 to 2016, report experiencing carbon buildup issues in the TSI direct injection engine. This problem arises because the fuel does not flow through the intake system to clean the injectors, leading to carbon deposits in critical areas. As a result, some owners have found it necessary to replace cylinders and valves affected by this buildup, as cleaning these components is not officially recommended by Volkswagen. Additionally, the design of direct injection engines makes them more susceptible to carbon buildup due to the direct injection of fuel and the PCV system burning oil deposits without mixing with gasoline. To manage carbon buildup, some owners have reported that removing the intake manifold for cleaning can be an effective solution, though it may cost under $900 USD. Others have found that using a catch can to condense crankcase vapors can significantly reduce carbon buildup. Owners should also anticipate the need for carbon cleaning within the life cycle of their engines, especially for turbo models. While newer 2018+ B-cycle engines may experience reduced carbon fouling, running higher octane fuel like 91 instead of 85 has been suggested to help mitigate buildup. Overall, while addressing carbon buildup is essential for maintaining engine performance, it may not always require a new engine, and regular maintenance can help prevent these issues.