Walnut Blasting

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Walnut Blasting Carbon Removal

Walnut blasting is a highly effective engine cleaning method used to remove carbon deposits from intake valves and intake tracts. It involves blasting finely crushed walnut shell granules into the intake system at high pressure, dislodging built-up carbon without damaging metal surfaces.
This process is particularly beneficial for direct injection engines, where fuel no longer washes over the intake valves, leading to carbon accumulation that can reduce performance, throttle response, and fuel efficiency. Walnut blasting is a safe, non-corrosive, and manufacturer-approved method for restoring lost power and improving engine efficiency. 🚗💨

Walnut Blasting Wales

Why Walnut Blasting is the Ultimate Solution for Carbon Removal

When it comes to removing carbon deposits from intake valves, walnut blasting is the most effective and safest method available. Unlike chemical-based cleaning methods, walnut blasting physically removes stubborn carbon build-up without introducing any harmful residues into the engine.

Our Equipment – Sourced Directly from BMW

At Llandow Tuning, we use specialist walnut blasting equipment sourced directly from BMW—the very same tools used by BMW dealerships to service high-performance M engines. This ensures factory-level precision, guaranteeing the best possible cleaning results without risk of engine damage.

BMW Walnut Blasting Equipment

Why Chemical Cleaners Don’t Work

  • ❌ Incomplete Cleaning
    Chemical cleaners rely on softening carbon deposits, but thick, baked-on deposits on direct injection intake valves don’t simply "wash away."

  • ❌ Lack of Precision
    Chemical sprays and fuel additives don’t reach all areas of the intake in a controlled way. Walnut blasting, on the other hand, targets the most affected areas.

  • ❌ Pushed by Workshops Without Proper Equipment
    Chemical cleaning is often promoted by garages that haven’t invested in the correct equipment for walnut blasting, relying on ineffective "quick-fix" solutions.

  • ❌ Overpriced
    Most chemical cleaning machines are using cheap fluid in a fancy box to confuse consumers and to some degree garages in to thinking they are doing more.

Chemical Cleaning vs Walnut Blasting

The Danger of Chemical Cleaning – Carbon Falling into the Engine

The biggest risk of chemical-based cleaning is that it can cause large carbon chunks to break off and fall directly into the engine. If these deposits are not fully expelled, they can:

  • ⚠️ Get trapped in the combustion chamber, leading to pre-ignition, knocking, and engine damage.
  • ⚠️ Pass through the turbocharger, potentially damaging turbine blades.
  • ⚠️ Block fuel injectors or valves, leading to rough idling, misfires, and loss of power.

With walnut blasting, carbon deposits are removed externally using suction and extraction tools—ensuring deposits do not pass through the engine. This means zero risk of contamination, making it the safest and most thorough method available.

Carbon Falling Into Engine Risk

We've blanked out the name of the product that removed carbon that then destoryed the engine.

Before & After – See the Difference

⬇️ BEFORE: Carbon build-up restricting airflow
Before Walnut Blasting
⬇️ AFTER: Clean intake valves restored to factory condition
After Walnut Blasting

The Walnut Blasting Advantage

  • ✔️ Restores lost power, fuel efficiency, and throttle response.
  • ✔️ Safe for all direct injection engines, without risk of engine damage.
  • ✔️ Uses manufacturer-approved equipment sourced from BMW.
  • ✔️ Unlike chemicals, completely removes carbon instead of sending it through the engine.
  • ✔️ The industry’s most effective and proven method for carbon removal.

If you suspect carbon build-up is affecting your engine’s performance, contact us today to book a walnut blasting treatment and restore your engine’s efficiency!

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Most Common Vehicles That Suffer from Carbon Build-Up

Carbon build-up is a major issue in direct injection petrol and diesel engines, as they lack the fuel-washing effect of traditional port-injected systems. Over time, soot, oil vapors, and unburnt hydrocarbons accumulate in the intake manifold, intake valves, and EGR system, restricting airflow and reducing performance. Below is a list of the most affected vehicles , including both petrol and diesel engines.

