N54 intake valve horror!

Zeph · 04-24-2011, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momstmg78

M3thod, i'm covering the hospital in Montgomery for emergencies this weekend. If you need help cleaning your valves let know. I'll bring some tools with me if so.

How hard is it to check and/or clean the valves? I only have about 28k miles on my '08 but I am interested in this as well. I live in Calera

A bit O.T. Wondering if I should replace the spark plugs as well, I know BMW did the recall a couple of months ago and replaced 3 "sub-par" injectors along with the fuel pump and flow sensor. They said the plugs were fine... Now with the "clean bill of health" I went ahead and added Synapse BOV and COBB AP to it. Threads like this make my stomach turn a bit

momstmg78 · 04-24-2011, 09:17 PM

Zeph I would say wait until you have around 40k miles, then clean valves, replace spark plugs and oil. Hope that helps

dicostal · 04-24-2011, 09:20 PM

Can you do anything to prevent this from happening?

chili36 · 04-24-2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshboody

i don't think fuel economy will be effected. Power versus air / fuel will stay the same... you'll just be limited in max power.

Members that have done this cleaning have reported a noticeable change in MPG.

momstmg78 · 04-24-2011, 09:26 PM

I don't think it can be prevented, you just have to clean them about every 40k miles. People with catch cans and meth still have this problem.

ianthegreat · 04-24-2011, 10:32 PM

I'll probably pull the intake mani out of curiosity, but I don't buy that 1. carbon is clogging the injectors, and 2. the carbon build up (i've seen in threads so far) is all that detrimental.

///M3THOD · 04-24-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momstmg78

M3thod, i'm covering the hospital in Montgomery for emergencies this weekend. If you need help cleaning your valves let know. I'll bring some tools with me if so.

Set you a PM, thanks for the offer.

///M3THOD · 04-24-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianthegreat

I'll probably pull the intake mani out of curiosity, but I don't buy that 1. carbon is clogging the injectors, and 2. the carbon build up (i've seen in threads so far) is all that detrimental.

Have you seen Mr.5's thread on his valves, http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...ghlight=valves

Post 71 shows his dyno's, he picked up power, around 10rwhp/10rwtq.

Granted his numbers will be exaggerated when compared to a stock vehicle but you absolutely should see a smoother running engine and possibly some improved fuel economy.

I don't know about you, but knowing that its happening and that I can address the issue is enough for me to do it. I like dirty girls, not dirty valves.

dzenno · 04-25-2011, 01:10 AM

Before:

After:

All thanks to Columbus Automotive Mississauga for this absolutely immaculate intake valve cleaning job...awesome!

gboop · 04-25-2011, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzenno

Before:

All thanks to Columbus Automotive Mississauga for this absolutely immaculate intake valve cleaning job...awesome!

Very nice.
What equipment did they use? High pressure crushed walnut blasting or similar? Or elbow grease?

Mr. 5 · 04-25-2011, 10:27 AM

Nice.
That looks great!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzenno

Before:

After:

All thanks to Columbus Automotive Mississauga for this absolutely immaculate intake valve cleaning job...awesome!

ar design · 04-25-2011, 10:35 AM

I wonder how much polishing the intake ports would help with reducing carbon buildup?

Rotorocious · 04-25-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ar design

I wonder how much polishing the intake ports would help with reducing carbon buildup?

It was tempting to shine them up a bit while I was right there, but I left it alone unless the entire head was coming off.

Sniz · 04-25-2011, 11:01 AM

good job Dzenno, curious as to why you had your IM off anyway?

marcvtec · 04-25-2011, 05:41 PM

Hey Dz, what did they use and pm the contact info please, thanks

Mr. 5 · 04-26-2011, 12:33 PM

Thread cleaned!
Those who continue to make personal remarks will receive infrations.

dzenno · 04-26-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniz

good job Dzenno, curious as to why you had your IM off anyway?

I had the valve cover off to do the PCV research and thought might as well do some scrubbing

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcvtec

Hey Dz, what did they use and pm the contact info please, thanks

PMed

dzenno · 04-26-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ar design

I wonder how much polishing the intake ports would help with reducing carbon buildup?

As soon as you get even a slightest coat on there it'd be too easy to get the rest to stick...as you know this gunk that comes down the PCV pathways isn't clean oil...its thick and disgusting...

original86 · 04-26-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ianthegreat

I'll probably pull the intake mani out of curiosity, but I don't buy that 1. carbon is clogging the injectors, and 2. the carbon build up (i've seen in threads so far) is all that detrimental.

