Walnut blasting/injector cleaning - Oxfordshire/Berkshire

[GVLJ]

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

[pudding]

100 miles      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.

[GVLJ]

Haha - absolutely loved that response Kev.

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... 

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.

[ljc19630]

R-Tech - Nuff said

[ald1717]

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

[Jons1001]

How much would it be for 4 new stock injectors including labour?

[ald1717]

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,

[ljc19630]

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

[pudding]

Haha - absolutely loved that response Kev.

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... 

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    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 

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    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.

[pudding]

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.

[ljc19630]

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!!!


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[pudding]

Ah, you've got the billy big balls big bore ones, fair enough     They're actually cheaper than standard OEM ones!

[ald1717]

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

[pudding]

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.

[Lewo]

Wonder how much injectors are for K03s...?