Hi all,

Was just putting this out there. Has anyone personally experienced this on either their own car or someone they know that has.

Your comments too as to whether this is something that will almost certainly be needed carried out on most direct injection engines, or so I’m led to believe.

Terry

Blasting of what?

Sorry Clifford,

As I understand, it is a process of removing carbon build-up from intake ports & valves. 

This would be for the GDI (Gasoline Direct Engines) of which mine is.

 

It's worth a shot. 

Thanks Steve,

At the moment my car runs pretty good but its coming into its 9th year with 45k on the clock.

As always with a secondhand motor you never know what’s gone on before. Having said that the services that have been carried out are spot on. The unknown is what fuel has been used. Personally, I use Shell V Power at every fill. 

The dilemma for me is that at 75yrs this is probably going to be my last ‘baby’. Always been a bit of a petrol head and always used preventative maintenance. I can’t help it, it’s just the way I am.

That’s why I’m researching this. According to those people of similar like mindedness the ‘insider maintenance brigade’ who want to get 150k + out of their cars. They are not following the standard service regime, rather they use the ‘Severe Service intervals’. Of which this Walnut Shell Blasting would be carried out at 40k intervals. Not ever having seen with my own eyes the problem we are dealing with I’m a bit hesitant.

Not quite there yet, even though it seems to make sense.

1 hour ago, Telsown said:

Hi all,

Was just putting this out there. Has anyone personally experienced this on either their own car or someone they know that has.

Your comments too as to whether this is something that will almost certainly be needed carried out on most direct injection engines, or so I’m led to believe.

Terry

Hi firstly Cliff its used to clean the the backs of the valves inlet/exhaust via the cylinder head ports which involves removing the manifold originally designed for Diesel engines.

If you have a petrol engine you will never need it and personally I have run my Diesel engines way over the specified life span of the engine and never needed it, dont know where you were told this but tell them not to give up the job at Jackanory.

Steve.

Thanks Stevey Y,

That’s exactly what I wanted, someone who knows what he’s talking about. I’ve always valued your input Steve. Thanks mate. Hope you and family are well.

Lost my job at Jackanory so took up with CBeebies…..

Terry.

 

1 hour ago, Telsown said:

 

As I understand, it is a process of removing carbon build-up from intake ports & valves. 

I thought you might mean that, but it's as well to be sure rather than making assumptions. Blasting with sand, grit, shells, carborundum, and other abrasives is commonly used for processes such as paint removal, rust removal, and texturing of metal surfaces.

The need for regular decoking, as we used to call it, ended long ago. In my early days of driving it was normal to decoke at 30000 miles and rebore at 60000 miles. Better controlled fuel mixtures and ignition timing nowadays have largely eliminated the carbon build up that was prevalent 50 years ago. If your engine has been well maintained it is likely the rings and bores and bearings will wear out before coking becomes a problem. In your place I would not be concerned about carbon build up after 45000 miles, or even 145000.

Clifford,

Thank you, as ever, for your input. I remember too the ‘Italian Tuneup’ as it was named back then.

Something I’m aware of even today in some areas of us older petrol heads.

Terry.

I am a firm believe in "if it isn't broke, don't fix it". Sounds like you have a fair deal of mechanical sympathy and use the right fuel rating so apart from adhering to the manufacturers advice regarding servicing and replacement of life limited parts I say run it on. If it were a track car then tear down and rebuilds would make sense. If doubt does set in, before any major surgery, get it inspected using a camera and possible oil analysis. 

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your input.

I know, I have this dilemma every time I buy a new (but not new) car. I’ve never owned a brand new car so I am always buying someone’s hand me down. There is something that I have reconciled with cars, at sometime in the life of that car, someone is going to have to put their hand in their pocket and put right the wrongs. So I guess I am sceptical that not all car owners treat theirs as I do, it’s a fact. 

