Anyone ever clean their stock FMIC?

B_davis · 08-19-2011, 10:53 AM

As bad as my valves were and my charge pipe gets, I'd imagine my stock FMIC is caked in oil as well. My intake temps off of meth hit 160 at the top of 3rd gear.(70 degrees amb) I can only get to about +15 Degrees above ambient when spraying meth. This tells me that my FMIC is junk.

Has anyone tried cleaning the FMIC? and to those that have gone to aftermarket, what did the stock FMIC look like?

///M3THOD · 08-19-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B_davis

As bad as my valves were and my charge pipe gets, I'd imagine my stock FMIC is caked in oil as well. My intake temps off of meth hit 160 at the top of 3rd gear.(70 degrees amb) I can only get to about +15 Degrees above ambient when spraying meth. This tells me that my FMIC is junk.

Has anyone tried cleaning the FMIC? and to those that have gone to aftermarket, what did the stock FMIC look like?

My stock IC was surprisingly clean given the oil slick on the inside of my charge pipe.

I have always heard to clean out your IC you can use carb cleaner or even gas, being sure to let it dry out completely before remounting.

I'm sure some others will chime in.

vasillalov · 08-19-2011, 11:04 AM

Cleaning the IC is always a good idea. I would not use gasolene though as it leaves residue upon evaporation. I think denaturated alcohol will work better.

XJS · 08-19-2011, 11:05 AM

After little over 30k miles I changed my FMIC as I was getting tuned. There was no sign of any oil in the stock IC and plugs looked to be in excellent condition as well, but I changed them anyway.

///M3THOD · 08-19-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Cleaning the IC is always a good idea. I would not use gasolene though as it leaves residue upon evaporation. I think denaturated alcohol will work better.

Yeah thats a better idea

zsapphire7 · 08-19-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///M3THOD

Yeah thats a better idea

denatured alcohol is okay with al? I assume youll be filling the IC then shakign it up then draining it out right?

Joshboody · 08-19-2011, 01:24 PM

How about Acetone

Streetluger06 · 08-19-2011, 01:28 PM

When I changed my turbo's I let my intercooler sit so that anything inside would drip out. I ended up having a puddle with a few ounces of oil that was in my intercooler. The turbo's had bad bearings and I don't think it was from them failing.

NiVeDh · 08-19-2011, 02:47 PM

I bought my AMS FMIC used and it had a ton of oil in it. I used gasoline to clean it out and let it dry for a few days.

scottp999 · 08-19-2011, 08:46 PM

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250717

samchoi604 · 08-19-2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

I bought my AMS FMIC used and it had a ton of oil in it. I used gasoline to clean it out and let it dry for a few days.

Did the stock intercooler that you were replacing lots of have oil inside?

I'm a turbo noob, so excuse my ignorance. I looked over the 335i intercooler DIY and there seems to be cutting/dremeling involved with removing IC.. how often should we look to clean the IC?

cvc 22349a · 08-20-2011, 01:56 AM

I replaced my FMIC at approx 25k miles, and it had about 3-4 tablespoons of oil in it.
At 40k miles, I had my ETS FMIC removed and drained standing on end overnight, and it only had about 1-2 teaspoons of oil in it.
So, I'll be draining the oil every 25-30k miles.

samchoi604 · 08-20-2011, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvc 22349a

I replaced my FMIC at approx 25k miles, and it had about 3-4 tablespoons of oil in it.
At 40k miles, I had my ETS FMIC removed and drained standing on end overnight, and it only had about 1-2 teaspoons of oil in it.
So, I'll be draining the oil every 25-30k miles.

Sweet, thanks for the info. I'm at 47k miles I should probably clean the thing.

Can someone post a quick DIY on how to efficiently remove the stock IC for cleaning, and how to put it back in?

B_davis · 08-20-2011, 08:16 AM

I am too lazy to clean, just ordered the ETS 5"

M3 Eater · 08-20-2011, 01:24 PM

I cleaned my fmic (stock) before I sold it. 50k it's was cleaner than you might think. Alcohol works great! Ets Is a great fmic! Fits like a stocker!

NiVeDh · 08-20-2011, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samchoi604

Did the stock intercooler that you were replacing lots of have oil inside?

