[Ryan Mills]

Originally Posted by Vroom

Next time for me will be dry ice blasting. Sublimation!

That would be ideal. It would be cool if there was an easy way to rent one of those blasters, but they don't seem to be too popular yet.

[Vroom]

A few guys @ work w/ DI cars are talking about a group rent in my garage. It won't be happening soon since I did mine 4 months ago and I'm not venting into the intake.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by Ryan Mills

I did my valves last week. I intended to do a write up with before and after pics, but after taking the befoer pics, I just wanted to get done with it. I bought the $35 media blaster from harbor freight and walnut shells to clean the valves, but I also had to use picks ansd carb cleaner to get the crud off. The stuff sticking to the backside of the wall was sticky like tar, and the walnut shells just stuck to it. I didn't use the adapter to hook up to a vacuumm, so it was a huge mess. So what I learned was:

Walnut shells work, but make a huge mess, and you have to use carb cleaner anyway.

Carb/intake cleaner works better than brake kleen.

Rifle cleaning kit from walmart works well as cleaning brushes, plus you can attach the brushes to a drill.

If I were to do it all again, I would use a gun cleaning kit, shopvac, and 6 cans of carb cleaner, even though it take more time.

On a side note, my idle is much more consistent and I don't have the random studder/misfire at idle. At idle, the RPMs stay at 600 or so when warm and it no longer randomly hunts between 600-750 rpm.

Methanol doesn't seem to make any difference, it might actually make the situation worse since it seems to moisten the gunk and make it sticky so a media balster is less effective.

Only thing keeping me from doing this is getting the valves to "seat" so you can clean them, I have a AT and was told you can tap the start button but then the car would try to start.... Don't see how that would work? I believe 3 of the cylinders are at TDC so you can clean those but you have to turn the crank bolt and that is hard to get to!

[Vroom]

Here's how I turned the engine over for another purpose.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14595

[Bimmer Barney]

So I just talked with a buddy who's brother is a BMW Master Technician, working at a private shop. He said he'd do the Walnut Blasting using the professional equipment for me for $300 plus the cost of the gaskets. That's the best deal I've seen on the forums or through calling around.

I threw out the idea of a "group buy" to him at that price. He's in Lake Forest, CA. Would anyone be interested in this service? I'll let you know what he says.

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by Vroom

Here's how I turned the engine over for another purpose.

http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14595

That's not to bad, my concern is not getting build- up/cleaner past the valves and getting the valves seated so this does not happen.

[Bimmer Barney]

I posted in the For Sale section. Looks like if we can get 6 including me, the BMW Master Mechanic will do this service in his shop for $300 plus cost of gaskets.

[robc1976]

I was luck, 4 of my valves were closed instead of 2 or 3.... This is not that are, easier than I thought!

[bigugly]

Just got done with before/after dyno pulls in Dallas.
made a few ponies more
still have some slots open for this week if anyone wants to do it
Let me know,
832-797-9114

[bigugly]

Find pictures of cleaner valves, I dare ya


got two tomorrow! w00t!

[Vroom]

[Ryan Mills]

walnut shell!!!! I've seen it with my own eyes. It's really not a big deal. it goes right through without f-ing anything up. Now to show a cleaner valve...let me see...
I guess mine were decent for a first attempt


This is what it looked like before. 61k miles, about 700 of them on meth.

[robc1976]

I cleaned mine and forgt to take pics I will say it had to be done before because they where not that bad... The wire holder bracket was gone (under the intake)....cylinder 3 was pretty clean.

[MathR601]

Did you guys replace the gaskets/orings of the intake ports or you can reuse them?

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by MathR601

Did you guys replace the gaskets/orings of the intake ports or you can reuse them?

I replaced mine $32.00 at BMW for the set

[Vroom]

Bought a set for $25 & left them in the spare parts drawer & reused the originals because they were in excellent shape.

[bigugly]

Why waste your day, possibly break/damage something for mediocre results? Just bring it to me for killer results

Just got done with one, starting another one!

[robc1976]

Originally Posted by bigugly

Why waste your day, possibly break/damage something for mediocre results? Just bring it to me for killer results

Just got done with one, starting another one!

If you where in my area I would have, I did get great results put I would rather had it done lol!!

[bigugly]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Barney

I just called HP Autowerkes to ask about valve cleaning. Peter recommended doing a chemical clean through the intake track, followed by an oil and filter change. He said they've seen gains of 20whp on the dyno after doing this.

Your thoughts? Cost is $175

oh- hey forgot to update the thread:

we did a back to back dyno run on one car.

pulled 354 to the ground on a dyno dynamics.
did the intake cleaning.
no gain at ALL.
gained on the low end, lost on the big end.

our suspicions are that, the car has not had time to adapt to the new airflow, and was pulling timing/fuel due to it not being used to it.

everyone who has had this done has said it got better a few days after driving.... maybe THAT would show a power increase, but this is more for drivability and maintenance

[e90man]

I'm doing the walnut blasting now. Cylinders 2, 3, 4, and 6 valves seem to all be closed. Is that possible? Ive only cleaned cylinder 2 so far. Looks so much better!

[e90man]

Originally Posted by e90man

I'm doing the walnut blasting now. Cylinders 2, 3, 4, and 6 valves seem to all be closed. Is that possible? Ive only cleaned cylinder 2 so far. Looks so much better!

In response to my own post, yes, 2, 3, 4, and 6 were all closed. Verified by liquid (carb cleaner) puddling.

So yes, this is possible.

[N54 TuNeR]

You think with 29,000 miles It should be done? History-9000 miles jb3 went in but now jb4.occ at 19,000 miles.20,000 miles meth went on.should I look for signs?

[e90man]

If you're not having any problems I would wait until 50k miles or so.

I'd like to see the buildup from people using mainly 0W-40 Mobile 1 as Terry has suggested using. Mine weren't as bad as I expected them to be, I've seen pictures of lower mileage cars with much more buildup. I switched to Mobile 1 at about 50k miles or so, now has 65k. I doubt it will prevent the buildup, but maybe it will help.

[ZZ70SS]

Originally Posted by N54 TuNeR

You think with 29,000 miles It should be done? History-9000 miles jb3 went in but now jb4.occ at 19,000 miles.20,000 miles meth went on.should I look for signs?

Here's mine at 52K. Always have used Mobil 1 0W40. Running FBO since 35k, OCC from 45k.





As far as looking for signs, I noticed my car was beginning to idle irregularly and was getting lurchy when I would hold throttle at a steady high rpm (4k+). If you are not having any issues, I wouldn't worry about it until 50k unless you really feel like punishing yourself because it's not fun.

[N54 TuNeR]

Originally Posted by ZZ70SS

Here's mine at 52K. Always have used Mobil 1 0W40. Running FBO since 35k, OCC from 45k.





As far as looking for signs, I noticed my car was beginning to idle irregularly and was getting lurchy when I would hold throttle at a steady high rpm (4k+). If you are not having any issues, I wouldn't worry about it until 50k unless you really feel like punishing yourself because it's not fun.

wow thats crazy.well thx,car feels good so will wait then.figured id ask.im anal when it comes to my toys