🔴 BMW & MINI

Petrol Engines

  • ✅ BMW 135i, 335i, 535i, 740i, X3, X5, X6 – N54 / N55 3.0L Turbo
  • ✅ BMW M3 (E90/E92/E93, F80) – 4.0L V8 (S65)
  • ✅ BMW M5, M6 (E60, F10, F12, F13) – 5.0L V10 (S85) & 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 (S63)
  • ✅ BMW 116i, 118i, 120i, 320i, 520i – N43 / N53 4-cylinder petrol engines
  • ✅ BMW B48/B58 – New Gen 4-Cylinder & 6-Cylinder Petrol Turbo
  • ✅ Mini Cooper S, JCW (R56, F56) – 1.6L & 2.0L Turbocharged (N14 / N18)

Diesel Engines

  • ✅ BMW 118d, 120d, 320d, 520d – N47 2.0 Diesel
  • ✅ BMW 325d, 330d, 530d, 730d, X3, X5, X6 – N57 3.0 Diesel
  • ✅ BMW 640d, 740d, X5 40d, X6 40d – N57 Twin-Turbo 3.0 Diesel
  • ✅ BMW 530d, 730d, X5 30d, X7 40d – B57 3.0 Diesel
BMW Carbon Build-Up

🔵 VAG Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Porsche)

Petrol Engines

  • ✅ Audi A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, Q5, Q7 – 2.0 TFSI & 3.0 TFSI
  • ✅ Audi S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, RS3, RS4, RS5 – 2.5 TFSI & 4.2 V8 FSI
  • ✅ Volkswagen Golf GTI, Golf R – 2.0 TFSI (EA113 / EA888)
  • ✅ Volkswagen Scirocco R – 2.0 TFSI
  • ✅ Porsche 911 (991/992) – 3.0 Twin-Turbo DI

Diesel Engines

  • ✅ Volkswagen Passat, Tiguan – 2.0 TDI EA288
  • ✅ Skoda Octavia, Superb, Kodiaq – 2.0 TDI
  • ✅ Porsche Cayenne Diesel, Macan Diesel – 3.0 TDI
Audi Volkswagen Carbon Build-Up

🔴 Mazda

  • ✅ Mazda 3, 6, CX-5 – 2.0 / 2.5 SkyActiv-G Petrol
  • ✅ Mazda 6, CX-5 – 2.2 SkyActiv-D Diesel
Mazda Carbon Build-Up

🔴 KIA / Hyundai

Petrol Engines

  • ✅ Hyundai i30N, Veloster N – 2.0T GDi
  • ✅ Kia Stinger GT – 3.3L Twin-Turbo V6 GDi
  • ✅ Hyundai i20N – 1.6T GDi

Diesel Engines

  • ✅ Hyundai Santa Fe, Tucson, i40, i30 – 1.6 CRDi / 2.0 CRDi
  • ✅ Kia Sportage, Sorento – 1.6 / 2.0 CRDi
KIA Hyundai Carbon Build-Up

🟠 Land Rover / Jaguar

Petrol Engines

  • ✅ Jaguar F-Type, XE, XF – 2.0 Ingenium Petrol
  • ✅ Range Rover Velar, Evoque – 2.0 Ingenium Petrol
  • ✅ Jaguar XJ, F-Pace – 3.0 Supercharged V6

Diesel Engines

  • ✅ Range Rover, Discovery, Defender – 3.0 TDV6 / SDV6 Diesel
  • ✅ Jaguar XE, XF – 2.0 Ingenium Diesel
Land Rover Jaguar Carbon Build-Up

🔵 Ford

Petrol Engines

  • ✅ Ford Focus ST / RS (MK2 & MK3) – 2.5L & 2.3L EcoBoost
  • ✅ Ford Fiesta ST (MK7 & MK8) – 1.6 & 1.5 EcoBoost
  • ✅ Ford Mustang (2015+) – 2.3L EcoBoost & 5.0L Coyote

Diesel Engines

  • ✅ Ford Ranger – 2.0 / 3.2 TDCi Diesel
  • ✅ Ford Mondeo, Kuga, S-Max – 1.6 & 2.0 TDCi
Ford Carbon Build-Up

Ford Ecoboost Carbon Build up

🟡 Peugeot / Citroën / Opel / Vauxhall

Petrol Engines

  • ✅ Peugeot 207 GTI / 208 GTI – 1.6 THP (Prince Engine)
  • ✅ Citroën DS3, DS4, DS5 – 1.6 THP
  • ✅ Vauxhall Astra, Corsa, Insignia – 1.6 Turbo Direct Injection

