Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Walnut Blasting GDI Engine

As the car is laid up pending a return of the goodish weather my thoughts have turned to getting the inlet manifold off and cleaning the valves and inlet on my 2016 GDI.

I have found a company that does this and walnut blasts everything. Has anybody any experience of this and what were the results if any ?

I have yet to ascertain the cost but quite like the idea looking at the published results.

Thanks in anticipation

I have used it with great success in cleaning stainless tanks used to makes batches of ink. It leaves a clean smooth surface. I have not used it on inlet manifolds

Just make sure each valve is fully closed before they start.

Another TM'ers recent experience here Steve which may help particularly with the heads up on inlet manifold removal.

While walnut shell blasting is likely to produce a more thorough clean than DIY manual frisking followed by Seafoam flush, it is likely to cost significantly more.

Assessing whether the extra cost versus valve finish is worthwhile is very much a conundrum for the owner.

Would love to see hard evidence on the influence of how a GDI engine is used has on the rate at which the inlet valves gum up.

One thing is a racing certainty. Once the engine breather has been diverted from the inlet, the valves should no longer require occasional cleaning.

I use a local Vapour blasting company, great results and no residue.

"Once the engine breather has been diverted from the inlet, the valves should no longer require occasional cleaning"
Yes - exactly. Modified my GDI Plus 4 to VTA (vent to atmosphere) from new. Ditto Beemer 340i. Will never have fouling problems.

One of my winter jobs was to remove the inlet manifold, clean the valves and then fit a catch can from the sump vent to the inlet manifold. Rather than vent to atmosphere I decided to go back into the inlet manifold to create the suction to draw the fumes/oil into the catch can.

https://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/792499/re-workshop-note-gdi-oil-breather#Post792499

Busy day yesterday, eventually bit the bullet and had the mobile walnut blasting operative visit. I thought about doing it myself but what the hell this is one bit of work I'll let someone else do.

I wasn't expecting them to be too bad as the cars only done 19k. What I saw when he removed the manifold was shocking.



All four inlets were the same. Inspecting the manifold I could see oil pooled inside and it would appear that tracing it back this was all from the sump pipe. The pipe from the "Rocker cover" as I call it was as dry as a bone.

With the benefit of hindsight I should possibly have had all the kit ready to fit a catch can but that now looks like a job for another day. Ive got to say very impressed with the work performed and here was here for about three hours. The end result is so much better and he was meticulous in ensuring all the medium was removed



I have the company details if anybody is interested he is mobile from Lincolnshire and will travel.

WOW glad I've got a non GDI Duratec.