Hydrogen carbon cleaning
Lost power, rough idling, or fuel use that's crept up for no obvious reason? We clear carbon build-up from your engine with hydrogen carbon cleaning, at your home or workplace — no stripdown needed.
What's actually going wrong
Both petrol and diesel engines build up carbon deposits over time, especially from lots of short journeys or stop-start driving that never lets the engine run hot enough to burn it off naturally. As it builds up on valves, injectors and the intake, you'll notice:
- A gradual loss of power or responsiveness
- Rough or uneven idling
- Higher fuel use than you'd expect
- Hesitation or a rough feel when accelerating
None of this shows up as a warning light on the dash — it's usually a slow, easy-to-miss decline rather than a sudden fault.
What we do about it — and what we don't
We run hydrogen gas through your engine's intake while it's running, which loosens carbon deposits from the valves and combustion chamber so they burn off and clear out through the exhaust. It's a non-invasive process — no dismantling, no engine stripdown — done entirely on your driveway or at your workplace.
This is a different job from walnut blasting, which physically strips carbon off the intake valves rather than burning it away with hydrogen. We'll tell you honestly which one actually suits your engine and its symptoms. Walnut Blasting
Why AK Performance Tuning
Mobile.
Your driveway or workplace, not a garage waiting room.
Adam Kirkland does the work himself.
You speak to the person doing the job, every time.
4.8★
from 146 Google reviews, plus a Gold Customer Service Award on WhoCanFixMyCar.
No unnecessary stripdown.
We use the least invasive fix that actually solves the problem.
Frequently asked questions
Does hydrogen carbon cleaning actually work?
It's effective for the carbon build-up that comes from normal driving — short trips, stop-start traffic, town driving. It won't fix a mechanical fault, and we'll tell you plainly if that's what's actually going on rather than recommending a clean that won't help.
What's the difference between hydrogen carbon cleaning and walnut blasting?
Hydrogen carbon cleaning uses gas to loosen and burn off deposits with the engine running — no dismantling involved. Walnut blasting physically strips carbon off the intake valves and needs the intake removed. Different jobs for different situations. Walnut Blasting
How long does it take?
Typically 30–60 minutes, with the engine running and nothing stripped down.
How much does a hydrogen carbon clean cost?
Every job's priced on your vehicle and what's actually involved, so we don't quote a blanket figure here — but the quote itself is always free, there's no call-out charge, and the work comes with a 12-month guarantee. Call us or send a quote request for an accurate price. Get a Free Quote
Get in touch
Tell us what your car's doing and we'll come and sort it.