Has anyone tried using a soda blaster to remove deposits from intake valves on an N18? My Snap-On dealer sold me a soda blaster for about 140.00 a couple weeks ago, said it would do the same as walnut blasting, and the "soda" material will dissolve if any is left in the combustion chamber after the cleaning. No, this is not "soda" like you would drink, more like a fine white powder. In a bag. Kinda looks like a bag of cocaine, but what would I know about that? LOL. I have not even pulled my intake to inspect the valves, nor do I have any issues. Just thinking that at almost 90k miles, maybe time for a cleaning? Back to my original question....anyone tried soda-blasting intake valves? If so, what were the results? Thanks in advance....

 

Thinking that is basically baking soda that is a mild base not acid. Would think that would work.

 

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the dealer should give you some sort of instruction how to use it. not just sell sell sell!

 

I have tried soda in my blasting cabinet. It works but not as fast as other mediums. It is less abrasive.
Sorry I know thats not much help.

 

Sodium carbonate, baking soda is an abrasive, it will dissolve in water, but do you want to spray water, mixed with baking soda, into your engine? I wouldn't.

Crushed walnut shells are flammable, Ph neutral and will burn off, if any happen to get into the cylinder, that is why they use crushed walnut shell to decarbonize the intake valves.

 

Soda blasting media should work fine. It may have a shorter shelf life than walnut shells.


If you do use it for valve cleaning, please provide some feedback here. I've considered using it myself.