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Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
As the title says, I will be attempting to clean the intake valves this weekend prior to fitting a new fmic and charge pipe, and remapping.
There are plenty of youtube vids online, I've found what looks like a good one for a 335i that shows all of the steps, but was wondering if anyone here has done it and can offer any tips that might help save me any pain/frustration?
I will be using the CRC intake cleaner - have one can, hopefully this will be enough.
What method do you use to move the valves into the closed position? The video looked a bit sketchy using a wire across the starter motor but if this is the normal method I guess it will do. Also, it seems like a good idea to remove the spark plugs as well, to blow out any residue after cleaning (and removing as much as possible) rather than letting it fall into the cylinders, but the video only mentioned this after he found wet plugs post clean.
I tried to get this done professionally but wasn't happy with what was on offer (I think it was that hydrogen clean which reviews seem to show doesn't do a thorough job). No one does walnut blasting that I could find.
Thanks.
There are plenty of youtube vids online, I've found what looks like a good one for a 335i that shows all of the steps, but was wondering if anyone here has done it and can offer any tips that might help save me any pain/frustration?
I will be using the CRC intake cleaner - have one can, hopefully this will be enough.
What method do you use to move the valves into the closed position? The video looked a bit sketchy using a wire across the starter motor but if this is the normal method I guess it will do. Also, it seems like a good idea to remove the spark plugs as well, to blow out any residue after cleaning (and removing as much as possible) rather than letting it fall into the cylinders, but the video only mentioned this after he found wet plugs post clean.
I tried to get this done professionally but wasn't happy with what was on offer (I think it was that hydrogen clean which reviews seem to show doesn't do a thorough job). No one does walnut blasting that I could find.
Thanks.
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- R.E92
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1644
- Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2013 10:10 am
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
Wire across the starter is the normal method for DIY. If you take the plugs out before blasting you're more likely to end up with crap in the cylinder, probably best to leave them in place.
I had mine done about 40k miles ago, the dealer did it for £200 while it was in for an MOT so i didn't bother going through the hassle of a DIY. I'll inspect it again soon and see how bad they are after 40k miles, I'm hoping that because of the reduced valve overlap in my tune that it won't be as bad.
I had mine done about 40k miles ago, the dealer did it for £200 while it was in for an MOT so i didn't bother going through the hassle of a DIY. I'll inspect it again soon and see how bad they are after 40k miles, I'm hoping that because of the reduced valve overlap in my tune that it won't be as bad.
- Chippie
- Senior Member
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Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
I did mine a few months ago, take spark plugs out as this will also allow the engine to turn over easier, just make sure you cover it he holes with plenty of rags, I used the wire on the starter motor,
I also used a cheep sand blasting kit with the walnut shells as well as the cleaner and some oven cleaner to soften the deposits, you may find one can won’t be enough, I also used a small syringe with a short piece of rubber pipe to suck the crap out before using compressed air to get them clean
I also used a cheep sand blasting kit with the walnut shells as well as the cleaner and some oven cleaner to soften the deposits, you may find one can won’t be enough, I also used a small syringe with a short piece of rubber pipe to suck the crap out before using compressed air to get them clean
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather
- scootr
- Senior Member
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- Location: USA
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
How many miles on your car? Last intake valve cleaning?
Another reason to love the N52
Another reason to love the N52
Last edited by scootr on Wed Feb 12, 2020 12:06 pm, edited 1 time in total.
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
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Michelin P4s
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- enuff_zed
- Lifer
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- Location: Attleborough, Norfolk
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
How essential is this?
Does it apply to all models?
Is this due to direct injection and therefore not getting petrol hitting the back of the valves?
Does it apply to all models?
Is this due to direct injection and therefore not getting petrol hitting the back of the valves?
- scootr
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Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
Apparently yes. Direct injection does not wash fuel over the backside of the intake valve allowing for buildup of carbon deposits on the seat surface etc. The NA engines can use a fuel additive like Liqui Moly to combat the problem. Which can be much cheaper and easier to use.
