Who?
KlearKarbon was the first specialist workshop in Singapore to offer engine cleaning and maintenance services using the first element in the periodic table - hydrogen.

It has been nearly two years since KlearKarbon established its concept workshop on our island, and it has since gained an accumulating fan base supported by a constant number of growing accolades and testimonials.

Within this period, the workshop has chalked up service requests from 393 different car models spanning 41 makes with only marques like Rolls-Royce, Bentley and McLaren, among less than a handful of others, not gracing the workshop.


Dialysis for the engine
Carbon build-up is a natural occurring process in any I.C.E. power unit, and simply put, decarbonising is the 'dialysis' treatment. A power unit filled with carbon deposits often suffers from the loss of performance and poor fuel economy, among other performance related issues.

Unlike conventional physical or chemical engine overhaul services, KlearKarbon utilises hydrogen gas to clear the carbon deposits in the Internal Combustion Engine (I.C.E.) engine.

Hydrogen gas clears away the deposited carbon in the I.C.E. engine and removes it via the exhaust during the treatment via a gentle and safe chemical conversion. An added advantage is that the decarbonising treatment from KlearKarbon works for both petrol and diesel engines without a fuss.

Although individual results may vary, KlearKarbon's engine decarbonising treatment is proven to reclaim lost performance in your car and improve fuel economy. In return, occupants also benefit from a smoother and quieter commute, and among a long list of benefits, provides an air-con that works more efficiently as the air compressor does not have to work as hard as before.

The firm also claims it has evidence to prove that the O₂ sensor and catalytic converters also benefit from engine decarbonising treatment, although we could not test this claim during the treatment with our Nissan Latio hatchback.

A beefier carbon removal machine
After a year of experimentation with four carbon removal machines, KlearKarbon realised the treatment process is more efficient if a higher volume of hydrogen gas is instilled in the engine.

With this study, KlearKarbon consulted its close technical partners back in Taiwan and since 2013, both firms have constantly exchanged ideas and feedback for improvements to the machine and treatment. Almost a year later, a new and improved carbon removal machine - the HGCR-C - was launched by KlearKarbon.

Slightly larger than its predecessor albeit still retaining a mobile footprint, the output of the HGCR-C (expanded to Hydrogen Carbon Removal - C Series) is more than three times more powerful than its predecessor and has the ability to treat engines up to 4,200c (4.2-litres). The HGCR-C carbon removal machine is 'bespoke' to KlearKarbon in Singapore.

In addition KlearKarbon is also offering an Ultimate Klear treatment for engine capacities up to 20,000cc (20-litres), exclusively at its Specialist Centre at Synergy@KB.

The HGCR-C is punchier and has the muscles to handle the combined workload of three preceding carbon removal machines. As a result, the HGCR-C emits a higher volume of hydrogen gas, and for engine displacement smaller than 3,500cc (3.5-litres), including motorcycles, the treatment time takes no longer than 30 minutes - shorter than the average running time of a Game of Thrones episode. Moreover, the operational cost for the HGCR-C is relatively low as it requires only two parameters: electricity and water.

Hydrogen is a highly combustible element and injecting hydrogen gas into an I.C.E. engine spells disaster, yet the KlearKarbon team assure us that the amount of hydrogen compound produced from the HGCR-C machine is well within safe operating zones. Besides, our own Nissan Latio performed flawlessly post-treatment, and at press time is still up and running without any complications.

Alliance with Bardahl
Recently, KlearKarbon formed an alliance with Bardahl, an American lubricant and additive oil company founded by Norwegian immigrant, Ole Bardahl, in 1939 and still owned and managed by the Bardahl family till date.

Widely known for its participation in the world of motorsports, including NASCAR and IndyCars, and aeronautical sports involving acrobatic planes, Bardahl offers a comprehensive range of products, and entered the local market just in February this year.

Despite being the new kid on the block, Bardahl's wide ranges of products have already been adopted by more than 150 workshops, including specialist workshops such as KlearKarbon.

The primary reason why KlearKarbon chose Bardahl is the quality of the additive in addition to an established history of the brand spanning 75 years.

Moreover, while KlearKarbon's decarbonising machine is proven to work wonders, the carbon removal machine cannot clean the top of the engine's intake valves and injectors. To fill in this void, and to offer customers a complete cleaning and maintenance package, KlearKarbon started utilising Bardahl's injector and intake valve cleaning additive (worth $18 per bottle) to complement the hydrogen treatment process.

Distribution business
Having accumulated two years of experience and customer trust and accolades, KlearKarbon has gained confidence in expanding its business further and the aspiration to spread the benefits of engine decarbonising treatment to the masses.

As such, since October 2014, KlearKarbon has begun to distribute the HGCR-C machine to workshops, via a two-year hire-purchase, while KlearKarbon's concept workshop will, from now, be concentrating on engines up to 20,000cc (20 litres).

Thanks to the extensive acclaim and positive feedback, bundled to a product that is essentially effortless to use, the carbon removal treatment has garnered the interest of several workshops - including Nightz Concepts and Godspeed AutoTechnik - the first two external workshops to offer KlearKarbon’s decarbonising treatment services.

When we quizzed Dave and Lyonel - the people running Nightz Concepts and GodSpeed AutoTechnik respectively - on why they decided to take up KlearKarbon's product, it was peculiar to hear both replying with an identical response, "Because it works!"

When we visited both Nightz Concepts and Godspeed AutoTechnik, it was just a few days since both acquired the HGCR-C machine. Regardless, Nightz Concepts had already served customers running in double digits - despite having only one HGCR-C machine - with mostly just word-of-mouth recommendations and testimonials posted on popular social media sites.

Both Dave and Lyonel praised the benefits of KlearKarbon's hydrogen treatment and admitted they were, in the beginning, sceptical about the treatment process. However, three factors were key for the workshop to adopt KlearKarbon: time conserving and ease of operations, low operation costs and a trusted name supported by a long list of accolades.

Conclusion
Two years ago, KlearKarbon was a small specialist engine maintenance firm that wanted to introduce hydrogen carbon removal treatment to the local automotive market. Having achieved its maiden vision, KlearKarbon is embarking on the next chapter, bringing hydrogen decarbonising treatment to the masses via credible and renowned workshops - starting with Nightz Concepts and GodSpeed AutoTechnik.

For a 30-minute KlearKarbon decarbonising treatment session at a cost of $108, head down to either

1. Nightz Concepts                                                                                                            
50 Serangoon North Ave 4
#02-18
First Centre
Singapore (555856)
Tel: 9003 5540 (Dave)

2. Godspeed AutoTechnik
15 Kaki Bukit Road 4
#01-51
Bartley Biz Centre
Singapore (417808)
Tel: 8228 2877 (Lyonel)

In addition, KlearKarbon is also offering an Ultimate Klear treatment that can only be found in the Specialist Centre, for engine capacities up to 20,000cc (20 litres). For the Ultimate Klear treatment, at $128 per 30-minute session, KlearKarbon can be found at:

25 Kaki Bukit Road 4
#03-66 Synergy@KB
Singapore 417800
Tel: 6702 2847 (Ken)