Carbon Blasting – What is it?

By mptspdl | January 13, 2016

Carbon blasting is an auto repair process used to remove carbon build up on intake valves and ports on gasoline direct injection engines. Excess carbon deposits are a common problem caused by the design of direct injection gasoline engines. Removal of carbon build-up is a routine maintenance procedure for direct injection gasoline engine powered vehicles.

Carbon Deposit Symptoms
Carbon buildup causes rough running engine, engine throttle hesitation, a reduction of power and efficiency, as well as misfiring at high load. Excess carbon deposits usually become a problem at 60,000 to 80,000 miles.

Why Direct Injection
Gasoline Direct Injection is a sophisticated technology that provides increased fuel mileage, lower exhaust emissions, and increased power (performance).

Why Carbon Build Up
Although direct injection provides more power and efficiency, carbon build-up occurs on the intake valves and ports that over time reduces the airflow to the cylinders, and reduces power.

With direct injection fuel injectors spray directly into the combustion chamber rather than spraying into the intake manifold as with conventional multi-point fuel injection that injects fuel into the intake manifold or cylinder port. With conventional injection fuel is sprayed upstream of the intake valves where the fuel, mixed with air, washes deposits from the valves as it rushes into the combustion chamber before deposits can harden into carbon.

On a direct injection engine this valve “washing” process does not occur. The oil deposits, from worn valve seals, the CCV system, and turbocharger blow-by to build up on the intake valves and choke the engine’s power.

Vehicles Affected
BMW and MINI Direct Injection (DI) engines that are especially prone to valve carbon build up:

BMW 2.0-liter inline-4. Vehicle applications: Z4
Carbon blasting service for BMW 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 N54, N55, S55. Vehicle applications: 135i, I Series M Coupe, 335is, 535i, X3, X5, Z4
BMW 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-6. Vehicle applications: 335d, X5
BMW 4.4-liter turbocharged V-8, N63, S63. Vehicle applications: 550i, 550iGT, 650i, 750i, X5, X5M, X6, X6M (also upcoming M5)
BMW 6.0-liter turbocharged V-12. Vehicle applications: 760Li
MINI 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4. Vehicle applications: Cooper S, Cooper JCW, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman Cooper
JCW, Coupe Cooper S, Coupe Cooper JCW, Countryman Cooper S

Carbon Blasting Procedure
A carbon buildup cleaning process has been developed to remove intake valve carbon without removing and disassembling the motor. A compressed air powered media blaster uses ground Walnut shell grit that removes the carbon without damaging the metal engine parts. Carbon blasting service requires removing the intake manifold and can be performed without removing the engine from the vehicle.

Before the BMW Carbon Blasting. Notice thick buildup of black carbon on intake valves and ports. These carbon deposits restrict the air flow into the cylinder, lower fuel mileage, increase emissions, and decrease engine performance.

After BMW carbon blasting

BMW Carbon Blasting Service
Tyspeed Automotive LLC offers professional and affordable BMW services such as BMW restoration, BMW Repairs, and BMW decarbonize blasting. Located in Jackson, NJ, Tyspeed serves the Monmouth County & Ocean County areas in towns such as Jackson, Matawan, Marlboro, Freehold, Millstone, Colts Neck, Manalapan, Wall Township, Manasquan, Rumson and many more. For more information on their BMW services, contact Tyspeed today at (732)-547-9403