[bimmernupe]

The first six pics are of the spark plug ports from 1-6. The black stuff came off the plug threads. It looks to be the anti-seize. I vacuumed it out.
7. Spark plugs L-R 1-6.
8-9. Plug from cyl 1-2
10-11. Plugs from cyl 3-4
11-12. Plugs from cyl 5-6

The car has 110k. 2008 e92 335. Last changed at 70K.

[wren57]

Wow those plugs look bad. Do you park outside with the hood up or something? Can't imagine how that much crap would get on the plugs...

[stanlalee]

Looks like they've been in there forever.

[j1gilles]

Do you live in the Sahara Desert or something??? Besides what looks like to be sand it also appears like you have carbon above the threads. This can happen if the spark plugs are not tightened to spec and combustion gases are seeping past the threads. Make sure you use a torque wrench when putting your new plugs back in...anyone who tells you different does not know what they are talking about

[bimmernupe]

Coils.
1. L-R Cyl 1-6
2. Bottom cyl 1. Top cyl 2
3. Bottom cyl 3. Top cyl 4
4. Bottom cyl 5. Top cyl 6
5-6 Valve cover removed. Changing gasket

[bimmernupe]

Originally Posted by j1gilles

Do you live in the Sahara Desert or something??? Besides what looks like to be sand it also appears like you have carbon above the threads. This can happen if the spark plugs are not tightened to spec and combustion gases are seeping past the threads. Make sure you use a torque wrench when putting your new plugs back in...anyone who tells you different does not know what they are talking about

I live in Suburban DC. I plan on cleaning my valves in the next few days. I just received my BMW Walnut Blasteer

Originally Posted by stanlalee

Looks like they've been in there forever.

A little over 40k.

Originally Posted by wren57

Wow those plugs look bad. Do you park outside with the hood up or something? Can't imagine how that much crap would get on the plugs...

I have no idea. I have been

[rooringhusky]

Well I was going to assume your valve cover was leaking and thats the cause of the oil buildup as seen in the first pics (its not antiseize for sure). Now you confirmed it since you just posted pics of you changing the gasket. Looks like an issue with the VC gasket, did you find oil on the spark plugs or coil packs? If so then for sure its the VCG that made them look so bad.

[bimmernupe]

Well all of this started with the water pump going bad. Then since I had the coolant drained, I might as well replace the radiator.
Since the radiator is out, I might as well replace all of the hoses
Since the hoses are out and the coolant, then I should change the oil filter housing.
In order to get the third filter housing bolt I have to take off the manifold, I might as wells clean the valves. BMW Walnut Blaster just arrived.
Since all of the above is out, then I might as well do the valve cover.
Oh yeah I almost forgot my thrust rods are leaking, so I am doing those.
While I am down there, the engine mounts are due and since I am down there I might as well drop the subframe and change the oil pan gasket and transmission mounts.

...and here I stand.

[C.Pop]

Ballsy, aggressive maintenance attitude but nicely done. Respect.

[NightStalker]

Well atleast you are doing a whole refresh to the engine

[e92_enthusiast_1]

That is a helluva maintenance list. Props though.

Originally Posted by bimmernupe

Well all of this started with the water pump going bad. Then since I had the coolant drained, I might as well replace the radiator.
Since the radiator is out, I might as well replace all of the hoses
Since the hoses are out and the coolant, then I should change the oil filter housing.
In order to get the third filter housing bolt I have to take off the manifold, I might as wells clean the valves. BMW Walnut Blaster just arrived.
Since all of the above is out, then I might as well do the valve cover.
Oh yeah I almost forgot my thrust rods are leaking, so I am doing those.
While I am down there, the engine mounts are due and since I am down there I might as well drop the subframe and change the oil pan gasket and transmission mounts.

...and here I stand.

+1

Originally Posted by C.Pop

Ballsy, aggressive maintenance attitude but nicely done. Respect.

[bimmernupe]

Thanks. I don't want to have to pull out some of the same ish more than once. So far the water pump, t-stat, filter housing gaskets, hoses, accessory belt (forgot to mention that one. Easy as hell), cleaned the intercooler, charge pipes, diverter valves, and manifold of oil, entire valve cover replacement 1/2 done.
Installing the Burger OCC.

It seems the oil is on spark plug cyl 6, but cyl 1 has more gritty stuff and what looks like rust marks. Cyl 3 seems to be the most clean.

[nikitino25]

Where'd you get the BMW walnut blaster? I saw where you can rent the tool from Bavauto or buy it but it looks like you need to provide your own air compressor either way? Did your kit come with an air compressor?

[shaginwagon13]

Tagging along

[bimmernupe]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

Where'd you get the BMW walnut blaster? I saw where you can rent the tool from Bavauto or buy it but it looks like you need to provide your own air compressor either way? Did your kit come with an air compressor?

Ordered through my local dealer. I purchased the compressor at Sears. Ordering the Genuine BMW Blaster is not easy, because it was not meant to be sold to the public. A buddy of mine works at the dealer and even with that I had to jump through hoops. I called four other dealers in my area.
I only laid out the money because I do not plan on getting rid of my car. Plus I am sure a few people in my area will need the cleaning. My primary use will be my car. At $700 per pop every 30-40k miles, it will pay for itself in 2.5 cleanings(that includes the price of the compressor). Not to mention I can use on my next BMW in a year or two.

[007_e350]

Can you take pics when you do the oil pan gasket

[Jeef]

Originally Posted by bimmernupe

Ordered through my local dealer. I purchased the compressor at Sears. Ordering the Genuine BMW Blaster is not easy, because it was not meant to be sold to the public. A buddy of mine works at the dealer and even with that I had to jump through hoops. I called four other dealers in my area.
I only laid out the money because I do not plan on getting rid of my car. Plus I am sure a few people in my area will need the cleaning. My primary use will be my car. At $700 per pop every 30-40k miles, it will pay for itself in 2.5 cleanings(that includes the price of the compressor). Not to mention I can use on my next BMW in a year or two.

I assume you grabbed the last blaster in the nation then Back ordered till September if anyone wants them again through your local dealer.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Wow, I never seen plugs in that bad of shape. Not even on my boats! lol

[nikitino25]

Originally Posted by Jeef

I assume you grabbed the last blaster in the nation then Back ordered till September if anyone wants them again through your local dealer.

Here's a link to what i'm talking about, looks like it's only 229.95 (not including the air compressor). You can also rent the kit for only $100 not including deposit and walnut media ($40) which is what I'm thinking about doing.....just need to find or buy an air compressor I guess.

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

[nikitino25]

Edit, for some reason I can't link to the actual page with the product but if you go to above link and search for walnut blaster and then enter your year and model, it will take you to it......by the way, i'm not a vendor or anything and I have no idea of the quality, it does say it comes with a genuine BMW adapter though.....

[N8N]

you have a walnut blaster? I've got 90K and I don't think I've ever had it done... (bought at like 71K)

Edit: plugs look a little rough but at least they're not fouled (sign of injector going bad)

[Jeef]

I see what you are talking about now. That is not the genuine BMW walnut blaster. That is a normal abrasive media blaster you can buy at harbor freight. Bavauto includes the vacuum adapter needed to fit the valves for the cleaning.