I'm a turbo noob, so excuse my ignorance. I looked over the 335i intercooler DIY and there seems to be cutting/dremeling involved with removing IC.. how often should we look to clean the IC?

No, it didn't have that much oil in it. I didn't even bother cleaning it.

samchoi604 · 08-21-2011, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

No, it didn't have that much oil in it. I didn't even bother cleaning it.

I see, thanks.

Here's a wild guess: upgraded intercoolers would probably cause more oil buildup since it provides cooler air, and thus higher likelihood of the blow-by oil vapor to condensate into liquid form.

08-19-2011, 10:53 AM	#1
B_davis Private First Class 124 Rep 187 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	Anyone ever clean their stock FMIC? As bad as my valves were and my charge pipe gets, I'd imagine my stock FMIC is caked in oil as well. My intake temps off of meth hit 160 at the top of 3rd gear.(70 degrees amb) I can only get to about +15 Degrees above ambient when spraying meth. This tells me that my FMIC is junk. Has anyone tried cleaning the FMIC? and to those that have gone to aftermarket, what did the stock FMIC look like?
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08-19-2011, 11:04 AM	#3
vasillalov Mad Linux Guru On The Loose 1121 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Sedan, 2023 M3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (5) Garage List 2023 BMW M3 [0.00] 2008 335i E90 [8.00]	Cleaning the IC is always a good idea. I would not use gasolene though as it leaves residue upon evaporation. I think denaturated alcohol will work better. __________________ 6MT \| COBB \| AR \| AE \| Forge DV \| HPF \| P3 Gauge \| Hybrid Intake \| O.S.Giken TCD \| All M3 bits \| TCKLine \| StopTech \| UUC \| ER \| SPEC
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08-19-2011, 11:05 AM	#4
XJS Private First Class 7 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 335iM Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	After little over 30k miles I changed my FMIC as I was getting tuned. There was no sign of any oil in the stock IC and plugs looked to be in excellent condition as well, but I changed them anyway.
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08-19-2011, 01:24 PM	#7
Joshboody Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,708 Posts Drives: pickemuptruck Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (7)	How about Acetone
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08-19-2011, 01:28 PM	#8
Streetluger06 Private First Class 11 Rep 160 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	When I changed my turbo's I let my intercooler sit so that anything inside would drip out. I ended up having a puddle with a few ounces of oil that was in my intercooler. The turbo's had bad bearings and I don't think it was from them failing.
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08-19-2011, 02:47 PM	#9
NiVeDh Major General 422 Rep 8,004 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	I bought my AMS FMIC used and it had a ton of oil in it. I used gasoline to clean it out and let it dry for a few days.
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08-19-2011, 08:46 PM	#10
scottp999 Brigadier General 133 Rep 4,764 Posts Drives: 4runner SR5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (2) Garage List 2007 BMW 335 [9.00]	http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250717
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08-20-2011, 01:56 AM	#12
cvc 22349a Colonel 164 Rep 2,556 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (11)	I replaced my FMIC at approx 25k miles, and it had about 3-4 tablespoons of oil in it. At 40k miles, I had my ETS FMIC removed and drained standing on end overnight, and it only had about 1-2 teaspoons of oil in it. So, I'll be draining the oil every 25-30k miles. __________________ 2007 E90 335i, TiAg, 6AT, ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, 6FL, HD Quaife lsd, ETS fmic, GIAC s/w, Dinan intake/exhaust/oc, Koni/M3 susp, Apex Arc 8, Mich PSS
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08-20-2011, 08:16 AM	#14
B_davis Private First Class 124 Rep 187 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	I am too lazy to clean, just ordered the ETS 5"
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08-20-2011, 01:24 PM	#15
M3 Eater Major 36 Rep 1,054 Posts Drives: 335i Sedan Join Date: May 2010 Location: Unknown iTrader: (3) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Good solution. I cleaned my fmic (stock) before I sold it. 50k it's was cleaner than you might think. Alcohol works great! Ets Is a great fmic! Fits like a stocker! __________________ JB4 beta 15 ohms FSB,AEM inline filter/ CM 10, ETS fmic, ER custom made charge pipe,TSW Donnington 18's,Simitumo HTRZ3, Injen DCI, AR DPs, Forge DVs, AA SLD, Koni FSD, ZSP springs.
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