Decoding BMW Walnut Blasting: Cleaning Your Engine for Peak Performance
BMW is known for its more powerful engines and precision engineering, but even these engines require maintenance and cleaning to keep them operating to peak performance. To maintain BMW engines, we employ a cutting-edge process that cleans the engine and restores its original power. Quality Import Services in Elkhart IN uses walnut blasting to clean the inside of the engine of carbon buildup and oil.
What is Carbon Buildup?
Carbon deposits form due to the combustion process in the engine – where fuel and air mix, ignite by a spark and then burn. Throughout the combustion process, carbon particles from the fuel and oil adhere themselves to the engine’s pistons, intake valves and ports, and other parts. As the carbon deposits build up, they create a hard coating on the engine’s internal parts. Over time, carbon buildup causes many engine problems, including:
- Reduced efficiency as they restrict air flowing into the combustion chamber.
- Power loss occurs when carbon builds up on the intake valves and interrupts the smooth flow of fuel and air.
- Engine knock, or detonation, which could damage the engine’s internal workings.
- Increased emissions.
Why Carbon Builds Up in BMW Engines
Carbon builds up in all engines, but more so in any engine with direct injection, such as most BMW engines. Unlike traditional engines, which mix fuel and air before they reach the cylinder, allowing fuel to clean the valves, direct injection engines introduce fuel directly into the cylinder, bypassing this cleaning step.
Bosch introduced the direct injection technology in 1951, aiming to increase fuel efficiency by cooling the chambers with fuel. Direct injection also creates higher engine compression and increased efficiency, leading to more torque.
As a result of fuel being directly injected into the chambers, there is no fuel flowing past the intake valves to clean them of carbon buildup.
What is Walnut Blasting?
Using crushed walnut shells to clean the inside of an engine came from the aviation industry. Over time, automotive technicians started using the process because it is so effective in getting carbon buildup out of engines.
Walnut blasting works because of the abrasiveness of the walnut shells. They are very hard and have an angular shape when they are crushed, so they have the ability to scrape the carbon off the intake valves and ports without scratching and otherwise damaging the engine’s interior.
The shells are forced into the engine using high pressure. When they hit the carbon deposits, the shells force the deposits to dislodge and break up. While the auto technician blows the crushed walnut shells into the engine, they also use a vacuum to extract the shells and dislodged carbon particles, preventing them from contaminating the rest of the engine.
Benefits of Walnut Blasting at Quality Import Services in Elkhart, IN
Using walnut blasting to clean your BMW direct injection engine has several benefits, including:
- Restoration of Performance: You’ll notice a smoother idle, improved acceleration, and increased power once the carbon buildup has been cleaned from your BMW’s engine.
- Thorough Cleaning: Carbon deposits are hard and stubborn to remove. Walnut blasting effectively removes even the most stubborn, caked-on deposits.
- Precision: Walnut blasting is targeted so it doesn’t damage engine components.
- Non-Toxic and Environmentally Friendly: Since walnut shells are natural and biodegradable, this method is much preferred and works better than running chemicals through the engine.
Vehicles that benefit the most from walnut blasting include high-performance vehicles, as well as those with turbocharged and direct injection engines.
Our Service Plans at Quality Import Service
These comprehensive services are part of our 7,000-mile and 14,000-mile service plans, tailored to your vehicle’s unique needs. Our approach, focused on preventative maintenance, helps you avoid costly repairs down the road while enhancing engine performance.
7,000-Mile Service Plan
Our 7,000-mile service plan helps your vehicle maintain top performance standards and offers:
- Oil Filter Replacement and Oil Change: Maintain lubrication and engine cleanliness.
- Comprehensive Vehicle Inspection: Diagnose potential issues early.
- Road Test: Ensure your vehicle performs smoothly on the road.
- BG Products: EPR engine cleaner and MOA engine oil conditioner optimize engine performance.
- Tire Rotation: Promote even tire wear and extend tire lifespan.
14,000-Mile Service Plan
Our 14,000-mile service plan is designed to comprehensively maintain your vehicle. It includes:
- Oil Filter Replacement and Oil Change: Keeps your engine lubricated and clean.
- Comprehensive Vehicle Inspection: Ensures all systems are working efficiently.
- Road Test: Identifies performance issues that could affect your driving experience.
- BG Products: MOA engine oil conditioner and 44K fuel system cleaner enhance engine efficiency and reduce wear.
BG Induction Cleaning Products: Thoroughly cleanse the intake system for optimal airflow.
Maintaining Engine Performance: Induction Cleaning vs. Walnut Blasting at Quality Import Service
At Quality Import Service, we prioritize your German vehicle’s longevity and optimal performance. Our team recommends two essential procedures: induction cleaning and walnut blasting. These services effectively address and prevent carbon buildup, a common issue that affects the efficiency of direct fuel-injection engines.
- Induction Cleaning: As part of our regular maintenance strategy, we perform induction cleaning every 14,000 miles. This procedure introduces a chemical cleaner into the intake system to dissolve carbon deposits. By keeping your intake valves, throttle body, and manifold free of buildup, this service ensures smooth airflow and better engine performance. It’s a crucial preventative measure that promotes your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and reliability.
Walnut Blasting: For vehicles that have missed regular maintenance, walnut blasting is a powerful remedy. We recommend this intensive procedure every 40,000 miles to restore your engine’s intake system. Walnut blasting involves removing the intake manifold and using finely crushed walnut shells to clean intake valves and ports thoroughly. This ensures that stubborn carbon buildup is eradicated, restoring airflow and engine efficiency. Walnut blasting can be especially beneficial for German car brands like Audi, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and others where carbon buildup is a known issue.
Contact Quality Import Services for BMW Repair in Elkhart, IN
If you notice your BMW idling roughly, losing power, exhibiting poorer fuel economy than when new, producing excessive emissions, or displaying the check engine light, you may benefit from walnut blasting. If the check engine light is on, the codes must show issues related to the air and fuel mixture. Further diagnosis will let us know if carbon buildup is the problem.
Contact Quality Import Services for an appointment for walnut blasting and other vehicle maintenance and repairs at (574) 262-1037. We are conveniently located at 2504 Johnson St., Elkhart, IN 46514.
