Carbon Cleaning Adapter 2.0T, 3.0T, 3.2L, 4.0T, 4.2L, 5.2L, etc
11-21-2018, 07:52 AM
#1
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Carbon Cleaning Adapter 2.0T, 3.0T, 3.2L, 4.0T, 4.2L, 5.2L, etc
Just had my first carbon cleaning done on my 2008 A5 3.2L with 80k miles.
There wasn't a significant amount of carbon build up as compared to other engines I've seen, but nonetheless it has made a difference.
I purchased a media blasting machine (Harbour Frieght in the US and Princess Auto in Canada) and a 50LB bag of walnut shells..
I used the Ford Prefect (Audizine screen name) carbon cleaning adapter which makes the process quick, effective and clean.
My local euro shop did the carbon cleaning using that adapter as their compressor has an inline water/moisture eliminator which prevents the walnut shells from clumping and plugging up the blaster nozzle. My local shop asked to use the video I made of my carbon cleaning as part of a promo for them - this would explain the reason for the title of the video.
There wasn't a significant amount of carbon build up as compared to other engines I've seen, but nonetheless it has made a difference.
I purchased a media blasting machine (Harbour Frieght in the US and Princess Auto in Canada) and a 50LB bag of walnut shells..
I used the Ford Prefect (Audizine screen name) carbon cleaning adapter which makes the process quick, effective and clean.
My local euro shop did the carbon cleaning using that adapter as their compressor has an inline water/moisture eliminator which prevents the walnut shells from clumping and plugging up the blaster nozzle. My local shop asked to use the video I made of my carbon cleaning as part of a promo for them - this would explain the reason for the title of the video.
11-21-2018, 11:16 AM
#2
AudiWorld Member
Clean as a whistle!
Interesting video. Thanks for posting.
What was the cost of the media blaster, adapter, walnut shells, and labor? Was it competitive with the price a shop would charge for the entire procedure, using their own tools?
The adapter looks like it's made of plastic. 3D printed, I'm guessing. How sturdy is it?
What was the cost of the media blaster, adapter, walnut shells, and labor? Was it competitive with the price a shop would charge for the entire procedure, using their own tools?
The adapter looks like it's made of plastic. 3D printed, I'm guessing. How sturdy is it?
11-21-2018, 02:44 PM
#3
I saw a youtube video of a guy using a large radiator hose connector to his wet/dry vacuum, then he inserted spray tip into the radiator hose through a hole in the hose. He was also using the Harbor Freight media blaster.
Same concept as the adapter here, but probably much cheaper. All you need is a flexible hose large enough and flexible enough so it fits the opening snug. Any walnut shell media that escapes outside can be blown away harmlessly with some air.
HF portable media blaster is about $30
If you don't already have a shop vacuum, you can pick one up for around $30 - 50 depending on size.
Walnut shell 25 lb for $25
Same concept as the adapter here, but probably much cheaper. All you need is a flexible hose large enough and flexible enough so it fits the opening snug. Any walnut shell media that escapes outside can be blown away harmlessly with some air.
HF portable media blaster is about $30
If you don't already have a shop vacuum, you can pick one up for around $30 - 50 depending on size.
Walnut shell 25 lb for $25
Last edited by findalex; 11-21-2018 at 02:54 PM.
11-22-2018, 04:50 AM
#4
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Interesting video. Thanks for posting.
What was the cost of the media blaster, adapter, walnut shells, and labor? Was it competitive with the price a shop would charge for the entire procedure, using their own tools?
The adapter looks like it's made of plastic. 3D printed, I'm guessing. How sturdy is it?
What was the cost of the media blaster, adapter, walnut shells, and labor? Was it competitive with the price a shop would charge for the entire procedure, using their own tools?
The adapter looks like it's made of plastic. 3D printed, I'm guessing. How sturdy is it?
I wasn't charged any labour as I was the one who provided the media blaster and walnut shells and adapter. So basically I got the labour for free in return for jump starting this carbon cleaning process for that shop. The cheapest prices for this same service in the Toronto area is from about $700 to $1000+ depending on engine type / number of cylinders.
The adapter is made of some sort of composite materiel and makes a snug fit into the intake port. That adapter seems to be quite strong/robust IMO.
I saw a youtube video of a guy using a large radiator hose connector to his wet/dry vacuum, then he inserted spray tip into the radiator hose through a hole in the hose. He was also using the Harbor Freight media blaster.
Same concept as the adapter here, but probably much cheaper. All you need is a flexible hose large enough and flexible enough so it fits the opening snug. Any walnut shell media that escapes outside can be blown away harmlessly with some air.
HF portable media blaster is about $30
If you don't already have a shop vacuum, you can pick one up for around $30 - 50 depending on size.
Walnut shell 25 lb for $25
Same concept as the adapter here, but probably much cheaper. All you need is a flexible hose large enough and flexible enough so it fits the opening snug. Any walnut shell media that escapes outside can be blown away harmlessly with some air.
HF portable media blaster is about $30
If you don't already have a shop vacuum, you can pick one up for around $30 - 50 depending on size.
Walnut shell 25 lb for $25
HF does have much cheaper prices for their media blasters which is real nice.
11-22-2018, 08:23 AM
#6
AudiWorld Member
The adapter was $40 from Ford Prefect on Audizine. The media blaster and 50LB walnut shells were from Princess Auto for $99 and $40 respectively.
I wasn't charged any labour as I was the one who provided the media blaster and walnut shells and adapter. So basically I got the labour for free in return for jump starting this carbon cleaning process for that shop. The cheapest prices for this same service in the Toronto area is from about $700 to $1000+ depending on engine type / number of cylinders.
The adapter is made of some sort of composite materiel and makes a snug fit into the intake port. That adapter seems to be quite strong/robust IMO.
I wasn't charged any labour as I was the one who provided the media blaster and walnut shells and adapter. So basically I got the labour for free in return for jump starting this carbon cleaning process for that shop. The cheapest prices for this same service in the Toronto area is from about $700 to $1000+ depending on engine type / number of cylinders.
The adapter is made of some sort of composite materiel and makes a snug fit into the intake port. That adapter seems to be quite strong/robust IMO.
Thanks for the pics of the adapter in various materials. Does that one adapter fit all the engines listed in your thread title?
11-22-2018, 10:12 AM
#7
AudiWorld Member
Thread Starter
Trending Topics
11-23-2018, 08:03 PM
#8
I used the adapter as well on my RS5 and it's quite sturdy. It's not soft plastic like you'd imagine from the photos but rather hard. It does cover the entire port although I would prefer a slight extension of the sides so it doesn't have to be lined up close to perfect. But it does work and it'll keep the shells in the intake runners and not all over the engine if you're careful. I had to vacuum up very few extraneous walnut shells all of which were my fault not from a leaking adapter.
