Thoughts on this alternative to walnut blasting?

RGP-N54 · 08-19-2017, 05:31 PM

I'm not sure how links work here so i'll post the link as well as the title to the video.

N54 Carbon removal DIY! | Soak and Scrub method | Better than walnut blasting?

The guy in the video uses brake cleaner..any thoughts?

zooch7 · 08-19-2017, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGP-N54

I'm not sure how links work here so i'll post the link as well as the title to the video.

N54 Carbon removal DIY! | Soak and Scrub method | Better than walnut blasting?

The guy in the video uses brake cleaner..any thoughts?

not better. i did soak and scrub. next time i will walnit blast. just quicker and cleana way veyyer.

mweisdorfer · 08-20-2017, 11:30 AM

I have done both methods. Walnut blasting is the way to go. No question.

floydarogers · 08-20-2017, 07:00 PM

Considering that the CBU cleaning method for the diesels (335d, x5d, 328d, etc) have two parts to it, I very much doubt the efficacy of this method.

part 1 requires removing the intake manifold and sending it out for soaking in a hot tank (cleaner). Soaking is going to remove much more CBU than a transient spray of brake cleaner (although the cleaning fluids are probably similar.)
part 2 - and this is why the brake cleaner method is poor - is to use the CBU walnut wands to clean the ports. A transient brake cleaner spray is not going to do as good as walnut blasting.

HCMW Adam · 08-26-2017, 02:50 PM

I did walnut blasting and finished up with brakleen. Blasting took 90% of the crud off quite easily.

asquared · 08-27-2017, 01:58 AM

I've done over 25 Walnut blasts and it's 100% more efficient and easier than this soak and scrub method. I can get the valves almost spotless. Would never waste my time with this

tylerboland01 · 08-27-2017, 08:53 AM

Walnut blasting is the quickest and most efficient way to clean the valves. First round removes 90% of the carbon, hit them with brakeclean and a gun cleaning brush to loosen the really stuck on gunk followed by a second blast and the valves look brand new.

I've done all three of our bimmers, and got the entire job down to 2 hours.

08-19-2017, 05:31 PM	#1
RGP-N54 Private 30 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335i e92 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	Thoughts on this alternative to walnut blasting? I'm not sure how links work here so i'll post the link as well as the title to the video. N54 Carbon removal DIY! \| Soak and Scrub method \| Better than walnut blasting? The guy in the video uses brake cleaner..any thoughts?
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08-20-2017, 11:30 AM	#3
mweisdorfer Major General 1905 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 2007 Black/Black 335i e90 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Holly, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E90 335i [0.00] 2008 bmw x5 [0.00]	I have done both methods. Walnut blasting is the way to go. No question.
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08-20-2017, 07:00 PM	#4
floydarogers Curmudgeon and Pedant 690 Rep 3,489 Posts Drives: 2010 335d, 2014 328d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	Considering that the CBU cleaning method for the diesels (335d, x5d, 328d, etc) have two parts to it, I very much doubt the efficacy of this method. part 1 requires removing the intake manifold and sending it out for soaking in a hot tank (cleaner). Soaking is going to remove much more CBU than a transient spray of brake cleaner (although the cleaning fluids are probably similar.) part 2 - and this is why the brake cleaner method is poor - is to use the CBU walnut wands to clean the ports. A transient brake cleaner spray is not going to do as good as walnut blasting.
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08-26-2017, 02:50 PM	#5
HCMW Adam Private 40 Rep 97 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i [0.00]	I did walnut blasting and finished up with brakleen. Blasting took 90% of the crud off quite easily. __________________ FBO, Vargas Stg 1, lots of cooling and proper maintenance.
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08-27-2017, 01:58 AM	#6
asquared E39 134 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 2000 540i Join Date: May 2016 Location: Las Vegas, NV iTrader: (0)	I've done over 25 Walnut blasts and it's 100% more efficient and easier than this soak and scrub method. I can get the valves almost spotless. Would never waste my time with this
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08-27-2017, 08:53 AM	#7
tylerboland01 Private First Class 53 Rep 151 Posts Drives: 08 335i Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Magnolia, TX iTrader: (0)	Walnut blasting is the quickest and most efficient way to clean the valves. First round removes 90% of the carbon, hit them with brakeclean and a gun cleaning brush to loosen the really stuck on gunk followed by a second blast and the valves look brand new. I've done all three of our bimmers, and got the entire job down to 2 hours.
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