E90Post
 


TNT Racewerks
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > N54 Turbo Engine / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications - 335i > Nut job done! Pictures inside. Gross!



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-13-2013, 07:48 PM   #1
carlsontheflyer
Private First Class
carlsontheflyer's Avatar
United_States
66
Rep
170
Posts

Drives: 2019 M2C, AW, 6MT of course!
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA

iTrader: (1)

Nut job done! Pictures inside. Gross!

My car is a 2010 e92 335i with only 36,500 miles. I have always used 93 octane fuel only from a top tier fuel distributor. I change oil every 5k miles using only approved BMW synthetic oil.

I wanted to give a little history of my car first because for the last few months my car had been experiencing certain symptoms indicative of intake valve carbon buildup. I've been noticing longer than usual cold starts, occasional rough idle, jerkiness while accelerating, and some loss of power.

So I made an appointment with Harrison Motorsports, a very good independent BMW and Mini shop in Atlanta, for walnut shell blasting service, or as I like to call it, a Nut Job.

Well, if any of you still have doubts about the intake valves getting fouled up with carbon in N54 engines, or you think that your car still has too low miles to worry about it or that your car is magically special, well, a picture is worth 1000 words. And please keep in mind what I said above, my car only has 36,500 miles and believe me, I am OCD when it comes to my car's maintenance.

Without further delay...

Before:








After:

__________________
Carlson The Flyer
2022 X3M Competition, Brooklyn Gray, fully loaded

Last edited by carlsontheflyer; 07-11-2013 at 11:01 AM..
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 07:56 PM   #2
Jeff@TopGearSolutions
Jeff@TopGearSolutions's Avatar
United_States
3441
Rep
79,212
Posts

Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com

iTrader: (37)

No surprise. Most people who argue that their valves won't get gunked up don't realize that fuel is not hitting the intake valves on this car. The injectors are in the combustion chamber not the intake. So it doesn't matter who's gas you use.... everyone valves will be gunked up by 35K miles, easily.
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 09:32 PM   #3
drjekl
Captain
35
Rep
809
Posts

Drives: E92 335i
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Oz

iTrader: (0)

your pics don't work for me?
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 09:34 PM   #4
napeHbNYC
Captain
United_States
234
Rep
990
Posts

Drives: 2007 e60 550i RWD 6MT
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: NY,NY

iTrader: (7)

Don't see pics either ;(
__________________
2010 Alpine White E90 335i RWD 6MT M/Premium/Cold
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 09:37 PM   #5
foghat
Captain
Canada
58
Rep
913
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Great White North

iTrader: (1)

yep. No pics man.
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 09:53 PM   #6
carlsontheflyer
Private First Class
carlsontheflyer's Avatar
United_States
66
Rep
170
Posts

Drives: 2019 M2C, AW, 6MT of course!
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA

iTrader: (1)

Sorry about that. Pics should work now.
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 10:15 PM   #7
danielg69
Private First Class
3
Rep
106
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Houston, TX

iTrader: (1)

Looks so nice afterwards. How much was it?
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 10:19 PM   #8
Revlis
Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free!
Revlis's Avatar
United_States
156
Rep
3,462
Posts

Drives: M4 i3 X3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Phoenix AZ

iTrader: (0)

Holy hell...

Would you mind describing your driving habits a bit? Commute length, driving style?

Just curious about about something, not EVEN going to start the "You Should be doing X or Y" BS.
__________________
A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 10:34 PM   #9
TenshiWingusu
Private First Class
TenshiWingusu's Avatar
United_States
7
Rep
105
Posts

Drives: '07 335xi
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: United States

iTrader: (0)

I had carbon buildup after 9,000 miles... Doesn't take long. Did the cleaning when I got the car at 72k and then BMW blasted them at 81k under CPO because they were bad again... It's amazing how small the margin for theses cars to run perfect is.
__________________
http://www.e90post.com/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=167262&dateline=13416  03411
Vishnu PROcede 2.5SE, BMS DCI, Evolution Racewerk Charge Pipe, HKS SSQV4
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 10:44 PM   #10
Bluesun
sudo su -
Bluesun's Avatar
52
Rep
236
Posts

