Walnut shell blasting VS chemical clean... Opinions

rooringhusky · 03-14-2012, 05:14 PM

Anyone in SoCal interested in splitting a Walnut blaster from Harbor Freight? I'm only going to need it one time most likely..

Juiced46 · 03-14-2012, 06:21 PM

To the OP, the chemical cleaning your dealer is offering you will not do anything for you. They basically attach a pressure canister with most likely a BG type solvent and pump it through your fuel system.

The reason this does not work is because of the direct injection system. This cleaning works great on a NON Direct Injection motor, because the injectors spray into the intake port on the back of the valve and it will clean it. On a Direct Injection motor like the N54/55 this will not work since the injector sprays AFTER the valves. The only thing it will clean is the injector and the top of the piston, and that is not what needs to be done in this case, thats not where the build up is.

You CAN clean it with a chemical instead of walnut blasting, however to do this you would need to remove the intake manifold, and clean/scrub by hand each intake port with a chemical. This is not what your dealer is doing for $150. The walnut service is MOST DEFINITELY still offered by BMW. BMW automatically shipped the tools to every dealer, they have it, the writer probably just had no clue what you were talking about.

So if you want to clean/scrub with a chemical VS using the Walnut Blaster, you will get the same exact results basically, its just more work to scrub it by hand. If you are going to blast a solvent through the fuel system, it will do absolutely nothing. Hope this helps.

If anyone needs this service done in the CT area PM me.

gdawg20001 · 03-14-2012, 06:56 PM

Can anyone recommend a dealership in the NJ area that would do this?

MilehighM3 · 03-14-2012, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juiced46

To the OP, the chemical cleaning your dealer is offering you will not do anything for you. They basically attach a pressure canister with most likely a BG type solvent and pump it through your fuel system.

The reason this does not work is because of the direct injection system. This cleaning works great on a NON Direct Injection motor, because the injectors spray into the intake port on the back of the valve and it will clean it. On a Direct Injection motor like the N54/55 this will not work since the injector sprays AFTER the valves. The only thing it will clean is the injector and the top of the piston, and that is not what needs to be done in this case, thats not where the build up is.

You CAN clean it with a chemical instead of walnut blasting, however to do this you would need to remove the intake manifold, and clean/scrub by hand each intake port with a chemical. This is not what your dealer is doing for $150. The walnut service is MOST DEFINITELY still offered by BMW.

You can use a fogging attachment through the intake/charge pipe to apply the cleaning agent on the DI applications. I say intake/charge pipe due to some manufacturers use NA DI engines, so they wouldn't have a charge pipe.

MilehighM3 · 03-14-2012, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasillalov

RedLine states 30-50% PEA content:

http://www.redlineoil.com/content/fi... SI-1 6-11.PDF

That's probably why they clean well! Great find btw!
Our local guy from BG did some titration tests on fuel including Shell, which measure the Amine molecule in the PEA. The Amine part of the molecule contains the Nitrogen which is what actually does the cleaning. He found that there was basically no Nitrogen in the fuel, unlike the advertising. He also tested a couple of other fuel system cleaners and found the highest content to be Redline and BG, with BG on top. Supposedly they have a proprietary procedure for manufacturing the PEA. Weird considering Chevron came up with the chemistry in the first place...
I guess the bottom line is chemical cleaning via intake removal is the hardest, most time consuming and least efficient way to do this since the revival of walnut shell blasting technology. It also makes the biggest mess, and involves the most beer for those in a DIY environment at home.

Juiced46 · 03-14-2012, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmw135er

You can use a fogging attachment through the intake/charge pipe to apply the cleaning agent on the DI applications. I say intake/charge pipe due to some manufacturers use NA DI engines, so they wouldn't have a charge pipe.

You can, but I can guarantee the fogging attachment will not clean the valves like a walnut blasting will do. You need some REALLY strong stuff to get the gunk off. I have let the BG cleaner soak inside of the port for a while (with valves closed of course) and you still need to get in there and scrub it.

335xi Kevo · 03-14-2012, 08:48 PM

all they do is the BG induction cleaning system that audi uses. After living in that scene for a long time, all this is is a more aggressive seafoam.

MilehighM3 · 03-14-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juiced46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmw135er

You can use a fogging attachment through the intake/charge pipe to apply the cleaning agent on the DI applications. I say intake/charge pipe due to some manufacturers use NA DI engines, so they wouldn't have a charge pipe.