Diesel Engines

  • ✅ Peugeot 308, 508, 5008 – 1.6 & 2.0 HDi
  • ✅ Opel / Vauxhall Insignia, Zafira – 1.6 & 2.0 CDTi
Peugeot Citroën Opel Vauxhall Carbon Build-Up

🔴 Mercedes-Benz

Petrol Engines

  • ✅ C-Class (C200, C250, C300, C350) – M271, M274, & M276
  • ✅ AMG Models – C63, E63, S63 – 4.0L & 5.5L V8 Biturbo

Diesel Engines

  • ✅ Mercedes C220d, C250d – OM651 2.1L Diesel
  • ✅ Mercedes ML350, GLE350 – OM642 3.0 V6 Diesel
Mercedes-Benz Carbon Build-Up

🔵 Toyota / Lexus

Petrol Engines

  • ✅ Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ – 2.0 FA20 Boxer Engine
  • ✅ Toyota GR Yaris / GR Corolla – 1.6 G16E-GTS Turbo

Diesel Engines

  • ✅ Toyota Hilux, Land Cruiser – 2.8L 1GD-FTV Diesel
  • ✅ Toyota Avensis, RAV4 – 2.0 & 2.2 D4D Diesel
Toyota Lexus Carbon Build-Up

If you own one of these vehicles and notice loss of power, rough idle, poor fuel economy, or misfires, carbon build-up may be the issue.

At Llandow Tuning, we offer walnut blasting, ultrasonic cleaning, and intake system cleaning services to restore your engine’s efficiency.

Book Your Carbon Cleaning Service

Common Fault Codes Associated with Carbon Build-Up

Carbon build-up in direct injection petrol and diesel engines can lead to misfires, air intake restrictions, EGR issues, and poor fuel combustion. Below is a list of engine fault codes (P-codes) that are commonly associated with carbon deposits on intake valves, EGR clogging, and air metering issues.

Misfire-Related Fault Codes

Code Description
P0300Random / Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0301Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P0302Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
P0303Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0304Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
P0305Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected
P0306Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected
P0307Cylinder 7 Misfire Detected
P0308Cylinder 8 Misfire Detected
P0316Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions)

MAF / MAP Sensor & Airflow-Related Fault Codes

Code Description
P0101Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF) Performance Issue
P0102Mass Airflow Sensor Circuit Low Input
P0103Mass Airflow Sensor Circuit High Input
P0104Mass Airflow Sensor Circuit Intermittent
P0068Throttle Body / MAF Sensor Correlation Issue
P0069MAP / Barometric Pressure Correlation Issue
P1101Intake Airflow System Performance (Common on GM & Ford)

EGR System & Intake Manifold Fault Codes

Code Description
P0400Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Flow Malfunction
P0401Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Flow Insufficient
P0402Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Flow Excessive
P0403Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Control Circuit Malfunction
P0404Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Circuit Performance
P0405Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Sensor A Circuit Low
P0406Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Sensor A Circuit High

Turbo & Boost-Related Fault Codes

Code Description
P0299Turbo / Supercharger Underboost Condition
P0234Turbo / Supercharger Overboost Condition
P2262Turbo Boost Pressure Not Detected - Mechanical Issue

Fuel Trim & Oxygen Sensor Fault Codes

Code Description
P0171Fuel Trim System Too Lean (Bank 1)
P0172Fuel Trim System Too Rich (Bank 1)
P0174Fuel Trim System Too Lean (Bank 2)
P0175Fuel Trim System Too Rich (Bank 2)
P2195O2 Sensor Signal Biased / Stuck Lean (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
P2196O2 Sensor Signal Biased / Stuck Rich (Bank 1 Sensor 1)
P2197O2 Sensor Signal Biased / Stuck Lean (Bank 2 Sensor 1)
P2198O2 Sensor Signal Biased / Stuck Rich (Bank 2 Sensor 1)

Throttle Body & Intake Manifold Fault Codes

Code Description
P0506Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected
P0507Idle Control System RPM Higher Than Expected
P2111Throttle Actuator Control System - Stuck Open
P2112Throttle Actuator Control System - Stuck Closed

If you're experiencing engine misfires, hesitation, rough idle, or EGR faults, carbon build-up could be the root cause.

At Llandow Tuning, we offer walnut blasting, ultrasonic cleaning, and intake system cleaning services to restore your engine’s efficiency.

Book Your Carbon Cleaning Service