MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: GVLJ on February 21, 2022, 11:59:48 am

Title: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: GVLJ on February 21, 2022, 11:59:48 am
Hi all,

Looking to find someone reputable to do the walnut blasting/injector cleaning/rs4 return valve work on my ED30, ideally near Reading.

A bit of googling/searching threads on here this morning has drawn a bit of a blank- I know I could go to AKS or R-Tech but they're both the thick end of 100 miles away.

Recommendations would be really appreciated!

Cheers,

G
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on February 21, 2022, 03:00:47 pm
100 miles  :surprised:    I drive that every day for work.  What is it with people in this country being unwilling to travel?  100 miles is sod all.  People in the US drive 100s, 1000s of miles across states without a second thought.

I don't know Reading at all, but Balance Motorsport in Henfield is only ~75 miles from you.   Julian there is a legend, especially with suspension.  But he walnut blasts DI engines as well, inc GTIs.

Have also had it done at AKS Tuning and would recommend the travel as they're also top chaps.
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: GVLJ on February 21, 2022, 03:38:31 pm
Haha - absolutely loved that response Kev. :happy2:

I lived in the US for a summer and schlepped up and down the East Coast in an old Taurus with no aircon. It was a horrible car, but a wonderful summer. Drove from Maryland to Buffalo once - my cousins called that a 'normal' roadtrip...  :driver:

Anyway - I don't mind the drive, it's the TIME I struggle with (tiny kids means any car maintenance time has to be carefully managed). I'll probably bite the bullet later in the year and book her in with AKS unless someone suggests somewhere equally good closer to home - but good to know they come recommended.
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ljc19630 on February 21, 2022, 03:41:27 pm
R-Tech - Nuff said
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ald1717 on February 21, 2022, 04:32:32 pm
if nearing or past 90-100k i would replace injectors instead of cleaning save a small fortune in labour, unless they have already been changed
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: Jons1001 on February 21, 2022, 05:46:45 pm
How much would it be for 4 new stock injectors including labour?
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ald1717 on February 21, 2022, 06:23:27 pm
How much would it be for 4 new stock injectors including labour?
check autodoc i think if you order from dealers they will give you 15% discount if you ask which brings them down to £670 for all 4, but mine were for the gti and i think the ed30 ones were a bit cheaper, i was quoted £300 including vat by my loca vag indi for the walnut blasting, and fitting the injectors cost little to nothing extra as they have to come out anyway for the cleaning, i did it myself and saved the £300.  2 of my injectors failed at 87000 miles,
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ljc19630 on February 22, 2022, 06:45:41 am
if nearing or past 90-100k i would replace injectors instead of cleaning save a small fortune in labour, unless they have already been changed

I'd honestly not consider replacing the injectors. if anything get them serviced at R-Tech, as a FAR cheaper option. For a walnut blast R-Tech charge around £400, which considering whats done, and needs to be removed is bloody good value, and an absolute must for any direct injection set up
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on February 22, 2022, 08:40:07 am
Haha - absolutely loved that response Kev. :happy2:

I lived in the US for a summer and schlepped up and down the East Coast in an old Taurus with no aircon. It was a horrible car, but a wonderful summer. Drove from Maryland to Buffalo once - my cousins called that a 'normal' roadtrip...  :driver:

Anyway - I don't mind the drive, it's the TIME I struggle with (tiny kids means any car maintenance time has to be carefully managed). I'll probably bite the bullet later in the year and book her in with AKS unless someone suggests somewhere equally good closer to home - but good to know they come recommended.

