For those who have done their own intake valve cleaning, how much walnut shell media did you use? Is the 25# pack that comes with the kits enough or should I get more?

My valves at 59k are as bad as the ones I can find online -- surprised that some of the cylinders even run. Did some mechanical cleaning with a rifle bore brush, followed by some Seafoam, but I know they still need a complete cleaning to get it back in the right condition. I'm up for buying one of the $250 kits that have the blasting set plus the intake adapter, but would like to make sure I have enough media without having to stop mid-cleaning and get more media.

Thanks, Iz

 

Seem to recall reading that people were using a 25lb bag with leftovers.

Here is a great how to on a BMW. https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3Ta.../preview?pli=1

 

thank you!

 

I bought the 25lb box from Harbor Freight and I doubt I used even half of it. And that included a lot of waste while I figured out a good technique.

 

Did you build your own blaster (modify a HF gun with an extended tip) or buy the kit?

 

I personally do not recommend it for the reasons below. If you are sure to do it, CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN the chamber when you finish. good luck

 

You don't recommend the blasting or, which part? If you blast, make sure you clean the chambers completely?

I was going to try putting a compression tester fitting into the sparkplug hole and push air back through the cylinder after blasting and cleaning. If I rotate the engine backwards, I can get the intake valve open and let it push anything from the cylinder back out the intake.

 

the part that while you are blasting and collecting the shells on the other end. these particles are now covered with carbon and sticky too. perhaps you can add some sort of liquid cleaner with the shells so they dont stick anywhere. also good point to being the piston to TDC.

 

Made my own with the Harbor Freight blaster.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ing-parts.html

 

Beautiful, thank you!

 

AutoCoarsen, thanks again -- made my rig up just as you described. Ended up not using the vacuum adapter 100% of the time as I just couldn't get the angles right and my valves were horrid caked.

Incredible how much more acceleration the car has now.