Drives: 2018 McLaren 570S Spider
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ohio - CLE

iTrader: (0)

How much did it run you? Anyone know of a shop in the Cleveland area that will do it? My car has a pretty rough idle and uneven acceleration.
Appreciate 0
      06-13-2013, 10:45 PM   #11
Wedge1967
Banned
United_States
125
Rep
2,172
Posts

Drives: '07 e92 AT Sport Montego Blue
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Portland, OR

iTrader: (3)

75k and never cleaned them. Car runs great, but I've been spraying a LOT of meth... CWARREN just got a nozzle for blasting so hopefully I'll have it done sometime in the near future once he gets setup. Should be interesting to see how bad they are.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 04:33 AM   #12
SharkBait
First Lieutenant
14
Rep
308
Posts

Drives: 2010 E92 335i
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Lost Angeles

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Spoke to a BMW master tech today about this. He said that carbon buildup can start to have an effect on performance as quickly as 10k miles and that by 35k, a valve cleaning would make a noticeable difference for most customers. He also said that some injector failures were due to carbon fouling the injector tip as result of build up on the valves. He recommended I get a walnut blasting even though BMW wouldn't cover it unless the car was throwing codes or having easily noticeable running issues.

Looks like I'll be coughing up for one myself pretty soon.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 05:32 AM   #13
luv135i
Major
luv135i's Avatar
60
Rep
1,073
Posts

Drives: White
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: GA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluesun
How much did it run you? Anyone know of a shop in the Cleveland area that will do it? My car has a pretty rough idle and uneven acceleration.
Im in ga and would like to know this as well.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 06:27 AM   #14
1nityrider
Second Lieutenant
United_States
59
Rep
290
Posts

Drives: 2023 X4MC
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: St Paul

iTrader: (0)

Anybody who lives in the Twin cities (MN) and surrounding areas, I know someone that can do this for $350. I just did mine and wow wow! Engine feels like it's brand new.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 07:36 AM   #15
335xi Kevo
Lieutenant
335xi Kevo's Avatar
26
Rep
497
Posts

Drives: 2008 335xi
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: CT

iTrader: (3)

Quote:
Originally Posted by SharkBait
Spoke to a BMW master tech today about this. He said that carbon buildup can start to have an effect on performance as quickly as 10k miles and that by 35k, a valve cleaning would make a noticeable difference for most customers. He also said that some injector failures were due to carbon fouling the injector tip as result of build up on the valves. He recommended I get a walnut blasting even though BMW wouldn't cover it unless the car was throwing codes or having easily noticeable running issues.

Looks like I'll be coughing up for one myself pretty soon.
It's not a bad DIY. I did the rifle kit and brake kleen method.
__________________
08' 335xi 6MT
Space Metallic Grey
Premium, Nav, Cold weather, Sport
Procede 2.5, DCI, Forge DV, PWM, Scoops, KW V1, ETS 5" FMIC, VRSF Downpipes, M3 Skirts
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 07:38 AM   #16
jmftexas
Private
14
Rep
76
Posts

Drives: E92 335 / F30 335i
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Texas

iTrader: (0)

I just had my turbos replaced under the extended warranty for the wastegate rattle issue. While it was in I had them do the walnut blasting as was recommended by my SA. I had been having a noticeable hesitation when going to wide open throttle and had been considering having it done anyway so figured I might as well while they were in there for the turbos. I don't know if it was the turbos or the blasting (probably both) but holy hell does it feel better. No more hesitation and it pulls harder, wish I'd have done the blasting a year and a half ago.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 09:07 AM   #17
M3coupe
Private
5
Rep
59
Posts

Drives: 335is
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: GA

iTrader: (2)

Can we ask again for those in Atlanta. How much was the service? Or post you do not want to say. Also, if one can determine they need cleaning and the car is still under warranty is that procedure covered?
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 10:02 AM   #18
carlsontheflyer
Private First Class
carlsontheflyer's Avatar
United_States
66
Rep
170
Posts

Drives: 2019 M2C, AW, 6MT of course!
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by danielg69 View Post
Looks so nice afterwards. How much was it?
6 hours of labor + a new gasket = $584

Quote:
Originally Posted by Revlis View Post
Holy hell...

