Carbon Buildup/Walnut blasting
02-04-17, 09:37 AM
#1
Carbon Buildup/Walnut blasting
Hello friends of the CL.
Lexus has a problem, and it's called carbon buildup. If you're out of warranty, you're facing a pretty pricey repair, or you can try to ditch it. I still have a year left on my warranty, however wanted to see if I had any issues.
We aren't the only ones with carbon buildup. After seeing another members DIY on walnut blasting, I wanted to look into it. I searched for the top BMW/Subaru shop here in Cincinnati, and found Turnin Concepts. I gave them a ring, and discussed walnut blasting, in which they've done hundreds of BMWs/Subarus in it's day, however never a Lexus. After some time they researched it, and said the concepts are all the same, and they have to Lexus master techs on staff. They knew of the issue of the IS250 carbon buildup, and said Lexus would never go that far, and would off a top clean (a glorified seafoam) but the carbon would just end up more in the engine, thus not fixing the problem. So they were on board. I was then expecting a 1000-1500 price tag. They came back with $500 for the job.
I was in, I also ended up doing my spark plugs, and water pump as it made sense considering the car would be opened up.
A few pictures from the job, my car has 109K
before
after
before
after
If you're having carbon buildup issues, I'd 100% say go for a walnut blast. Look for specialty bmw shops (that service the 335i, they have the same issues) or Subaru spots. If you live near Ohio, check out Turnin motorsports, as they have the experience, and for 500 bucks...worth it!
Lexus has a problem, and it's called carbon buildup. If you're out of warranty, you're facing a pretty pricey repair, or you can try to ditch it. I still have a year left on my warranty, however wanted to see if I had any issues.
We aren't the only ones with carbon buildup. After seeing another members DIY on walnut blasting, I wanted to look into it. I searched for the top BMW/Subaru shop here in Cincinnati, and found Turnin Concepts. I gave them a ring, and discussed walnut blasting, in which they've done hundreds of BMWs/Subarus in it's day, however never a Lexus. After some time they researched it, and said the concepts are all the same, and they have to Lexus master techs on staff. They knew of the issue of the IS250 carbon buildup, and said Lexus would never go that far, and would off a top clean (a glorified seafoam) but the carbon would just end up more in the engine, thus not fixing the problem. So they were on board. I was then expecting a 1000-1500 price tag. They came back with $500 for the job.
I was in, I also ended up doing my spark plugs, and water pump as it made sense considering the car would be opened up.
A few pictures from the job, my car has 109K
before
after
before
after
If you're having carbon buildup issues, I'd 100% say go for a walnut blast. Look for specialty bmw shops (that service the 335i, they have the same issues) or Subaru spots. If you live near Ohio, check out Turnin motorsports, as they have the experience, and for 500 bucks...worth it!
02-04-17, 04:14 PM
#3
That's actually why I did it. I didn't have any issues or any signs of it, and as you can see...the buildup was there.
They didn't send me the after, but they also cleaned my throttle body...which was filthy, and is now good as new.
Who knows how many people are suffering power loss/mpg loss due to carbon buildup. The stories of increased power gains (especially for their boosted customers) was pretty crazy. Even more happy to talk to folks who know what the heck they are talking about in regards to carbon buildup and how it affects cars
I'm looking forward to getting it back.
They didn't send me the after, but they also cleaned my throttle body...which was filthy, and is now good as new.
Who knows how many people are suffering power loss/mpg loss due to carbon buildup. The stories of increased power gains (especially for their boosted customers) was pretty crazy. Even more happy to talk to folks who know what the heck they are talking about in regards to carbon buildup and how it affects cars
I'm looking forward to getting it back.
02-04-17, 08:55 PM
#4
Is it just 500 out the door? Do I need to buy any replacement parts? Funny thing is I was looking at the bimmerforum and they head up to my city couple years ago to do walnut blast. Going to contact them if they are going to head back up here.
02-04-17, 10:01 PM
#5
that's actually why i did it. I didn't have any issues or any signs of it, and as you can see...the buildup was there.
They didn't send me the after, but they also cleaned my throttle body...which was filthy, and is now good as new.
who knows how many people are suffering power loss/mpg loss due to carbon buildup. The stories of increased power gains (especially for their boosted customers) was pretty crazy. Even more happy to talk to folks who know what the heck they are talking about in regards to carbon buildup and how it affects cars
i'm looking forward to getting it back.
They didn't send me the after, but they also cleaned my throttle body...which was filthy, and is now good as new.
who knows how many people are suffering power loss/mpg loss due to carbon buildup. The stories of increased power gains (especially for their boosted customers) was pretty crazy. Even more happy to talk to folks who know what the heck they are talking about in regards to carbon buildup and how it affects cars
i'm looking forward to getting it back.
02-05-17, 10:52 AM
#7
ok. Good thing you took care of it early before it got worse. Mine is a 2012 and no one with 11-13 has complained about this issue yet but we all know lexus didn't fix that problem yet. It's only a matter of time before we start with the same issue and then lexus will be sending out recall letters.
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02-05-17, 12:58 PM
#8
ok. Good thing you took care of it early before it got worse. Mine is a 2012 and no one with 11-13 has complained about this issue yet but we all know lexus didn't fix that problem yet. It's only a matter of time before we start with the same issue and then lexus will be sending out recall letters.
I don't think 11-13 model has them. I believe its only 2006 - 2010
02-09-17, 04:36 PM
#9
I just picked it up this evening (dropped off the other one for the same service) and nervously I started it up. Expecting some fluttering on idle....nothing...silence....
I put it in first and left and it was beautiful. The sluggishness...the hesitation when you press on the gas....all of it....gone
This is by far the best thing I've ever done on any of my Lexus vehicles, it is a legit brand new car!
I put it in first and left and it was beautiful. The sluggishness...the hesitation when you press on the gas....all of it....gone
This is by far the best thing I've ever done on any of my Lexus vehicles, it is a legit brand new car!
03-21-17, 12:38 PM
#12
Racer
Sorry everyone, don't mean to bump this thread but I wanted some advice. I have an 07 IS250 with about 75k miles and am considering getting this service done. So far I have had no buildup symptoms and do the full throttle maintenance about 3-4 times a week. I like to keep my car in tip top shape. Since this isn't a regularly scheduled maintenance job how often should I do it? When I hit 100k? Every 60k? If I end up having symptoms of carbon build up it would be too late right? leading to the full engine cleaning?
03-21-17, 03:31 PM
#14
Not to hijack the thread, but... That was my line of thought.
Clean the valves if I'm going to go through the trouble of tearing down the engine to a degree.
Do you know if there was any issue starting the car after this service?
Clean the valves if I'm going to go through the trouble of tearing down the engine to a degree.
Do you know if there was any issue starting the car after this service?