Walnut blasting
Lost power, rough running, or a mechanic's already told you it's carbon on the intake valves? We strip it off with walnut blasting, at your home or workplace.
What's actually going wrong
Direct-injection petrol engines are especially prone to carbon building up on the intake valves, because fuel doesn't wash over them the way it does in older engines. Over time that build-up narrows the airflow into the cylinders, and you'll notice:
- A gradual loss of power or throttle response
- Rough or uneven idling
- Hesitation on acceleration
- A mechanic flagging carbon on the valves during a diagnostic
It's a slow build-up rather than a sudden fault, so it's easy to put down to "the car just feels a bit tired" until it's diagnosed properly.
What we do about it — and what we don't
We use crushed walnut shell, blasted directly onto the intake valves, to physically strip the carbon off without damaging the metal underneath. It's a targeted job specific to the valves themselves.
This is a different process from hydrogen carbon cleaning, which clears carbon from across the engine using gas rather than a physical blast — we'll tell you honestly which one actually fits your engine and its symptoms. Hydrogen Carbon Cleaning
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.
The right fix for the right engine.
We won't recommend walnut blasting when hydrogen cleaning would do the job.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between walnut blasting and hydrogen carbon cleaning?
Walnut blasting physically strips carbon off the intake valves using crushed walnut shell — it needs the intake removed. Hydrogen carbon cleaning loosens and burns off deposits across the engine with the engine running, no dismantling involved. Hydrogen Carbon Cleaning
Does walnut blasting damage the engine?
No — done properly, it removes carbon without damaging the valves or surrounding metal. It's a controlled, targeted process rather than an abrasive general clean.
How much does walnut blasting 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
Which cars need walnut blasting?
Direct-injection petrol engines are the most common candidates, since they're most prone to intake valve carbon build-up. Tell us the make and model and we'll confirm whether it's the right fix.
Get in touch
Tell us what your car's doing and we'll come and take a look.