I just finished removing the intake and cleaning my intake valves. There are some good you tube videos, but I’ll just offer my lessons learned.

- replace the intake gaskets.
- remove the throttle body before trying to remove the intake and clean it with you have it off.
- walnut blast for sure, I used the harbor freight blaster and it worked great. I did a little with picks and CRC intake valve cleaner, but 95% was just blasting.
- a 25 lb bag of crushed walnut shells is plenty, you can reuse it just strain it through the strainer cup that comes with the blasting gun.
- cover the engine with a sheet of plastic and mask it to the head and most of the walnut shells will collect in front of the engine.
- I used aluminum tape for masking. Worked great, but clean off the tape residue with acetone.

 

Not in my skill set

 

Year?
Engine?
Miles/kms/hours?

I assume you were wise enough to use eye protection and a respirator.

Enquiring minds want to know.

 

Not answering your question that was for the OP but wanted to mention...
This service is so time consuming that we don't even offer it anymore. After having to resolve and at our expense and nothing having to do with the service but for customer satisfaction that phrase " that before the carbon cleaning service it that never sounded, ran, etc., (all bad and you name it right down to smell funny) " !
Not to mention no matter how careful we are and had a special portable soft shed to do the service it was a mess.....

 

Same here. Wayyyy past me.

 

It is VERY easy to do simple bolt off bolt back on parts. However time consuming and totally mess making don't let anyone fool you into thinking its not.

 

So if it's not an offering then what is the approved method of cleaning the carbon deposits?

 

not sure if the wording "approved" is accurate.
The service is not even taught by any professional auto mechanical institution (that I am aware of) and I am pretty sure not taught to any auto manufactures for their automotive Technica training program.
This is why the cost often varies considerably with the few shops that offer or are willing to do this type of service.

 

I had a 2010 Mini Cooper S for years. The local Mini shop had a walnut blasting kit designed for the Mini. Had it done at 45k or so. Wow, must have given it 20 hp. Day and night difference. He also took before and after pics. Best $375 I've ever spent.

Having said all of that. Is there anything we can do to prevent carbon build up? Only use Premium (already do that). Any additives? SeaFoam though the air side (vacuum)? And also, how often should carbon blasting be done.

 

Nicely done, Sstearns2. Thanks for sharing this with us............................. Frank