[Ghost_G80]

Ok so I've been coming across several topics about this and it's been bothering me whether if its something I'm gonna just have to get done or if its optional? I know how our DI engines can get carbon build up, but is it gonna get to a point where I'm going to get codes down the road that are unavoidable? How many people have gotten this done?

[135Pats]

If you have over 50K do it.

[idspeedskater]

Do it, you will feel the difference afterward. Did it at 60 and could feel the hesitation but hadn't gotten bad enough to throw codes. Did it again at 98k more as prep for additional power.

[Kommodore]

Noticeable buildup every 10K, severe buildup by 30K. Just get it done and consider buying a compressor and blaster to DIY it every 10-20K. It's really easy. Personally, I noticed a significant difference. Enough to stay on top of it.

[ErvGotti]

I just had this done friday. I was having hesitation when going WOT in 3rd gear and up. It felt like there was turbo lag which didn't start till the last 5000 miles (I'm at 36K and have had new injectors, coils, and plugs in the last 5K). I was also having the small idle issues where it felt like a small misfire and the idle would bounce around 700-500 RPM.

It solved all my issues and throttle/engine response was a hundred times better. It's was funny to me how most people (including myself) don't realize how much you lose in responsiveness due to carbon build up as it's a slow insidious process. I plan on doing mine every 20k miles.

[SouthfloridaE92]

Had my done last week by forum member MGM in south Florida, great guy with great work and a very reasonable price! I have 60k and made a very noticeable difference!

[Ghost_G80]

Thanks for the fast responses guys. Sadly, I work at least 45 hours a week so I'm probably going to have a shop do the work. What prices am I looking at to get this done? (Ballpark) My car just got over there 50k mark literally.

[SouthfloridaE92]

Originally Posted by Bimmerman88

Thanks for the fast responses guys. Sadly, I work at least 45 hours a week so I'm probably going to have a shop do the work. What prices am I looking at to get this done? (Ballpark) My car just got over there 50k mark literally.

Ridiculous prices, I suggest for you to contact a member that has done it before to do it lol. BMW charges over 900 I know that. You can have someone do it for 300-400.

[carlsontheflyer]

I had it done at 36k miles. They were filthy. Probably shoud've done this at 25k mies. Take a look at the pictures in my thread on this subject. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=852945

I didn't have any misfires, and no codes, but I feel a very big difference since the cleaning.

I had it done at an indie. Cost me $584 including the intake gasket.

[gtaccord]

Just do it...

[ErvGotti]

Originally Posted by Bimmerman88

Thanks for the fast responses guys. Sadly, I work at least 45 hours a week so I'm probably going to have a shop do the work. What prices am I looking at to get this done? (Ballpark) My car just got over there 50k mark literally.

Call around I've seen Indie prices range from around $400-$600 should cost no more than 6 from an Indie. From dealerships the cheapest I got quoted was $600 but with tax and shop fees closer to $700 I've also have been quoted as high as $1600 from a dealership.

[Kayani_1]

I just had done 3 months ago. It was time as their was plenty of gunk. If I think if you should get it done every 45K miles at least.

[Mangler]

If anyone is still under warranty and can get it to shudder when accelerating they will do it under warranty. Even if you have CPO.

T

[Imthatguy]

Just bought my 335i a few months ago, it has 73k miles and has probably never had this done before. Is there anyone around the New Orleans area that has done the intake cleaning or knows of a shop that does?

[carlsontheflyer]

Originally Posted by ErvGotti

Call around I've seen Indie prices range from around $400-$600 should cost no more than 6 from an Indie. From dealerships the cheapest I got quoted was $600 but with tax and shop fees closer to $700 I've also have been quoted as high as $1600 from a dealership.

$600 quote from a dealer is pretty good. All dealers here in the Atlanta area were quoting $800. The $1600 quote you got probably includes a new intake manifold. One of the local dealers here quoted me that price and told me that this service always includes a new manifold. What a crock!

Originally Posted by Mangler

If anyone is still under warranty and can get it to shudder when accelerating they will do it under warranty. Even if you have CPO.

T

Dealers won't do it under warranty, even if it shudders, unless your car throws a code and they tie it to the fouled up valves. At least that's the way Atlanta area dealers are doing it.

[jmftexas]

I just had it done.......feels good man.

Dealer price was 694 but they give 20% off to CCA members so not too bad at 555.20.

[deltalima0]

Worth doing I had a shudder in higher gears during acceleration and or between 3k-4k the cleaning did the trick.

My valves were caked badly too, 84k when I cleaned mine. A good price would be 300-350. I think anything over 500 would be a raping.

[thyshallsmite]

Had mine done this weekend, showed me before and after pictures and holy crap was it bad, engine was dealing with it like a champ, but the amount of gunk built up was insane. He said it would take a few days for the engine to remap itself, but yeah it definitely needs to be done, need to get a catch can too. oh and it cost me 400$

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Just an FYI fuel quality and OCC will not fix gunky valve build up. The OCC will slow it down marginally.

This is because it is a direct injection engine which means the injectors are in the combustion chamber (not passing fuel over the intake valves) like a traditional port fuel injection car.

The build up is inevitable. It can happens as early as 10K miles. The time you want to wait is up to you.

I would suggest by 30,000 might be a good idea for most people. That is just my recommendation. You could do it sooner with a noticeable difference.

Dealers will rarely warranty this unless a check engine code persist in which they cannot clear it without the cleaning of valves. It is possible but rare.

[rolando316]

Another vote for yes, def do it.

My idle was rocky and hesitation when cruising. Blasting cleared it all up. Plus I believe there was a thread where someone did this and it added almost 10+ whp. Don't quote me on it though.

[gtaccord]

I think the interval really depends on how much/often the car is driven. I bought my car in March 2012 with 41k miles (average of 7k miles/year. It had a noticeable stumble when lugging the car in 5th and 6th gears. I did a DIY valve cleaning at about 45k and they were really bad. After the cleaning the car was very smooth and the stumble disappeared.

It is now about 12 months since my valve cleaning. I have put 30k miles on the car and have no noticed any symptons or decreased performance. All of my driving is interstate (100 miles/day) so my engine gets to and stays at operating temperature for long periods of time everyday. I am not saying that I don't have build up (I know I do) but I theorize that driving the car as much as I do retards the build up.

I will probably get the cleaning done again at about 90k miles unless I have a problem before then.

[Cbozz]

I did it at 50K, car went from running rough to running like new!