Just recently I took my car to a main dealer for its annual service + Haldex oil replacement & brake fluid replacement also. During a complimentary video inspection, the mechanic noticed signs of water in & around the thermostat housing. Having read lots of reviews of my car I was aware of the A3 having this weakness. I was unable to determine said leak on camera and was not offered to look for myself. Further along in the discussion I was all for getting the work done (reasonably big job) hence (and this is me talking) I was of the opinion that if we’re  going in to replace the thermostat, what about the water pump? (not forgetting the car is coming up to 9yrs).

Now you see how my mind works. Preventative maintenance! Am I wrong? What would you have done, I wonder?

Whilst I was willing to go along with their (supposed findings) I had a gut feeling, you know the feeling when things don’t sit right. For me I was wrestling with the fact that after owning the car for less than a year, I had never needed to put a drop of coolant in. In the meantime, the garage had priced the job up (thermostat only replacement) at £1300. Yes I get to have a coolant change, never a bad thing. But, what about the water pump (9yrs old) and you don’t stop there, what about the hoses (again 9yrs old) subjected to immense heat. You can go on & on. 

So, what did I do, you ask?

I took the car home. Because I now had all the facts.

So you see, I can be sensible at times. I said to the garage that I cannot dispute the mechanics findings (after all he is a professional) but I am taking the car home. Since that day I have monitored the situation and to date (3 weeks ago) there has been no coolant loss. Of course my OCD has kicked in big time now as I cannot drive the car at all without physically checking the coolant level.

To return to the original problem of leaking thermostat housing I don’t think there is a right or wrong decision to have the water pump replaced too. It just comes down to that little monkey on your back telling you what YOU would do when presented with all the facts.

Personally, I reckon if there was a poll it would be 50/50. For me, I would have at least the water pump replaced too. I’m sure also that it would pay dividends at the time of re-sale. 

Hope you enjoyed my little story. On this occasion I’ve had a right result, I still have my money in the bank. Happy Motoring.

Terry.

 

I hate it when there are seeds of doubt sown in the mind. I too get this and sold a lovely Peugeot 205GTI once because of transmission noise. I replaced it with an Audi 80... wrong option - should have just repaired the Pug. 

WRT Thermostat and Water Pump - I cannot tell if your engine is timing belt or chain. If belt, I would expect the water pump to be replaced at the same time as the belt. This I had done on my A6. 

If you do not get the low coolant warning on the dash then drive it on. Under bonnet checks periodically but not daily. I could often smell coolant when looking under the bonnet but the level never dropped. 

Hi Tom,

Great! 

I too had a 1970 Peugeot 1.9 205 GTi (Red).

What a lovely car it was too. I loved that car!!!! To be honest, probably wouldn’t touch a Peugeot today.

I belonged to the Peugeot Sport Club and had experiences at Silverstone and the MIRA testing circuit in Leicestershire.

Anyway, enough reminiscing. My current car has timing chain (for info). Just need to keep an eye on the tensioner but normally good for longevity, I think.

Sound advice in your last paragraph.

Thanks.

 

I've seen walnut blasting with garages including VAG technic and Decimal Tenths. There's a fair bit of labour involved to access the ports. They class it as preventative maintenance. Ultimately - this comes down to your attitude to risk, and course there's a price to pay.

Personally speaking on a 2.0TFSI I'd leave well alone and save your money. If someone was into the guts of the engine anyway - then why not, you're paying for the labour anyway.

Hi Richard,

I can see your thinking there and of course in the 50/50 scenario you are not wrong.

It’s great having such a multitude of opinions when you are faced with a decision. 

That’s why we love our cars and clubs such as this are invaluable.

Thanks for your input.

1 hour ago, Telsown said:

Hi Tom,

Thanks for your input.

I know, I have this dilemma every time I buy a new (but not new) car. I’ve never owned a brand new car so I am always buying someone’s hand me down. There is something that I have reconciled with cars, at sometime in the life of that car, someone is going to have to put their hand in their pocket and put right the wrongs. So I guess I am sceptical that not all car owners treat theirs as I do, it’s a fact. 

