Decarbonizing

The direct-injection carbon story

Direct-injection engines deliver fuel directly to the combustion chamber — bypassing the intake valves entirely. That means the oil vapor from the PCV system coats the intake valves with no fuel washing past them, and over time, carbon deposits build up on the back of the intake valves. This is a normal characteristic of these engines.

Common things people notice when buildup is significant:

• Rough cold idle
• Hesitation on acceleration
• A change in fuel economy
• Occasional misfires

Our decarbonizing process

Walnut blasting is the standard procedure for intake-valve carbon removal on direct-injection engines. We use crushed walnut media blasted through the intake ports under pressure — it removes the carbon without damaging the aluminum.

For lighter buildup, we also perform chemical intake cleaning using manufacturer-approved cleaners.

We do not service diesel engines.

Vehicles that may benefit

Direct-injection engines on many platforms can accumulate carbon over time. If you’re noticing any of the signs above on your car — gas engine, direct-injection — bring it by. We’ll scan it, take a look, and tell you whether the procedure is worth doing for your specific vehicle.

Every car needs the reset or relearn procedure it calls for, and we make sure that’s done after the service.