You can, but I can guarantee the fogging attachment will not clean the valves like a walnut blasting will do. You need some REALLY strong stuff to get the gunk off. I have let the BG cleaner soak inside of the port for a while (with valves closed of course) and you still need to get in there and scrub it.

Agreed. Walnut shells is the way to go!

Kuch335 · 03-15-2012, 01:36 AM

Just run Meth

rooringhusky · 03-15-2012, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuch123

Just run Meth

The buildup occurs with or without meth usage..

apkraven · 03-15-2012, 03:34 AM

my car is in the service, valve cover cracked , m3 differential install and such on. my guys tell me they won't be able to blast clean the valves , but they are going to brush some strong chemical solution and scrub it off, anyways i guess when the intake manifold is disassembled, it will make no difference between such work and blasting.. i can go and take a look at what solution they use.

Kuch335 · 03-15-2012, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rooringhusky

The buildup occurs with or without meth usage..

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...3&postcount=48

MilehighM3 · 03-15-2012, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apkraven

my car is in the service, valve cover cracked , m3 differential install and such on. my guys tell me they won't be able to blast clean the valves , but they are going to brush some strong chemical solution and scrub it off, anyways i guess when the intake manifold is disassembled, it will make no difference between such work and blasting.. i can go and take a look at what solution they use.

The chemical cleaning needs to be done with the valves hot or it doesn't really work. Every chemical I've seen is this way, so they may be setting themselves up for a difficult time. Is it at a dealer? If so they have a blaster, they just don't want to use it for some reason. I don't know why, it does a better job it's faster, easier and less messy.

E90SoFlo · 03-15-2012, 09:11 AM

Meth would keep your system clean, it will not build up.

Just to confirm.

skim7x · 03-15-2012, 10:05 AM

Walnut shell blasting. A bunch of places do it... BMW Dealerships (insane pricing), ACM, and VAC both do it as well... I called Helix and they don't do it...

MDORPHN · 03-15-2012, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skim7x

Walnut shell blasting. A bunch of places do it... BMW Dealerships (insane pricing), ACM, and VAC both do it as well... I called Helix and they don't do it...

RRT Racing in the DC area (near Dulles airport) also does it.

Neil

vasillalov · 03-15-2012, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kuch123

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...3&postcount=48

...and this has been proven ineffective countless times.

JamesM3M5 · 03-15-2012, 11:03 AM

Yeah, I'd have to see before/after pics of meth/water use. I manually cleaned my valves in October 2011, put the PWM meth kit on in Nov 2011. I intend to take the manifold off to see how bad it is after a year. They were incredibly caked up before, much worse than any of the other pics I've seen here. My guess is that it will only slow buildup on already cleaned valves but will do nothing on existing carbon buildup.

Stucks · 03-15-2012, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDORPHN

RRT Racing in the DC area (near Dulles airport) also does it.

Neil

How much do you think they would charge?

MDORPHN · 03-15-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stucks

How much do you think they would charge?

The guy who posted immediately above you (JamesM3M5) is in a far better position than I to answer that question!

Neil

sA x sKy · 03-15-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasillalov

...and this has been proven ineffective countless times.

Please explain..I've read the opposite.

2turbodinan · 03-15-2012, 06:16 PM

I live in CA and am due for a valve clean. I was quoted 215 for the cleaning and I'm sure it's not steamed, or is it?

