Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2798
- Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2016 2:49 am
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
A tip? Don't let any walnut shell debris into any part of the engine.
Vidi, vici, veni
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
I think the fan’s electric & not coupled to the engine mechanically?scootr wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 9:41 pm 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
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- scootr
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1521
- Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:27 am
- Location: USA
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
Smartbear wrote: ↑Thu Feb 13, 2020 1:01 pmI think the fan’s electric & not coupled to the engine mechanically?scootr wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 9:41 pm 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
Rob
You could be right... I'm so old school I learned mechanics when things were... well, mechanical.
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
Michelin P4s
Bilstein struts & shocks
Luxon tower brace
Michelin P4s
Bilstein struts & shocks
Luxon tower brace
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
Likewise.
Not walnut blasting it. But the advice applies for any of the gunk left over. Some info says it will just burn off in the cylinder (or blow throw the exhaust), but I'd prefer it not to go through the cats or cylinders so will do my best to get each intake valve port clean & dry before moving onto the next ones (and will cover the open ports while working on the closed ones).
I suspect Rob is right, but I might look into other ways to move the valves to the closed position. It would be good if there was a 'mechanical' way to do it (without any special tools) rather than energising the starter motor to kick it over until you've got the valves just right.scootr wrote: ↑Thu Feb 13, 2020 5:59 pmSmartbear wrote: ↑Thu Feb 13, 2020 1:01 pmI think the fan’s electric & not coupled to the engine mechanically?scootr wrote: ↑Wed Feb 12, 2020 9:41 pm 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
Rob
You could be right... I'm so old school I learned mechanics when things were... well, mechanical.
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
What medium are you using if it’s not walnut shell?
Rob
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
CRC Intake Valve Cleaner. Dissolves the carbon buildup. The instructions say to spray it into the throttle body (past the MAF sensor) with the engine running blah blah, but I do not want stuff going through the engine and cats, so the other method is similar to walnut blasting (remove the intake manifold and to access the back of the valves directly) except you spray the cleaner instead of blasting with any media.
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
-
OnlineChippie
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:11 pm
- Location: Wakefield
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
I think spraying in while the engine is running you would have to use the intake cleaner on a regular basis to keep the values clean, say every 1k miles, it does a good job of removing the carbon buildup but to remove large deposits they need to be submerged for a while to dissolve it,enzed4 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 7:53 am CRC Intake Valve Cleaner. Dissolves the carbon buildup. The instructions say to spray it into the throttle body (past the MAF sensor) with the engine running blah blah, but I do not want stuff going through the engine and cats, so the other method is similar to walnut blasting (remove the intake manifold and to access the back of the valves directly) except you spray the cleaner instead of blasting with any media.
If you aren’t using any medium to blast the valves you will need some sharp tools to scrape the carbon off once it’s been softened, the cleaner turns it to a tar like consistency, you would be better getting 2 or 3 cans as I found the reaction stopped after a while and had to keep re applying even with using the walnuts to remove all the deposits
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather
- enzed4
- Lifer
- Posts: 3033
- Joined: Fri May 16, 2014 9:23 am
- Location: New Zealand
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
If using the product while the engine is running the manufacturer recommends every 16,000km (or sooner if symptoms occur) which seems an admission that its not as effective used that way. I have 2 cans of the intake cleaner and 2 cans of brake cleaner, a syringe and tubing, and a false sense of confidenceChippie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 8:19 amI think spraying in while the engine is running you would have to use the intake cleaner on a regular basis to keep the values clean, say every 1k miles, it does a good job of removing the carbon buildup but to remove large deposits they need to be submerged for a while to dissolve it,enzed4 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 7:53 am CRC Intake Valve Cleaner. Dissolves the carbon buildup. The instructions say to spray it into the throttle body (past the MAF sensor) with the engine running blah blah, but I do not want stuff going through the engine and cats, so the other method is similar to walnut blasting (remove the intake manifold and to access the back of the valves directly) except you spray the cleaner instead of blasting with any media.
If you aren’t using any medium to blast the valves you will need some sharp tools to scrape the carbon off once it’s been softened, the cleaner turns it to a tar like consistency, you would be better getting 2 or 3 cans as I found the reaction stopped after a while and had to keep re applying even with using the walnuts to remove all the deposits
Gone: 2010 35i DCT
Gone: 2008 2.5Si Sport
- scootr
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1521
- Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:27 am
- Location: USA
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
I'm confused as to what good spaying the cleaner into the intake will do since that airflow does not wash over the backside of the intake valve where the unwanted deposit is accumulated.
The you tube video linked showed the intake removed and the solvent working well to completely dissolve the deposits.
Also google search reveals you can rotate the engine crankshaft with a big ratchet on the (21-22mm) bolt on the largest pulley on the engine with the plugs out. Manual transmissions need to be in neutral.
The you tube video linked showed the intake removed and the solvent working well to completely dissolve the deposits.
Also google search reveals you can rotate the engine crankshaft with a big ratchet on the (21-22mm) bolt on the largest pulley on the engine with the plugs out. Manual transmissions need to be in neutral.
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
Michelin P4s
Bilstein struts & shocks
Luxon tower brace
Michelin P4s
Bilstein struts & shocks
Luxon tower brace
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
Surely if the valves being cleaned are fully closed then the cleaner will have access to every part of the surface of those valves. What part would be inaccessible?scootr wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 3:17 pm I'm confused as to what good spaying the cleaner into the intake will do since that airflow does not wash over the backside of the intake valve where the unwanted deposit is accumulated.
The you tube video linked showed the intake removed and the solvent working well to completely dissolve the deposits.
Also google search reveals you can rotate the engine crankshaft with a big ratchet on the (21-22mm) bolt on the largest pulley on the engine with the plugs out. Manual transmissions need to be in neutral.
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
- scootr
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1521
- Joined: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:27 am
- Location: USA
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
I was referring to the advice to spray the cleaner into a running engine. ( sorry if I wasn't clear, it's early here, not enough coffee yet )
E89 3.0L 6 MT gone
Michelin P4s
Bilstein struts & shocks
Luxon tower brace
Michelin P4s
Bilstein struts & shocks
Luxon tower brace
-
OnlineChippie
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:11 pm
- Location: Wakefield
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
I think he mean spraying with the engine running, as the air flow will hit the front and side’s of the valves and not the back, but if done on a regular basis then surely it would keep the valves clean as the oil/carbon deposits also flow with the air past the valves hitting mainly the front and side’s of the valvesSmartbear wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:05 pmSurely if the valves being cleaned are fully closed then the cleaner will have access to every part of the surface of those valves. What part would be inaccessible?scootr wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 3:17 pm I'm confused as to what good spaying the cleaner into the intake will do since that airflow does not wash over the backside of the intake valve where the unwanted deposit is accumulated.
The you tube video linked showed the intake removed and the solvent working well to completely dissolve the deposits.
Also google search reveals you can rotate the engine crankshaft with a big ratchet on the (21-22mm) bolt on the largest pulley on the engine with the plugs out. Manual transmissions need to be in neutral.
Rob
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather
- Smartbear
- Lifer
- Posts: 13685
- Joined: Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:54 pm
- Location: a barn in Somerset
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
I think the oil/carbon residue is mainly deposited during the valve overlap phase of combustion with the direct injection engines, so doesn’t coat the valves in the same way.Chippie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:22 pmI think he mean spraying with the engine running, as the air flow will hit the front and side’s of the valves and not the back, but if done on a regular basis then surely it would keep the valves clean as the oil/carbon deposits also flow with the air past the valves hitting mainly the front and side’s of the valvesSmartbear wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:05 pmSurely if the valves being cleaned are fully closed then the cleaner will have access to every part of the surface of those valves. What part would be inaccessible?scootr wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 3:17 pm I'm confused as to what good spaying the cleaner into the intake will do since that airflow does not wash over the backside of the intake valve where the unwanted deposit is accumulated.
The you tube video linked showed the intake removed and the solvent working well to completely dissolve the deposits.
Also google search reveals you can rotate the engine crankshaft with a big ratchet on the (21-22mm) bolt on the largest pulley on the engine with the plugs out. Manual transmissions need to be in neutral.
Rob
It’s just air hitting the valves from the inlet manifold (with a slight amount from the ccv just for good luck)
Rob
e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold
-
OnlineChippie
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2311
- Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2019 9:11 pm
- Location: Wakefield
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
Smartbear wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 9:39 pmI think the oil/carbon residue is mainly deposited during the valve overlap phase of combustion with the direct injection engines, so doesn’t coat the valves in the same way.Chippie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 14, 2020 4:22 pmI think he mean spraying with the engine running, as the air flow will hit the front and side’s of the valves and not the back, but if done on a regular basis then surely it would keep the valves clean as the oil/carbon deposits also flow with the air past the valves hitting mainly the front and side’s of the valves
It’s just air hitting the valves from the inlet manifold (with a slight amount from the ccv just for good luck)
Rob
A quick google search found this:
Although intake valve deposits are a normal by-product of combustion, they can build up quicker if the valve guides or seals are worn, or in vehicles with variable valve timing, where the valves are open for longer and are therefore exposed to more carbon particles.
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2551
- Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 3:40 pm
- Location: Plymouth
Doing an Intake Valve Clean - any tips?
On a direct injection engine its considered good practice to fit a baffled oil catch can, mishimoto make the best.
You can buy it as a kit with all hoses etc.
In a nutshell the catch can is a small 'can' with a filter to catch oil mist and a baffle to stop 'slop' if your driving it like a grand theft auto muppet.
It connects between the crankcase breather and the inlet manifold and reduces the amount of crankcase oil mist entering the inlet manifold, this mist and crud is what builds up on your valves.
The amount of crud is relevant to engine wear and age so the older the car/engine gets the more useful the can is.
See my post here viewtopic.php?f=23&t=119149&p=1705789#p1705789
You can buy it as a kit with all hoses etc.
In a nutshell the catch can is a small 'can' with a filter to catch oil mist and a baffle to stop 'slop' if your driving it like a grand theft auto muppet.
It connects between the crankcase breather and the inlet manifold and reduces the amount of crankcase oil mist entering the inlet manifold, this mist and crud is what builds up on your valves.
The amount of crud is relevant to engine wear and age so the older the car/engine gets the more useful the can is.
See my post here viewtopic.php?f=23&t=119149&p=1705789#p1705789
Mark
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather
Plymouth
E89
35i
Carmine Red
Black leather