Nice  :happy2:  I spent a few weeks driving around California, LA, Vegas etc.  That was in a Chevy Trailblazer rental.  Also a terrible car, but it did at least have decent air con  :grin:

That's fair enough and understandable with the little ones.  I would happily go to either of the places I mentioned but don't expect a night/day difference after it's done  :grin:  It's good for peace of mind knowing all that gunk is removed, but quite honestly I didn't notice any difference after it was done.  In fact, unless you are getting persistent cold start misfires, I'd probably save it for another day and get the injectors etc all done at the same time.
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on February 22, 2022, 08:47:14 am
if nearing or past 90-100k i would replace injectors instead of cleaning save a small fortune in labour, unless they have already been changed

I'd honestly not consider replacing the injectors. if anything get them serviced at R-Tech, as a FAR cheaper option. For a walnut blast R-Tech charge around £400, which considering whats done, and needs to be removed is bloody good value, and an absolute must for any direct injection set up

Normally I would recommend brand new ones, but given inflation/brexit/covid excuses etc pushing the price of K04 ones up to £200 each, that isn't really sustainable.  Sure refurbing is cheaper, but nowhere near as long lasting as replacement.
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ljc19630 on February 22, 2022, 10:34:08 am
Valid point Kev
I thought about sticking new ones in mine, but they are being Hybradised by R-Tech, hence will be pretty much like new anyway!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on February 22, 2022, 03:48:29 pm
Ah, you've got the billy big balls big bore ones, fair enough  :happy2:   They're actually cheaper than standard OEM ones!
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ald1717 on February 23, 2022, 08:23:59 pm
i was told by my indi that cleaning will only help if they are clogged, but its the solenoids inside that wear out and cant keep up, he said if you get 100k out of them on a standard car you have been lucky, on a mapped car probably less, mine lasted 85k , if rtech is rebuilding them then i would do that, but wouldnt bother touching them unless they are causing issues, and when they do either rebuild them if you can, or replace, £200 each OUCH!!
thought mine were dear at £158 each
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on February 24, 2022, 09:01:51 am
Indeed. They mechanically wear out. Replacing baskets and pintles, and cleaning nozzles just delays the inevitable.

K04 ones were £102 each from VW when I bought them in 2016.  Inflation is a killer.
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: Lewo on February 24, 2022, 10:11:53 pm
Wonder how much injectors are for K03s...?  :thinking:
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on February 25, 2022, 08:09:37 am
I don't think there's a huge price difference but you can get them on Autodoc for about £70, Bosch.  I think Hitachi make the injectors for the RS4 etc, so might also make them for the GTI, which could be cheaper than the Boschers.
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ald1717 on February 26, 2022, 12:00:37 pm
ko3 injectors are £180 each on autodoc or if your dealer gives a discount there are £175 each, they are both genuin bosch,
but maxspeed do ones for £125 each but i wouldnt trust the quality
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on February 26, 2022, 12:47:15 pm
Only Bosch and Hitachi make them for VAG, so really cheap ones are probably B grade ones that failed quality inspection.
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ald1717 on February 26, 2022, 04:37:51 pm
i couldnt find any hitachi ones for k03 anywhere, only bosch, hitachi do make the k04 ones though
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: DBXdarkangel on February 26, 2022, 05:11:49 pm
Autodoc shows bosch and borsehung for mine. Apparently borsehung supply oem according to Google users on many forums. Dunno how true tho.

(https://i.postimg.cc/Wb8GjM5T/Screenshot-20220226-170837.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/crKgB8qb)

(https://i.postimg.cc/wjBhB7rJ/Screenshot-20220226-170847.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JG9y64M4)
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ald1717 on February 26, 2022, 09:42:01 pm
do not believe what autodocs website says!!!
i ordered the same bosch injector because i seen the green writing at the bottom claiming it fits my car,   took everything apart then realised the injectors are for 2008 models, couldnt even put the old ones back in because they had been removed and needed to be resealed, on the whole list there is only 2 that fitted the bwa engine that was bosch and maxgear,.   
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on February 28, 2022, 12:34:21 pm
Yeah I would give the Horsehung ones a wide berth.  That is clearly a terrible Chinglish brand, like 90% of the trash on Autodoc's website.
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: Rado16v on March 02, 2022, 06:24:20 pm
Watching with much interest. We also have an ed30 at 85k miles now and we're just up the road in Beaconsfield. AKS seem to be the nearest option, I may do it along with a cam belt change there. Have you seen the prices dealers are charging for s cambelt and water pump change?  :surprised:
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: ald1717 on March 02, 2022, 07:59:09 pm
last time i checked was 3 months ago there was a deal for £570, but even if my indi was no cheaper i would still use him, i have seen a few accounts of the belt being off by a tooth after the dealers
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: LC5F on March 02, 2022, 09:24:36 pm
Wow - Decent branded aftermarket timing belt kits are in the £105 to £150 range - I just checked the price of genuine timing belt, water pump, pulleys & drive belt kit is £340.
For what is a sod of a job, there must be a very tight profit margin if only charge another £230 on top of that.


Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on March 03, 2022, 09:04:53 am
Last time I got it done by a dealer was in 2015, and it cost £349 (inc water pump) on a promotion. 

When you take fuel, maintenance, insurance, consumables (brakes, tyres) into account......we must be heading towards £5 per mile to drive in this country now?


Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: DBXdarkangel on March 03, 2022, 10:29:14 am
Last time I got it done by a dealer was in 2015, and it cost £349 (inc water pump) on a promotion. 

When you take fuel, maintenance, insurance, consumables (brakes, tyres) into account......we must be heading towards £5 per mile to drive in this country now?

Do what I do, drive mine only at the weekends. I only did 3500 miles in between m.o.t last year. I drive my wife's peugeot 107 to work in the week. Easier to park, cheaper to run and ideal for around town. Then when we get into mine it feels like a limo inside with the leather seats lol
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on March 03, 2022, 11:13:38 am
Don't have that luxury as the missus is back to the office now.  Trouble is, I get bored and frustrated with cars much slower and less agile than mine anyway  :grin:
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: DBXdarkangel on March 03, 2022, 12:41:43 pm
Not gonna lie going from my stage 1 to her 997cc feels terrible but then the petrol lasts a month so its worth the embarrassing moment when I'm over taken by a cyclist
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on March 03, 2022, 01:20:10 pm
I'm not going to lie either.......our MK6 TDI is considerably easier and nicer to drive around town, way better made, way quieter, waaaaaaaaay more economical, waaaaaaaay more comfortable over bumps etc.  But it's just not a GTI  :grin:
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: GVLJ on March 07, 2022, 11:54:58 am
So, it looks like I'll be booking in at AKS soon then. It also sounds like new injectors might be more important than walnut blasting, but worth doing both at the same time.

Off topic, but whilst I'm there I'll be looking to do new mounts - thinking VW Racingline hockey puck/dogbone mount (VWR15G503) and then standard engine mounts. Anyone any experience of this sort of combo? I don't want it so stiff it's uncomfortable to daily, but want a bit more fore/aft control than standard.


Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on March 07, 2022, 12:09:16 pm
As you're going to AKS, you may as well get them to shove these on whilst it's there:

1 - https://www.akstuning.co.uk/shop/home/547-genuine-dog-bone-mount.html

2 - https://www.akstuning.co.uk/shop/home/51-vag520m-bottom-engine-mountsubframe-mount-20r32.html

It's what I use (~100 miles a day) and it's the perfect compromise for a road car, imo.

1 = the latest revision of oem torque link, which finally comes with a void-less bush.

2 = VibraTechnics own version of that mount, which they make for RacingLine, as they don't actually make anything themselves, and charge a premium for other peoples' work.
Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: GVLJ on March 08, 2022, 11:49:10 am
VibraTechnics own version of that mount, which they make for RacingLine, as they don't actually make anything themselves, and charge a premium for other peoples' work.

This, I did not know. Thanks for the info (and the links)!

Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: pudding on March 08, 2022, 12:25:19 pm
Think of them more as a consultancy firm than a producer of parts, and not a particularly well run one either going by their Companies House records.

No problem. The Vibratechnics mount is nearly £50 cheaper, so makes zero sense paying for the RacingLine one  :happy2:

Title: Re: Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire
Post by: Rado16v on March 10, 2022, 09:09:30 am
So, it looks like I'll be booking in at AKS soon then. It also sounds like new injectors might be more important than walnut blasting, but worth doing both at the same time.

Off topic, but whilst I'm there I'll be looking to do new mounts - thinking VW Racingline hockey puck/dogbone mount (VWR15G503) and then standard engine mounts. Anyone any experience of this sort of combo? I don't want it so stiff it's uncomfortable to daily, but want a bit more fore/aft control than standard.

Where will you be getting the injectors from?

Thanks