Considering BMWs stance on failing injectors is "carbon deposits forming on injector tips (pindles)" I assume its pretty safe to say its definitely an issue.
I`ve been through three**** sets of injectors... in less than 40k miles.
My shop foreman and tech (always use the same one) confidently state that is the issue, especially with cold-start misfires... aka leaking injectors.

Need more evidence? VW/Audi have admitted the same... the latest N54 injectors supposedly have a revisited coating that should prevent the deposits from forming... how they do in such a harsh environment to begin with is beyond me... yet its another example of what a PIA deposits are.

Valves opening, valve overlap etc all play a role which everyone except the engineers themselves will never truly know the extent of.

StylinE92 · 04-26-2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turkish335

does type of fuel play a role? For example, Shell v-power has nitrogen and other detergents that claim to keep valves clean:

http://www.shell.ca/home/content/can.../shell_vpower/

Unfortunately this is very common for direct injection engines. All the additives in the world won't do a damn thing if the gas is injected into the cylinder with direct injection. The idea of the additives is when the fuel goes into the engine past the valves it cleans any deposits off the valves (it keeps the fuel system clean as well). With direct injection the fuel is injected into the cylinders and does not go in throught the intake valves so it can't keep them clean. The only good thing with direct injection is the fuel being sprayed onto the top of the piston keeps the cylinder and engine running cooler and prevents detonation.

TrevTrav · 04-26-2011, 08:51 PM

Just curious what the plastic intake manifold looks like when taken off. Is it coated in sludge or is the build up limited to the head?

Rotorocious · 04-26-2011, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoxerBimmer

Just curious what the plastic intake manifold looks like when taken off. Is it coated in sludge or is the build up limited to the head?

Mine had oily crap near the head section.
Even the throttle body had very little liquid oil on it.

I poured some cleaner in it and swished it around and it came out black a few times.(Cleaner went in clear)

04-24-2011, 09:17 PM	#46
momstmg78 Banned 12 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 335i sedan Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Turkish's house iTrader: (0)	Zeph I would say wait until you have around 40k miles, then clean valves, replace spark plugs and oil. Hope that helps
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04-24-2011, 09:20 PM	#47
dicostal Lieutenant 55 Rep 495 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Italian in CT - USA iTrader: (0)	Can you do anything to prevent this from happening?
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04-24-2011, 09:26 PM	#49
momstmg78 Banned 12 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 335i sedan Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Turkish's house iTrader: (0)	I don't think it can be prevented, you just have to clean them about every 40k miles. People with catch cans and meth still have this problem.
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04-24-2011, 10:32 PM	#50
ianthegreat Colonel 63 Rep 2,314 Posts Drives: n54 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh/Houston iTrader: (1)	I'll probably pull the intake mani out of curiosity, but I don't buy that 1. carbon is clogging the injectors, and 2. the carbon build up (i've seen in threads so far) is all that detrimental.
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04-25-2011, 01:10 AM	#53
dzenno Banned 287 Rep 5,876 Posts Drives: Join Date: Feb 2006 iTrader: (1)	Before: After: All thanks to Columbus Automotive Mississauga for this absolutely immaculate intake valve cleaning job...awesome!
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04-25-2011, 10:35 AM	#56
ar design 302 Rep 4,408 Posts Drives: 04 M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (9)	I wonder how much polishing the intake ports would help with reducing carbon buildup?
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04-25-2011, 11:01 AM	#58
Sniz Lieutenant General 682 Rep 10,584 Posts Drives: e92 335 - gone // e36 M3 turbo Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (1)	good job Dzenno, curious as to why you had your IM off anyway? __________________
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04-25-2011, 05:41 PM	#59
marcvtec Banned 411 Rep 2,703 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	Hey Dz, what did they use and pm the contact info please, thanks
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04-26-2011, 12:33 PM	#60
Mr. 5 Modder Raider 802 Rep 8,633 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Surf City, HB iTrader: (31) Garage List 2007 e90 335i [8.00]	Thread cleaned! Those who continue to make personal remarks will receive infrations. __________________ e36 M3 Coupe, e36 325i Sedan e90 335i--SOLD Best 60-130-------------9.15 Seconds------------------WWW.MR5RACING.COM
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04-26-2011, 08:51 PM	#65
TrevTrav Private 11 Rep 65 Posts Drives: Jp GC, R1200RS, Corvair Monza Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Indinanapolis, IN iTrader: (1)	Just curious what the plastic intake manifold looks like when taken off. Is it coated in sludge or is the build up limited to the head?
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