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
Michelin P4s
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Luxon tower brace
Michelin P4s
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- enuff_zed
- Lifer
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Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
Thanks. Something to bear in mind for the future then.scootr wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 12:08 pmApparently yes. Direct injection does not wash fuel over the backside of the intake valve allowing for buildup of carbon deposits on the seat surface etc. The NA engines can use a fuel additive like Liqui Moly to combat the problem. Which can be much cheaper and easier to use.
- scootr
- Senior Member
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Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
I read every 40-45k miles. 72k kmenuff_zed wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 12:17 pmThanks. Something to bear in mind for the future then.scootr wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 12:08 pmApparently yes. Direct injection does not wash fuel over the backside of the intake valve allowing for buildup of carbon deposits on the seat surface etc. The NA engines can use a fuel additive like Liqui Moly to combat the problem. Which can be much cheaper and easier to use.
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
Michelin P4s
Bilstein struts & shocks
Luxon tower brace
Michelin P4s
Bilstein struts & shocks
Luxon tower brace
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
When I had my mega service by B for BMW in January I asked for them to do the walnut blast..they said, on the N20 engines with less oil blow by that in their opinion it was a waste of time before 75k miles...I practically begged but they said it was a waste of my money..
Obviously depends on many factors..type of driving, fuel used, duration of trip etc etc..
- enuff_zed
- Lifer
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Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
And as one of the N20-owning elite ( ), I shall follow your advice. ThanksPbondar wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 1:39 pmWhen I had my mega service by B for BMW in January I asked for them to do the walnut blast..they said, on the N20 engines with less oil blow by that in their opinion it was a waste of time before 75k miles...I practically begged but they said it was a waste of my money..
Obviously depends on many factors..type of driving, fuel used, duration of trip etc etc..
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
50,000mi / 80,000km. No history of intake valve cleaning (not part of BMW scheduled service AFAIK).
Reading many threads and looking at videos online it seems to be a very common issue with the N54 engines. As mentioned by Scootr, the DI engines don't get fuel washing over the back of the intake valves and get a carbon build up, usually manifesting as a rough idle and lack of power. Once clean many owners fit a catch can to reduce the build up in future. I probably should, but don't actually see keeping the car long enough to justify it. (famous last words). I'm not really keen on DIY'ing it, but I might as well learn something and see how bad it is (or isn't) for myself.
I will probably take some before/after pics and post when done.
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
Thanks for the tip re the syringe and rubber pipe .Chippie wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 11:03 am I did mine a few months ago, take spark plugs out as this will also allow the engine to turn over easier, just make sure you cover it he holes with plenty of rags, I used the wire on the starter motor,
I also used a cheep sand blasting kit with the walnut shells as well as the cleaner and some oven cleaner to soften the deposits, you may find one can won’t be enough, I also used a small syringe with a short piece of rubber pipe to suck the crap out before using compressed air to get them clean
I now have one vote for remove spark plugs, and one for don't remove them. Doesn't make my life any easier
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- Chippie
- Senior Member
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Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
Here’s a couple of photos of before and after I did mine at 60000 miles
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather
- scootr
- Senior Member
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- Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:27 am
- Location: USA
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
I'd bet you might be able to turn her over by hand without the plugs? Worth a try, just grab the fan and turn once the plugs are out... you are replacing plugs now too? I was going to suggest you take pics of everything you are going to remove - for yourself. Having watched the manifold removal on line I see a bunch of stuff needs disconnecting. That can get confusing for not much DIYer guy upon reassembly
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
Michelin P4s
Bilstein struts & shocks
Luxon tower brace
Michelin P4s
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- Yal
- Member
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Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
My favorite BMW tech here in town has done a number of these. He offered to walk me through it, so will probably do that sometime this year... I don't mind doing my own wrenching as long as I have a good source of info. Beer, pizza and engine work, should be a fun day. Will be putting in a catch can as well.