Just recently I took my car to a main dealer for its annual service + Haldex oil replacement & brake fluid replacement also. During a complimentary video inspection, the mechanic noticed signs of water in & around the thermostat housing. Having read lots of reviews of my car I was aware of the A3 having this weakness. I was unable to determine said leak on camera and was not offered to look for myself. Further along in the discussion I was all for getting the work done (reasonably big job) hence (and this is me talking) I was of the opinion that if we’re  going in to replace the thermostat, what about the water pump? (not forgetting the car is coming up to 9yrs).

Now you see how my mind works. Preventative maintenance! Am I wrong? What would you have done, I wonder?

Whilst I was willing to go along with their (supposed findings) I had a gut feeling, you know the feeling when things don’t sit right. For me I was wrestling with the fact that after owning the car for less than a year, I had never needed to put a drop of coolant in. In the meantime, the garage had priced the job up (thermostat only replacement) at £1300. Yes I get to have a coolant change, never a bad thing. But, what about the water pump (9yrs old) and you don’t stop there, what about the hoses (again 9yrs old) subjected to immense heat. You can go on & on. 

So, what did I do, you ask?

I took the car home. Because I now had all the facts.

So you see, I can be sensible at times. I said to the garage that I cannot dispute the mechanics findings (after all he is a professional) but I am taking the car home. Since that day I have monitored the situation and to date (3 weeks ago) there has been no coolant loss. Of course my OCD has kicked in big time now as I cannot drive the car at all without physically checking the coolant level.

To return to the original problem of leaking thermostat housing I don’t think there is a right or wrong decision to have the water pump replaced too. It just comes down to that little monkey on your back telling you what YOU would do when presented with all the facts.

Personally, I reckon if there was a poll it would be 50/50. For me, I would have at least the water pump replaced too. I’m sure also that it would pay dividends at the time of re-sale. 

Hope you enjoyed my little story. On this occasion I’ve had a right result, I still have my money in the bank. Happy Motoring.

Terry.

 

Hi Terry, give it up!, if you listen to the lying Barstewards at Audi one of two things will happen, you will either suffer premature bankruptcy or an early grave worrying what might happen, the water pumps on petrol cars are remotely driven on chain engines therefore have a lot easier life, therefore the water they saw was probably in the service managers eyes while he was adding up the rip off fee, old saying, what if, what if, if your aunt had dangly bits and wore Y Fronts would she not be your uncle.

Steve.

Evening Steve,

That’s the way to do it, straight for the jugular!

It shows doesn’t it, I’m not a mechanic. I’ve been around cars for millennia but I know nothing when it counts. I’m always digging around cos I have this basic interest in all things cars. 

I could save myself a lot of time and ansk if I just logged in here everyday. At least I will eventually find the truth on most matters and learn something too.

Thanks for all your input.

Terry.

11 minutes ago, Telsown said:

Evening Steve,

That’s the way to do it, straight for the jugular!

It shows doesn’t it, I’m not a mechanic. I’ve been around cars for millennia but I know nothing when it counts. I’m always digging around cos I have this basic interest in all things cars. 

I could save myself a lot of time and ansk if I just logged in here everyday. At least I will eventually find the truth on most matters and learn something too.

Thanks for all your input.

Terry.

Hi Terry nothing wrong at all being interested in how it all works, BUT never take anything on face value as there are a million Snake Oil salesmen out there, I know as I have met a lot of them, take heed and go ask many other people if what they say is correct, absolutely no shame in that its the way we all learn even at my age I constantly come across things that I did not know about, your basic knowledge of how to run a vehicle is excellent so never be afraid to ask a question however silly you think it is, the forum is always being asked bone questions and the members will always try and answer even if they dont get any feedback from most of the one post wonders, you have always answered so that puts you on the list of worth the effort of trying to help.

Steve.