I might suggest that you use a leak-down test on each cylinder as you move from one to the next simply to make sure your valves are completely closed. Copious amounts of compressed air after blasting would go without saying.

 

Thanks,any other advice?

 

Have you scoped the intake to see how much buildup you are looking to remove?

I was planning to do mine earlier this year when I had the intake off as I was replacing the turbo coolant lines and exhaust headers but when I looked in there, it was only a small amount of buildup. Because it only takes about 20 minutes to get the intake off, I just figured id do it whenever. This was at about 68k miles of ordinary mixed driving.

From all of my reading I think the reason its hard to find someone to do it is because it seems to not need to be done. Opinions vary on this, but thats what I have read.

In any event, I had planned to cover the entire engine bay with thin plastic and tape off around the exposed intake runners to minimize that walnut media getting everywhere. You will definitely want to be absolutely positively certain the valves are closed on each cylinder you are working on. Many say to soak the valve with cleaner, but from what I have seen the media can just remove everything caked on or softened or not.

Definitely take lots of pics and perhaps video and report back! Good luck with the project.

 

Have you scoped the intake to see how much buildup you are looking to remove?

I was planning to do mine earlier this year when I had the intake off as I was replacing the turbo coolant lines and exhaust headers but when I looked in there, it was only a small amount of buildup. Because it only takes about 20 minutes to get the intake off, I just figured id do it whenever. This was at about 68k miles of ordinary mixed driving.

From all of my reading I think the reason its hard to find someone to do it is because it seems to not need to be done. Opinions vary on this, but thats what I have read.

In any event, I had planned to cover the entire engine bay with thin plastic and tape off around the exposed intake runners to minimize that walnut media getting everywhere. You will definitely want to be absolutely positively certain the valves are closed on each cylinder you are working on. Many say to soak the valve with cleaner, but from what I have seen the media can just remove everything caked on or softened or not.

Definitely take lots of pics and perhaps video and report back! Good luck with the project.

Nope did not scope it, truck has 80k and I have a few friends with Subarus and BMW’s that will be needing blasting so I figured I’d practice on mine

 

I personally wouldn't blast the valves unless I believed they are so coked that they are causing issues.

 

If it's not broke, don't fix it

 

Hey, I recognize that picture 🤣

 

From where?

 

I would like to see before and after pics.

 

 

I enjoy turning wrenches and have plenty of time off duty to do stuff like this, I used a vacuum pump,gauges and a Vacuum plate from Goodson to check that the valves were closed fully before I blasted, since I was using a vacuum /blaster combo I didn’t get walnut all over the place

 

They sure are pretty all cleaned up. I think you did great.

 

gotta say at 80k that only looked like a little build up of soot. Are you the original owner? Gotta say job well done if it help get rid of that stutter

now you make me wonder what mine are like with 130k on a 14, but I have no rough idle.

 

gotta say at 80k that only looked like a little build up of soot. Are you the original owner? Gotta say job well done if it help get rid of that stutter

now you make me wonder what mine are like with 130k on a 14, but I have no rough idle.

My old man bought it new,I bought from him.He’s in his 70’s and drives literally like an old man,he’s put 2000miles on it in the last two years so I’m making sure all the maintenance is up to date ,it wasn’t super bad but while I was there I surely wasn’t going to leave it ,plus I wanted the practice for a few friends cars I’ll be doing soon.It was super easy ,literally took longer to get the plenum off than to blast the valves,but 120-150psi I’d walnut medium with blast away a lot of crud fast.

 

I don't offer one of those yet, but someday 👀

 

Thanks for showing the before and after. The before did not look bad at all, but you did a great job cleaning them up. KM

 

Thanks

 

Turned out great. I really expected there to be more on them though.

 

I did as well, they were not as bad As I figured they would be with 80k miles on the clock

 

I did as well, they were not as bad As I figured they would be with 80k miles on the clock

I was pleasantly surprised with how little gunked up they were...

 

I’m impressed by how clean they got with the walnut blast. Nice work.

 

Great job. Cleaned up very well. I had mine done by FordTechmakuloco when he did my timing chain. Like you mentioned it was very noticeable when done.

 

gotta say at 80k that only looked like a little build up of soot. Are you the original owner? Gotta say job well done if it help get rid of that stutter now you make me wonder what mine are like with 130k on a 14, but I have no rough idle.

Makes me wonder on mine 2013 with 230000 miles still runs good

 

I GUARANTEE if you had the service done you’ll notice a difference. Over time performance does slowly degrade with interference of carbon buildup that becomes progressively worse. I feel we become blind to the minute power robbers. I felt my truck was good too, at 185k’ish before having it done.

However, when I pulled out the shop the difference was very noticeable. Now at 203k’ish I still feel like it’s pulling good. But, nonetheless, that stuff is building it’s way back up little by little I’m sure.

I’m sure ur truck is fine, but have the service done definitely can’t hurt it. Pretty sure you don’t believe there’s not an excess of carbon on the ur valves that shouldn’t be there, right? Just get it knocked off BEFORE it becomes a problem at the absolute worst possible time.

 

EcoBeast3, that is why I keep logs and Draggy performance runs for comparison. While I do not have a "fast" truck I know how it performed since purchase in comparison documentation so far thru it's life. My truck is not that old with 65000 miles on it but it is as quick as anytime I have owned it, measure in several ways. KM

 

Gotcha… that’s an accurate way to keep of it’s performance. Wish I was as detailed as that. I just use senses; eyes, ears, nose, and seat of my pants for vibrations. Not as scientific as your method, but seems to be working.

And yes, your truck is just a baby at 65k miles. I remember those days. She’s got approximately 211k on her now. As long as we do what we’re supposed to do they tend to stay around for us a bit longer.

Hmmm… thinking about your data logging. Wish I’d done that before all the modding. I’d have a better account of my mods and tuning. Bummer…

 

Well 600 miles after doing the intake valves and I just filled up and saw an improvement of almost 1.5 mpg and have felt a smoother idle immediately , so I guess for me it was worth it. I don’t like waiting for something to go wrong to address it so I saw this as maintenance and I’m good with that.

 

Exactly what I’ve been saying each time I defend my reasoning for getting my valves walnut blasted.

 

What parts did you have to buy for the truck? Just an intake gasket? I've been considering this myself as there is no one in the Space Coast area that has done a Ford that will even take the job on.

 

I reused the factory intake gaskets, nothing wrong with them , sealed just fine with no issues
now as far as tool go , I spent around $400 ish for the walnut blaster, some walnut media and the 3.5 vacuum attachment on eBay .