Restore lost power with proper walnut blasting in Halesowen.
Kovac Services Ltd specialise in walnut blasting of cylinder ports and intake valves – the safest and most effective way to remove heavy carbon build-up on modern petrol and diesel engines.
- Main service: intake valve & port walnut blasting with full manifold removal and correct valve positioning.
- Add-ons such as intake manifold & EGR cleaning and ultrasonic injector cleaning can be combined in the same visit.
- Typical turnaround: next working day (24 hours) to allow for stubborn fixings or front-end removal on tighter engines.
Tell us your registration, mileage and symptoms – we’ll confirm whether walnut blasting is the right solution for your engine, not just sell you a treatment.
Walnut blasting done properly – not a “quick clean” gimmick
On modern direct-injection engines, fuel is injected straight into the combustion chamber, not over the back of the valves. Oil vapour and EGR soot stick to the valve stems and ports, slowly choking airflow and upsetting mixture. Walnut blasting is the safest way to remove that carbon when performed correctly.
How we carry out walnut blasting
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Full access, no shortcuts
Intake manifold removed so each port can be cleaned directly – we don’t just spray through the throttle body and hope for the best. -
Valves locked closed
The engine is rotated by hand so only the cylinder being blasted has its valves closed, keeping walnut media out of the combustion chamber. -
Controlled media & extraction
Crushed walnut shell is fired at controlled pressure, with continuous vacuum extraction to lift loosened carbon out of the port. -
Proof of work
We can provide before and after photos or borescope footage of your own valves and ports, not just stock images from the internet.
What we offer at Kovac Services Ltd
Walnut blasting of the intake valves and ports is the core service. Extra cleaning work can be added at the same time to make the most of the strip-down.
- Direct-injection petrol (TFSI, GDI, TSI, CGI, EcoBoost, etc.)
- Suitable diesel engines with heavy EGR/soot build-up in the intake
- Ideal from ~50–70k miles or sooner on tuned/short-run vehicles
- Helps restore power, smoothness and idle quality
- Intake manifold removal, deep cleaning & refit
- EGR valve & EGR passage cleaning where accessible
- Throttle body cleaning & adaptation (where supported)
- Ultrasonic injector cleaning – add for £99 when booked with walnut blasting
Why this method beats sprays, additives and HHO “carbon cleans”
The internet is full of miracle carbon cleaners – fuel additives, chemical sprays, even HHO machines claiming to “steam clean” your engine. They may shift light combustion deposits, but they cannot physically remove the heavy, baked-on carbon you see on intake valves and in EGR/intake tracts.
Walnut blasting vs other “carbon cleaning” methods
Here’s how walnut blasting compares to common alternatives currently on the market.
Physically removes heavy carbon from valves, ports and some intake/EGR areas. Safe for metal surfaces when used at the correct pressure with valves closed and extraction in place.
✔ Safest & most effective for heavy build-upGasses are fed through the intake while the engine runs. Can help with light combustion deposits but has very limited effect on thick carbon stuck upstream of the combustion chamber – especially on intake valves of direct-injection engines.
✘ Limited effect where the real problem isAdditives in the tank or aerosol sprays into the intake may tidy light residues, but they can’t reach or scrub baked deposits on the back of the valves. In some cases they risk dislodging chunks of carbon with nowhere safe to go.
✘ Not a solution for serious build-upOur walnut blasting process – step by step
Every car is a little different, especially when front-end removal or extra diagnostics are involved, but the overall flow of the job is consistent.
Transparent guide pricing for walnut blasting
Final quotes depend on engine code, layout, access and any add-ons you choose, but these figures give a realistic idea of what to expect. All work is carried out at Kovac Services Ltd in Halesowen.
Real-world before and after results
Below are real examples from walnut blasting work carried out at Kovac Services Ltd – including cylinder port cleaning and Audi RS4 intake work.
When you book, we can provide photos or video of your own engine so you can see exactly what was cleaned and how severe the build-up was beforehand.
Request a walnut blasting quote or booking
Visits are strictly by appointment only. Use the form below to tell us about your engine, or contact the workshop directly. We’ll respond with a clear recommendation, price and available dates.