dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

[toplessvw]

Has anyone thought of having or has had their carboned up ports on FSI heads dry iced blasted. I have been reading up allot on the FSI Carbon issues and not once did I see any one use or suggest dry ice blasting the carbon out of the ports. Dry ice blasting is used in power generation and air plane maintenance industry for the exact same purpose but I have not seen anyone try it for the fsi issues.
Dry ice blasting works by the extreme temp difference when the dry ice contacts the material to be cleaned, the dry ice penetrates and then off gasses effectively removing the deposit. The dry ice evaporates leaving no residue and any carbon would just blow out with the air pressure. This could be done with the head on the car and the valves closed.


Any thoughts on if this would be effective, or any reasoning why it would not be an effective solution? Does anyone have a spare head that they would be willing to have the ports dry ice blasted to see how effective it would be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9lPY_BDYg4

here is a video of removing carbon with dry ice

[Danaldson]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

I'm thinking i need a carbon clean pretty quick here too, but not too sure how to go about it. interesting way to do it^

[MechEngg]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

Would it cause any damage to the head?
Is it cost effective?

[makaheehee]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

I'm thinking of getting a carbon cleaning done as well! Havent really read too much about it though, or even where in Calgary/area to get it done for a reasonable price.

[ToXicXxX]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

I'm thinking i need a carbon clean pretty quick here too, but not too sure how to go about it. interesting way to do it^

Get some carb cleaner and a nylon rifle brush. Put the car in gear with the intake manifold off, then push until cylinder 1 is TDC, scrub out the carbon, and use a shop vac and rag to clean it all out. Repeat ad nausium until complete.

This is how the 335i crowd would do it at home.

I know Calgary Mini can do it, I think Bert & Jacks does too.

[Natty54]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

never heard of that before. most I know use walnut blasting

[toplessvw]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

There are a couple places in Calgary that dry ice blast but they have not tried intake ports they have cleaned aluminum engine parts, As far as cost goes I have not looked that hard into it the companies charge per hour.
I have tried the bottle brush method and it is a time consuming dirty pain in the rear. BMW guys have also used walnut shell method as well but it is not as a clean of process as dry ice but seems to work and I already
I have a pressure blaster and a shop vacuum. I could just get some walnut shells and give it a go, but I like the idea of dry ice blasting so I guess I will have to find a a head with lots of carbon and take it to get blasted.

Anyone have a old head that has carbon deposits that they want to donate to the cause

[witchcraftz]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

Dry ice blasting sounds very smart, no residue and no possibility of pieces remaining and causing damage.

[Benjamin]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

Prices will probably be starting $300-400 to start and $150-200 an hour after the first one. You have to call to figure out what each company costs, but I could guesstimmate about that.
Remember 1 hour drive and atleast 1 hour work for them to show up.

[danno]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

How does glenmore audi do it and tunedub?

[bobkatkat]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

I just had my engine out and manifold off. I know the 5V heads are usually good but damn you could eat off these. I know the last block I broke had way more carbon build up. I am 100% sure that these are so clean from spraying water/meth. Anybody with and FSI that is using water meth??

[toplessvw]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

I looked into Meth and based on what I have read it does not make much of a difference on keeping the carbon off the fsi valves

[PRY4SNO]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

Dry ice blasting is an intriguing process.

I was going to suggest just running w/m from a cost:benefit ratio standpoint.

I looked into Meth and based on what I have read it does not make much of a difference on keeping the carbon off the fsi valves

Source?

[toplessvw]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

There is a few threads in the fsi tech section on vortex that have pictures of ports running on meth for a good amount of time and it still shows carbon buildup. It seems to help a little but does not eliminate it. To me it is not worth the cost of the water meth set up cost if you are only trying to prevent carbon build up.

[T-Dubbs]

Re: dry ice blasting FSI Carbon deposits

Doesn't bagging on your car eliminate carbon build up? (redline shifts)