[bigdaddycane]

eludo,

It has to do with the N54 being Direct Injection. DI cars build up carbon much quicker than non-DI cars. Your E46 330 was not a direct injection motor.

[Blade]

Any updates Clem? Thanks

[Clem]

Originally Posted by Blade

Any updates Clem? Thanks

Next couple weeks are tough as we are involved in a few major projects. We will get back on track after that!

[Luther@Fleming Automotive]

Hello i have a shop in Hyattsville, MD. i just completed walnut blasting my intake valves yesterday. It is a must for our cars with over 50k miles. If your interested in having this done please pm me and we can work out the details. Very reasonable cost and a fast turnaround. Thanks

Luther

[Laid Black 335i]

I just cleaned my valves yesterday. I took my time with it just to make sure I did everything right and correctly. Upon removing the intake manifold, I discovered my intake valves to be pretty bad after 61,000 miles. Here is a Before / After shot.







There was nothing wrong with my car before, so I don't notice much of a difference. But it's good to know that my intake valves are clean. I took additional pics throughout the process (see link below):

http://razzi.me/a/13451

[bigdaddycane]

nice work Laidback.....

where'd you get the walnut blaster?

[davidkotok]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

eludo,

It has to do with the N54 being Direct Injection. DI cars build up carbon much quicker than non-DI cars. Your E46 330 was not a direct injection motor.

so replacing the injectors wouldnt even solve the problem is what you're saying? im surprised that cars with such (relatively) low miles are having these issues, or rather that the carbon cleaning is actually solving issues like rough idle and lessening of mpg... BMW should include in warrantly lol

[bigdaddycane]

Originally Posted by davidkotok

so replacing the injectors wouldnt even solve the problem is what you're saying? im surprised that cars with such (relatively) low miles are having these issues, or rather that the carbon cleaning is actually solving issues like rough idle and lessening of mpg... BMW should include in warrantly lol

no, the injectors don't have much bearing on the carbon build up.

In some cases dealers ARE warranting the valve cleanings but only when there are serious issues; misfires, stumbling idles, etc.

[cotmfk]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

nice work Laidback.....

where'd you get the walnut blaster?

+1! Good job!

[Laid Black 335i]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

nice work Laidback.....

where'd you get the walnut blaster?

Thanks, I got the cheap portable blaster from Harbor Freight (only $35 bucks but it works!).

http://www.harborfreight.com/portabl...kit-37025.html

[pseto]

Originally Posted by Laid Black 335i

Thanks, I got the cheap portable blaster from Harbor Freight (only $35 bucks but it works!).

http://www.harborfreight.com/portabl...kit-37025.html

how long did it take? was it difficult?

[Laid Black 335i]

Originally Posted by pseto

how long did it take? was it difficult?

I reserved most of Saturday to get this done since it was my first time doing it. I think now that I have done it before, I can do it a lot faster next time. The time consuming part was removing all the plastic engine bay pieces, throttle body, intake manifold, etc... and when you're finished, putting everything back on in reverse order. The cleaning itself wasn't too bad.

[bigdaddycane]

that's a great price! did it come with shells?

you could do one or two cars a month and make some nice coin....

N54 lined up for this

[Laid Black 335i]

Originally Posted by bigdaddycane

that's a great price! did it come with shells?

you could do one or two cars a month and make some nice coin....

N54 lined up for this

Nope, gotta get the Walnut Shells separately.

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-...dia-92150.html

[gc626]

Originally Posted by fleming77

Hello i have a shop in Hyattsville, MD. i just completed walnut blasting my intake valves yesterday. It is a must for our cars with over 50k miles. If your interested in having this done please pm me and we can work out the details. Very reasonable cost and a fast turnaround. Thanks

Luther

Hi Luther -- I'm interested. Unfortunately, I can't send a PM. But if you could provide more info, I'd greatly appreciate it!

[Ripsin]

Hey all, new to the forum but have been a reader for a long time gaining lots of good advice from those who really know their stuff.

I have a 08' 335i currently at the stealership in hopes of curing an issue I had with performance. I've been told it needs a carbon cleaning and replacement of the intake manifold = $1345... Ouch. I have just over 50K and it just expired warranty.

The engine light and loss of power on the way to work concerned me, that's why the stealership has it. However, I have a pretty honest foreign car shop who will likely do it for less.

Here's my question... I had injectors 1 and 6 replaced during the recall for HPFI, they say cylinders 5 and 6 are dirty. Is it common for a car with this little mileage to need a carbon cleaning this early and for this cost??? My second 3 series and first time I've heard of this.

Much thanks you guys.

[bigdaddycane]

first off, did they explain why the intake manifold needs to be replaced? That needs to be cleared up. If you're just over 50K they should take care of you for warranty items....a good dealership should.

the engine light is probably not related to the carbon buildup, unless it's unusually severe.

at 50K these cars definitely need carbon cleaning....it's should be a maitenance (for owners) item.

[PSI Power]

Any plans for another group Walnut Blasting? I need to get my car done. I'm at 75k miles.

[dinkoh]

+1 I need in for one. Clem, can you help?

[Clem]

Sorry guys, not intentionally ignoring request (I've had several) but we're struggling with schedules over here right now. My blasting crew has been tied up and it will still be a few weeks before we can nail down another session. As soon as I have a clear Saturday or Sunday I'll post it up. We should be able to handle 3 in a day.

[dinkoh]

Cool, Put me down.

[muzzammil15]

Originally Posted by Ripsin

Hey all, new to the forum but have been a reader for a long time gaining lots of good advice from those who really know their stuff.

I have a 08' 335i currently at the stealership in hopes of curing an issue I had with performance. I've been told it needs a carbon cleaning and replacement of the intake manifold = $1345... Ouch. I have just over 50K and it just expired warranty.

The engine light and loss of power on the way to work concerned me, that's why the stealership has it. However, I have a pretty honest foreign car shop who will likely do it for less.

Here's my question... I had injectors 1 and 6 replaced during the recall for HPFI, they say cylinders 5 and 6 are dirty. Is it common for a car with this little mileage to need a carbon cleaning this early and for this cost??? My second 3 series and first time I've heard of this.

Much thanks you guys.

Only way you would need to replace the intake manifold would be, if its damaged in anyway. If it is not damaged than there is no reason to replace the intake-manifold at all.

Carbon built up can happen at any-point on these cars from what I have seen. I have wal-nut cleaning done on my car and I only had 24,400 miles on it. The carbon was pretty caked up on my valves. The shop foreman at my dealer, told me the carbon will build up over time, but it also depends on how you drive the car. People who do a lot of city driving, stop and go traffic will build up carbon quicker than those who do a lot of highway driving.

It seems like mileage does not really matter.