03-14-2012, 05:14 PM	#23
rooringhusky Objects in the mirror are losing 110 Rep 1,133 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i E92 AW/CR 6MT Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Socal (OC/Riverside) iTrader: (19) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [10.00]	Anyone in SoCal interested in splitting a Walnut blaster from Harbor Freight? I'm only going to need it one time most likely.. __________________ PERFORMANCE: JB4 G5 \ Backend Flash \ DCI \ BMS Downpipes \ CX FMIC \ ER Chargepipe \ Synapse BOV \ KW V2 \ Muffler Delete \ CDV \ ZHP Shifter \ Cyba Scoops FUN: M3 Front \ Mtech Rear \ JL 10W6 \ ModMyNav \ V1 Hardwired \ LUX H8 \ Gloss Black Trim \ Gloss Black Roof \ Cyba Quads \ Cyba Mtech Diffuser
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03-14-2012, 06:21 PM	#24
Juiced46 Major 82 Rep 1,035 Posts Drives: 03 Turbo Cobra, 2011 335xi Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Wallingford CT iTrader: (3)	To the OP, the chemical cleaning your dealer is offering you will not do anything for you. They basically attach a pressure canister with most likely a BG type solvent and pump it through your fuel system. The reason this does not work is because of the direct injection system. This cleaning works great on a NON Direct Injection motor, because the injectors spray into the intake port on the back of the valve and it will clean it. On a Direct Injection motor like the N54/55 this will not work since the injector sprays AFTER the valves. The only thing it will clean is the injector and the top of the piston, and that is not what needs to be done in this case, thats not where the build up is. You CAN clean it with a chemical instead of walnut blasting, however to do this you would need to remove the intake manifold, and clean/scrub by hand each intake port with a chemical. This is not what your dealer is doing for $150. The walnut service is MOST DEFINITELY still offered by BMW. BMW automatically shipped the tools to every dealer, they have it, the writer probably just had no clue what you were talking about. So if you want to clean/scrub with a chemical VS using the Walnut Blaster, you will get the same exact results basically, its just more work to scrub it by hand. If you are going to blast a solvent through the fuel system, it will do absolutely nothing. Hope this helps. If anyone needs this service done in the CT area PM me.
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03-14-2012, 06:56 PM	#25
gdawg20001 Private 10 Rep 63 Posts Drives: Black Sapphire Metallic 335i Join Date: May 2011 Location: Orlando FL iTrader: (2)	Can anyone recommend a dealership in the NJ area that would do this? __________________ _____________________________
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03-14-2012, 08:48 PM	#29
335xi Kevo Lieutenant 29 Rep 497 Posts Drives: 2008 335xi Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: CT iTrader: (3)	all they do is the BG induction cleaning system that audi uses. After living in that scene for a long time, all this is is a more aggressive seafoam. __________________ 08' 335xi 6MT Space Metallic Grey Premium, Nav, Cold weather, Sport Procede 2.5, DCI, Forge DV, PWM, Scoops, KW V1, ETS 5" FMIC, VRSF Downpipes, M3 Skirts
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03-15-2012, 01:36 AM	#31
Kuch335 2007 335i E92 46 Rep 626 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 TiAg, 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: OH iTrader: (4)	Just run Meth __________________ 2007 335i E92 AT - MHD E85 Flash, xHP Stage 3 , MR5 Intake, VRSF DPs, VRSF 7in FMIC, ER CP, Fuel-It Stage 1, RB PCV, UUC Corsa Exhaust, BL R8 Coils, Sachs SRE Coilovers, M3 Control Arms, H&R Sway, BA Diff Lock, MDF Scoops, Tint, CF Hood, Mini Battery :: 2011 X3 xDrive 35i - MHD Stage 1, Alum Charge Pipe
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03-15-2012, 03:34 AM	#33
apkraven Ukrainian tuner 40 Rep 127 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ukraine iTrader: (2)	my car is in the service, valve cover cracked , m3 differential install and such on. my guys tell me they won't be able to blast clean the valves , but they are going to brush some strong chemical solution and scrub it off, anyways i guess when the intake manifold is disassembled, it will make no difference between such work and blasting.. i can go and take a look at what solution they use.
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03-15-2012, 09:11 AM	#36
E90SoFlo Banned 220 Rep 2,669 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (9)	Meth would keep your system clean, it will not build up. Just to confirm.
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03-15-2012, 10:05 AM	#37
skim7x Colonel 218 Rep 2,558 Posts Drives: 335i, C63 AMG Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2007 335i [10.00]	Walnut shell blasting. A bunch of places do it... BMW Dealerships (insane pricing), ACM, and VAC both do it as well... I called Helix and they don't do it... __________________ '07 Space Gray 335i coupe - R.I.P. COBB ProTuned \| AMS \| CP-e \| BMS \| Quaife
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03-15-2012, 11:03 AM	#40
JamesM3M5 Some dude 93 Rep 1,780 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (0)	Yeah, I'd have to see before/after pics of meth/water use. I manually cleaned my valves in October 2011, put the PWM meth kit on in Nov 2011. I intend to take the manifold off to see how bad it is after a year. They were incredibly caked up before, much worse than any of the other pics I've seen here. My guess is that it will only slow buildup on already cleaned valves but will do nothing on existing carbon buildup.
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03-15-2012, 06:16 PM	#44
2turbodinan Private First Class 10 Rep 147 Posts Drives: e93 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Upland, Ca iTrader: (0)	I live in CA and am due for a valve clean. I was quoted 215 for the cleaning and I'm sure it's not steamed, or is it? __________________ Tony Wang
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