Would you mind describing your driving habits a bit? Commute length, driving style?

Just curious about about something, not EVEN going to start the "You Should be doing X or Y" BS.
For the first 24k miles or so I did take mostly very short trips. I lived 2 miles from work and the oil temp gauge wouldn't even break 160 on colder days. And the car did use some oil, although very little, about 1/2 quart every 5k miles. Last September, however, we bought a new house about 16 miles from my work (but a MUCH shorter commute for my wife, so it's a win-win all around). The car now warms up properly, I have a chance to row through gears and give the engine a nice morning workout, and since then I haven't added a drop of oil between 5k mile oil changes. So I am thinking that most of this buildup happened in the first 24k miles.

Most of the time I drive in a spirited, although safe manner, not racing. Shift at around 4k - 4.5k RPM, but only after the oil temp gauge hits 200 degrees. Until the engine is warmed up, I am gentle on the throttle and shift between 2.5k and 3k RPM.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bluesun View Post
How much did it run you? Anyone know of a shop in the Cleveland area that will do it? My car has a pretty rough idle and uneven acceleration.
6 hours of labor + a new gasket = $584

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wedge1967 View Post
75k and never cleaned them. Car runs great, but I've been spraying a LOT of meth... CWARREN just got a nozzle for blasting so hopefully I'll have it done sometime in the near future once he gets setup. Should be interesting to see how bad they are.
The tech did tell me that using meth/water mix injection will slow down the carbon buildup, but will not eliminate it completely. At some point you WILL need to do this.

Quote:
Originally Posted by luv135i View Post
Im in ga and would like to know this as well.
Harrison Motorsports in Alpharetta
Phone: 678-879-1200

6 hours of labor + a new gasket = $584

Quote:
Originally Posted by M3coupe View Post
Can we ask again for those in Atlanta. How much was the service? Or post you do not want to say. Also, if one can determine they need cleaning and the car is still under warranty is that procedure covered?
Harrison Motorsports in Alpharetta
Phone: 678-879-1200

6 hours of labor + a new gasket = $584. All dealers qouted $800 for the job. It is not covered by the warranty, unless it triggers the CEL and trouble codes and the service department determines that it is the cause of the malfunction. You will probably run out of the factory warranty before this issue is bad enough to cause codes. You can tell them that you *feel* the symptoms, but unless they can document it, they won't pay for it.
__________________
Carlson The Flyer
2022 X3M Competition, Brooklyn Gray, fully loaded
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 10:10 AM   #19
carlsontheflyer
Private First Class
carlsontheflyer's Avatar
United_States
66
Rep
170
Posts

Drives: 2019 M2C, AW, 6MT of course!
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA

iTrader: (1)

I also want to add that the tech reset the adaptations after this service. He said that the computer adapts to changes in the engine, so as the intake becomes more restricted from the buildup, the computer reduces the amount of fuel it adds to the mixture. By resetting the adaptations, he basically wiped the slate clean, and the computer can adjust to easier breathing and start adding the correct amount of fuel. So proper power will return as the computer learns everything anew.
__________________
Carlson The Flyer
2022 X3M Competition, Brooklyn Gray, fully loaded
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 11:12 AM   #20
AZBimmer
Private
11
Rep
97
Posts

Drives: 2009 FBO E90 N54 Cobb E30
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ

iTrader: (0)

Anyone know where to get this done in the Phoenix area? Thanks.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 11:28 AM   #21
Sigma 3
First Lieutenant
20
Rep
340
Posts

Drives: A few things
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Tri cities

iTrader: (1)

^ I did before and after dyno pulls. You will notice gain some power back, especially before 3500 rpm. At 3000 rpm I saw a difference of 40 whp.
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2013, 12:11 PM   #22
Jeff@TopGearSolutions
Jeff@TopGearSolutions's Avatar
United_States
3441
Rep
79,212
Posts

Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com

iTrader: (37)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wedge1967 View Post
75k and never cleaned them. Car runs great, but I've been spraying a LOT of meth... CWARREN just got a nozzle for blasting so hopefully I'll have it done sometime in the near future once he gets setup. Should be interesting to see how bad they are.
You should look into it. Even with methanol that only eliminates a small fraction. (very small).
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:22 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST