BG44K cleaner - Anyone tried it?

B

BobZ4

Member
Hi,

I was feeling brave so i went to my local budget to get some BG44K added to my fuel tank, I have read that the 3 litre engines can get chocked up with deposits over the years causing performance problems. When i was changing my spark plugs i had a look around, i was surprised to see how sooted everything looked inside it was absolutely caked in black stuff inside (i know the engine combustion chamber isn't supposed to be clean but the chamber was looking a bit chocked).

According to the instructions I have to run it down to 1/4 then fill the tank, 1 can treat 75 ltires so i guess the guy shouldn't have put in the whole can if my car only takes 55 litres :? . I will be topping up at 1/2 a tank me thinks, fingers crossed on the results as i have read good things about this stuff.

Anyway, i will let you guys know how it goes.
 
cj10jeeper said:
BMW specifically recommend agains the use of any such cleaners or additives to fuel.
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Really, then why is there an official techincal bulletin for using a cleaning additive (see link).

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/n9320h/2010-02-02_154025_BMW.pdf

I tried to buy some at my local dealer and they didnt know what i was talking about, they recommend visiting Halfords to buy some injector cleaner. I read somewhere that BMW are looking at this product and they are thinking about adding in to their service plans, I believe that Jaguar are also looking at BG44K.

I am not saying BMW recommend this product but going on some feedback i have seen the results are better than most products, please note anyone with a warranty may void coverage of the treated parts according to the bulletin. I guess BMW want you to visit them an give them money rather than doing it yourself.
 
Quote from a web search, '.........some of the chemicals used in these [injector] cleaners not only clean the injector they also eat away at the injector itself.' This refers to the off the shelf stuff the likes of which Halfords sell to the 1.2 Super Mini 'GTXRX ZR etc....Sport' boys. Probably a risk I'm not going to take by using something from Halfords shelf so perhaps that's why CJ quite rightly identifies that BMW do not recommend such additives/cleaners.

The BMW service bulletin identifies a proprietary BMW branded cleaner so if required i'll stick with that but only if necessary. As for problems these can be significantly reduced if not elliminated by using good quality fuels which contain cleaning agents - put non branded 'cheap' fuels into your Zed at your own risk and which may not only create coking of the injectors but also the intake valves and the potential for pre ignition.

Bob Z4 - As for the dealer not knowing what the cleaner was - did you ask the parts department to check the 11 digit part number of their inventory system - low and behold there it is! Just a case of asking the right question with the right information. I guess BMW do want me to visit them and spend my money but I would rather do that in this case than visit Halfords and waste my money - no choice for me!
 
That bulletin says to only do it if theres poor running conditions, not as a routine service, ive never known of any manufacturer that recommends this as standard parctise. Maybe dealerships try it on, but its only to make a quick buck and should be slapped for it... Iirc you should change your fuel filter after using these treatments? The only useful thing fuel cleaner will do is *maybe* unclog injectors if they are partially blocked from using rubbish fuel (European fuel quality is much better than most of the world).

If your plugs are coked or oiled, its more likely you have an underlying problem. M54's are quite lean burning engines so they should be a mixture of grey/brown. If they are as you say, you probably have an O2(Lambda) sensor on its way out. If its more wet looking with odour, its more likely oil...
 
Not sure on the later BMW engines but my M42 in my compact is pretty 'choked' as described above on the sparkplugs if you dont let her warm up, I noticed this after changing the sparkplus after a cold start and then checking them later after a good run......

had your car had a proper warm up / run before you had a look ?

BTW M52B28 should be in the engine bay before summer ends ! 8)
 
Thanks Alan - think you have eloquently answered the point with contribution from Ed.

I'll find the source I reference when I get time.
 
Sorry guys i should have started off by saying I have been trying to get to the bottom of my intermitant hesitation, I did take it to the dealer and the technician took the car out for a spin and said it seemed fine. He did acknowledge that i would probably notice it more being the daily driver of the car, he recommended booking it in for a software update on the DME to see if that made any difference but couldnt promise it would resolve the issue. Since then i have tried the following:

Cleaned MAF with CRC spray
Replaced Vanos Oil Seals with Beisan seals
Replaced ignition coils
Replaced spark plugs
Replaced DISA valve which was slightly loose feeling (probably fine though)
Disconnected battery for 30 minutes
Oil change

I am at a point now where i dont want to throw any more money at the issue. When said the chamber look choked i wasnt talking about the spark plugs i meant inside, i did read that these engines can get choked up inside and i thought BG44K was worth a try. I havent done many miles since the treatment but i will let you all know how it goes.
 
At what RPM/Throttle are you experiencing this? Have you tried a Throttlebody reset? Could also be the VANOS seals going.
 
EdButler said:
At what RPM/Throttle are you experiencing this? Have you tried a Throttlebody reset? Could also be the VANOS seals going.
Click to expand...

It is more noticeable around 4K rpm upwards. I did read a bulletin about the 4,000 rpm dip, the article says the DME should be updated at the dealer and the adaptations reset, i might book the car in to get that done next. Regarding the Vanos oil seals, i replaced them with the Beisan seals recently and they should be broken in by now.
 
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