My favorite N52 Placebo

StealYourFace · 05-13-2014, 10:48 AM

I changed the oil/filter, air filter and sprayed the MAF with MAF cleaner over the weekend.... The idle is smooth as new, and the throttle response is awesome. Noticeable difference, or... noticeable placebo

andrey_gta · 05-13-2014, 12:46 PM

Oil changes usually have the most effect out of what you listed. Enjoy

My favorite placebo is a clutch stop & CDv remove

Dylanize · 05-13-2014, 02:40 PM

I don't notice anything when I change my oil! But then again I usually don't let my oil get anywhere close to being "old/used".

StealYourFace · 05-13-2014, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylanize

I don't notice anything when I change my oil! But then again I usually don't let my oil get anywhere close to being "old/used".

Me either, typically around 8000 miles, and I change the oil filter halfway through that. The first time I changed the oil in the sun and saw how gunky it gets in the filter housing, I lost all faith that the filter lasts the whole interval.

mlifxs · 05-13-2014, 04:50 PM

OP maybe not placebo. I did something similar over the weekend as my engine was acting like a drama queen...mild surges at cold start idle, rough downshifts when slowing down. Changed the air filter, cleaned the MAF, cleaned the vanos solenoids, Much better now and not placebo.

Below is a pic of my K&N filter, a year since last cleaned and oiled. It was so bad I decided to put a paper filter in as I think it will take a while to clean and dry this one completely (maybe it will be permanently retired). Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a pic of the outer section of the airbox: full of grime and 6-8 yellow jackets (insects). wtf, I guess I live in Florida.

StealYourFace · 05-14-2014, 06:59 AM

Wow, that thing took a beating.

I had an issue years ago gunking up a MAF on a gm car with a k&n filter because of the oil (out of the box). I know some people swear by them, but it isn't worth the hassle for me. At the end of the day, with the charcoal filter out of there I doubt a clean paper filter is holding the engine back, based on the inlet size of the box.

mlifxs · 05-14-2014, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I doubt a clean paper filter is holding the engine back, based on the inlet size of the box.

I agree. Not to mention the down time of cleaning and drying out. With our humidity, the cleaning process takes almost an entire day.

bimmerquick43321 · 05-14-2014, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlifxs

I agree. Not to mention the down time of cleaning and drying out. With our humidity, the cleaning process takes almost an entire day.

I have a trick for that once you wash it up

1. First go outside and shake off the excess water take your time and make sure no droplets of water fall when you move it around

2. Take a blow dryer, put it on lowest blowing setting and use only cold air (there's usually a button to stop the heating of the air)

3. Turn the filter on it's back meaning you blow as the air would go in the engine and put it on some paper towels or something.

4. Start the blow dryer as mentioned above, keep a good distance, (btw if there's high winds outside that also works just leaving it outside obviously not on it's backside.

5. Depending on how well you did step1 keep doing step 4 for around 10-15+ minutes.

6. Once done make sure it's dried

7. Apply the oil on the filter

8. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to remove any excess oil on the filter.

That's it, worked fine for me for 2 years, I have no symptoms of a dirty MAF.

mlifxs · 05-14-2014, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mecbain

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlifxs

I agree. Not to mention the down time of cleaning and drying out. With our humidity, the cleaning process takes almost an entire day.

I have a trick for that once you wash it up

1. First go outside and shake off the excess water take your time and make sure no droplets of water fall when you move it around

2. Take a blow dryer, put it on lowest blowing setting and use only cold air (there's usually a button to stop the heating of the air)

3. Turn the filter on it's back meaning you blow as the air would go in the engine and put it on some paper towels or something.

4. Start the blow dryer as mentioned above, keep a good distance, (btw if there's high winds outside that also works just leaving it outside obviously not on it's backside.

5. Depending on how well you did step1 keep doing step 4 for around 10-15+ minutes.

6. Once done make sure it's dried

7. Apply the oil on the filter

8. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to remove any excess oil on the filter.

That's it, worked fine for me for 2 years, I have no symptoms of a dirty MAF.

thanks, good ideas

cdgatti · 05-14-2014, 12:13 PM

I cleaned my K&N in my eurobox recently. I just put in an old paper unit that's not too bad and give the filter a good week or so to dry outside the car. Haven't done the vanos yet will have to look into that one...

I just changed my plugs at 74K miles and there is a definite improvment in the responsiveness of the engine.

05-13-2014, 10:48 AM	#1
StealYourFace Lieutenant Colonel 261 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: F30 328i M 6mt, E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY iTrader: (1)	My favorite N52 Placebo I changed the oil/filter, air filter and sprayed the MAF with MAF cleaner over the weekend.... The idle is smooth as new, and the throttle response is awesome. Noticeable difference, or... noticeable placebo __________________
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05-13-2014, 12:46 PM	#2
andrey_gta Brigadier General 298 Rep 4,040 Posts Drives: 130i coupé ;) Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Bimmerpost iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 128i [10.00]	Oil changes usually have the most effect out of what you listed. Enjoy My favorite placebo is a clutch stop & CDv remove __________________ 128i Sport 6MT converted to Euro 130i spec, 3.73 diff, tuned by evolve ~220 whp 207 wtq(ft-lb) SAE In-progress: //M front arm, M3 rack, e36M lip Wishlist: Coils, n55 mnts, headers, LSD, e60 finn diff "The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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05-13-2014, 02:40 PM	#3
Dylanize Captain Dutch Rudder 204 Rep 2,258 Posts Drives: AMG Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (8)	I don't notice anything when I change my oil! But then again I usually don't let my oil get anywhere close to being "old/used". __________________ No more E92 or E82
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05-13-2014, 04:50 PM	#5
mlifxs Diamond Geezer 212 Rep 2,385 Posts Drives: Jet Black 2007 328i Saloon Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (6) Garage List 2016 VW Golf Sportw ... [10.00]	OP maybe not placebo. I did something similar over the weekend as my engine was acting like a drama queen...mild surges at cold start idle, rough downshifts when slowing down. Changed the air filter, cleaned the MAF, cleaned the vanos solenoids, Much better now and not placebo. Below is a pic of my K&N filter, a year since last cleaned and oiled. It was so bad I decided to put a paper filter in as I think it will take a while to clean and dry this one completely (maybe it will be permanently retired). Unfortunately, I didn't think to take a pic of the outer section of the airbox: full of grime and 6-8 yellow jackets (insects). wtf, I guess I live in Florida. Attached Images
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05-14-2014, 06:59 AM	#6
StealYourFace Lieutenant Colonel 261 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: F30 328i M 6mt, E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Shakedown Street, Buffalo NY iTrader: (1)	Wow, that thing took a beating. I had an issue years ago gunking up a MAF on a gm car with a k&n filter because of the oil (out of the box). I know some people swear by them, but it isn't worth the hassle for me. At the end of the day, with the charcoal filter out of there I doubt a clean paper filter is holding the engine back, based on the inlet size of the box. __________________
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05-14-2014, 12:13 PM	#10
cdgatti Colonel 255 Rep 2,547 Posts Drives: e90 328i Join Date: May 2011 Location: KY iTrader: (4)	I cleaned my K&N in my eurobox recently. I just put in an old paper unit that's not too bad and give the filter a good week or so to dry outside the car. Haven't done the vanos yet will have to look into that one... I just changed my plugs at 74K miles and there is a definite improvment in the responsiveness of the engine.
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