Do you really need to walnut blast your intake manifold and intake valves?

Unlike on cars with port injection, where carbon deposits are constantly cleaned off of the intake valves, and runners, cars that use direct injection do not have this luxury. Over time, those carbon deposits build up into a thick layer that can cause some serious issues. That build-up restricts the airflow to your engine and reduces its ability to "breathe." Imagine having a cold and being "stuffed up." Walnut blasting is your car's decongestant. Some of the symptoms of heavy carbon buildup are:

• Noticeable loss in performance

• Check engine light on/won't pass emissions

• Poor fuel economy

• Rough running

After your intake manifold and intake valves have been cleaned, you should immediately start seeing the benefits. You can expect a smoother idle, lower fuel consumption, smoother throttle response, and even additional horsepower gains. 

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So, how does walnut blasting work?

Walnut blasting is recognized as one of the safest and most efficient methods of removing carbon buildup from your car's intake manifold and intake valves. Nearly all direct-injected engines will need this process completed semi-regularly throughout the life of the car. The process of walnut blasting is comprised of using crushed walnut shells propelled by compressed air to "chip away" at the carbon build-up. The walnut shells themselves are softer than the metal of your intake manifold and valves, which means that they won't cause damage while being hard enough to remove the deposits. 

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How often should you walnut blast your intake manifold and intake valves?

This completely depends on the way in which you drive your car. If you're letting your car fully come up to temperature and then revving out the engine through its entire RPM range, then you'll likely have less buildup than someone who only has a three-minute commute to work. However, it is still recommended that on a brand new car, you walnut blast the intake manifold and intake valves somewhere between 25,000-50,000 miles. After that first initial cleaning, you shouldn't need to for another 40,000-50,000 miles. 

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Below are a few before and after photos.