Intake Valve Cleaning techniques

7smurfs · 06-04-2015, 10:18 PM

So I am at bmtech atm doing some diagnostic shit to my car and I asked about cleaning the intake valves and they said they charge $175 for it.

This seems quite cheap at first so I asked how they do it and they said they use some sort of liquid to dissolve the gunk out of the valves.

so Liquid intake cleaning = $175
Walnut blasting = $500

Does anyone know if there is any significant difference in the two methods? Aka worth it?
Couldn't find anything on Google

naynay · 06-04-2015, 10:28 PM

i think with liquid, sometimes it doesnt desolve all of the gunk. diy jeff?

7smurfs · 06-04-2015, 10:48 PM

Ah we could spend a day and hand clean it.

You need yours done too Nate?

naynay · 06-04-2015, 11:07 PM

halvies on the machine haha

totti84 · 06-04-2015, 11:25 PM

I did mine by hand.

Buy a rifle cleaning brush kit, manifold and TB gaskets, few cans of brake cleaner, few hours of elbow grease = done for less than $100

naynay · 06-05-2015, 12:34 AM

did you have to rotate the crank totti?

Scotty89 · 06-05-2015, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naynay

did you have to rotate the crank totti?

I think you will have to, or otherwise bump the starter.

If you don't at least one of the valves will be open and you'll simply be washing the crap straight into the cylinder.

Socket · 06-05-2015, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty89

washing the crap straight into the cylinder.

This sounds fun

Scotty89 · 06-05-2015, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socket

This sounds fun

Not fun when the motor hydrolocks

Socket · 06-05-2015, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotty89

Not fun when the motor hydrolocks

Got that right mate

Coupes33 · 06-05-2015, 04:18 AM

I did my intake ports myself. It took a day to do it and cost less than $100 as Totti said. I also used a couple of rifle barrel brushes, wire with flattened ends, a syringe from SuperCheap, tooth brushes and a vacuum cleaner. I used Repco Carby Cleaner to dissolve the carbon build up on the valves and ports. I bought a few cans but only needed one. I removed the fan from the radiator and used a ratchet and socket on the bolt holding the harmonic balancer on the crank to turn the engine over. The process was:
-Turn the crank until both valves were closed.
-Fill the port with Carby Cleaner and leave for 20mins.
-Use the rifle barrel brushes, tooth brushes and wire to clean port and valves.
-Suck up the fluid and carbon with the syringe and use vacuum cleaner for final clean up around the valves. I attached a piece of 1/4" hose ID into the vacuum cleaner hose to get into the port area.
-Repeat process until satisfied with results.
-Turn engine to set up next port.

Ports before cleaning
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Ports after cleaning
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Socket · 06-05-2015, 04:38 AM

Nice works Coupes.. wish I had the steelies to do this

Scotty89 · 06-06-2015, 09:26 PM

Thanks Coupes! I knew there were other ways than the walnut blasting.

I'm going to give this a shot, thanks for being the guinea pig!

lemonpark · 06-07-2015, 12:56 AM

we all need to do this one day. group DIY meet? lol

kOncept · 06-07-2015, 01:56 AM

I saved some money on labour by having my valve cover gasket replaced at the same time since they had to take everything apart anyway

06-04-2015, 10:18 PM	#1
7smurfs Captain 139 Rep 902 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Intake Valve Cleaning techniques So I am at bmtech atm doing some diagnostic shit to my car and I asked about cleaning the intake valves and they said they charge $175 for it. This seems quite cheap at first so I asked how they do it and they said they use some sort of liquid to dissolve the gunk out of the valves. so Liquid intake cleaning = $175 Walnut blasting = $500 Does anyone know if there is any significant difference in the two methods? Aka worth it? Couldn't find anything on Google
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06-04-2015, 10:28 PM	#2
naynay Banned 180 Rep 1,426 Posts Drives: 2006 E92 335i FBO Join Date: May 2013 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	i think with liquid, sometimes it doesnt desolve all of the gunk. diy jeff?
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06-04-2015, 10:48 PM	#3
7smurfs Captain 139 Rep 902 Posts Drives: M3 CS Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	Ah we could spend a day and hand clean it. You need yours done too Nate?
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06-04-2015, 11:07 PM	#4
naynay Banned 180 Rep 1,426 Posts Drives: 2006 E92 335i FBO Join Date: May 2013 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	halvies on the machine haha
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06-04-2015, 11:25 PM	#5
totti84 Major 114 Rep 1,140 Posts Drives: N54 135i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i M Sport [0.00]	I did mine by hand. Buy a rifle cleaning brush kit, manifold and TB gaskets, few cans of brake cleaner, few hours of elbow grease = done for less than $100
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06-05-2015, 12:34 AM	#6
naynay Banned 180 Rep 1,426 Posts Drives: 2006 E92 335i FBO Join Date: May 2013 Location: Melbourne Australia iTrader: (0)	did you have to rotate the crank totti?
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06-05-2015, 04:18 AM	#11
Coupes33 Major 378 Rep 1,397 Posts Drives: 2006 335i, 2017 Audi S3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Brisbane, QLD, Australia iTrader: (0)	I did my intake ports myself. It took a day to do it and cost less than $100 as Totti said. I also used a couple of rifle barrel brushes, wire with flattened ends, a syringe from SuperCheap, tooth brushes and a vacuum cleaner. I used Repco Carby Cleaner to dissolve the carbon build up on the valves and ports. I bought a few cans but only needed one. I removed the fan from the radiator and used a ratchet and socket on the bolt holding the harmonic balancer on the crank to turn the engine over. The process was: -Turn the crank until both valves were closed. -Fill the port with Carby Cleaner and leave for 20mins. -Use the rifle barrel brushes, tooth brushes and wire to clean port and valves. -Suck up the fluid and carbon with the syringe and use vacuum cleaner for final clean up around the valves. I attached a piece of 1/4" hose ID into the vacuum cleaner hose to get into the port area. -Repeat process until satisfied with results. -Turn engine to set up next port. Ports before cleaning Ports after cleaning
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06-05-2015, 04:38 AM	#12
Socket Lieutenant General 4634 Rep 11,945 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW E92 [0.00]	Nice works Coupes.. wish I had the steelies to do this Last edited by Socket; 06-06-2015 at 09:40 PM..
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06-06-2015, 09:26 PM	#13
Scotty89 Buy a 335 they said... It'll be fun they said... 117 Rep 995 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [10.00]	Thanks Coupes! I knew there were other ways than the walnut blasting. I'm going to give this a shot, thanks for being the guinea pig!
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06-07-2015, 12:56 AM	#14
lemonpark Captain 59 Rep 610 Posts Drives: '08 335i E92 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Melbourne iTrader: (0)	we all need to do this one day. group DIY meet? lol __________________ JB4 G5 ISO \| BMS Backend Flash \| Alpina B3 TCU Flash \| AR Design Catless DP \| BMS DCI \| ER CP \| Turbosmart Race Port BOV \| Muffler Delete \| H&R Sport Springs \| BMS Cowl \| BMW Performance Alcantara Wheel \| M3 DCT Paddles \| Muse Concept and Design Interior \| 19" GTC-CX \| M3 Lip Spoiler \| Zieg CF Rear Diffuser \| Flow Designs Front Lip \| Black Grill \| RGB LED Angel Eyes \| 8000K HID \|
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06-07-2015, 01:56 AM	#15
kOncept First Lieutenant 36 Rep 303 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: AUS iTrader: (0)	I saved some money on labour by having my valve cover gasket replaced at the same time since they had to take everything apart anyway
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