by "Once_upon_a_pvt" (eagleruwe07)
Published 04/28/2017 at 08:48
by "Once_upon_a_pvt" (eagleruwe07)
Published 04/28/2017 at 08:48
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STARS: 1
My valves were gross. You have been warned. Graphic and gross pictures ahead.
Seriously, Ew.
After 5 hours of scraping and vacuuming and back hurting I didn’t get all 6 in pictures. The horror.
"404 - User No Longer Available" (toni-cipriani)
04/28/2017 at 08:52, STARS: 2
Looks like it needs a walnut blast.
"TrustMeImAnEngineer, but I'd rather be an InternationalArtThief" (trusttheengineer)
04/28/2017 at 08:54, STARS: 0
What kind of solvent did you use? Or were you just scraping? This is going to be something on my list this summer for the 3.2...
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/28/2017 at 08:55, STARS: 1
Stupid BMW PCV system. Oil blow-by is such a problem on direct-injected cars but you have to be a car person to even know that the issue exists. This is why when I found myself needing to install a new BMW remanufactured longblock, I also bought an oil catch can. Before that happened, I had called my local BMW dealer to ask about walnut blasting and they were like, “uhh that’s not a procedure we’re familiar with quoting an estimate for, I’ll have to check,” and then they came back to me with something ridiculous like $1800.
Moot point now since I have a fresh (as of last summer) motor with the catch can on it. I’m going to change my oil soon so I’ll get to open up the can and see how much blow-by it caught. Knowing my luck it’ll be empty because my PCV works fine. Maybe.
"LightweightSasquatch" (lightweightsasquatch)
04/28/2017 at 09:41, STARS: 0
2nd the walnut blasting!
If you have the tools and mechanical know how it can be done! Just did my mini a few months back if you have any questions
"Once_upon_a_pvt" (eagleruwe07)
04/28/2017 at 09:51, STARS: 0
I just cleaned em off and did the RB upgraded PCV. Ill check again after like 10k miles or so and see if it stays clean. But yea the PCV system is trash
"Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney" (braddelaparker)
04/28/2017 at 09:55, STARS: 0
I’d be lying if the thought of needing to address this on my 135 wasn’t a contributing factor to me selling it and moving on. I loved that engine, but the blow-by issue is just one of a few really dumb little issues that always seemed to be hovering over my head.
"Once_upon_a_pvt" (eagleruwe07)
04/28/2017 at 09:58, STARS: 0
I ended up doing it the hard way, I need to save my parts budget at this point. Didn’t get them spotless but got all the caked on junk out of there. Especially at the top around the stem.
"Once_upon_a_pvt" (eagleruwe07)
04/28/2017 at 10:04, STARS: 0
Autozone had an special intake valve cleaner, which is twice as much as regular carb cleaner (weird). I just went with the carb cleaner and used my shop vac with the pointy attachement to dry it all. I wet it down, sit, then sucked it out. used a pick set from lowes to scrape, then wet it again. Repeat until clean/back locks up. Rest, stretch, next valve.
It took me like 5 hours maybe? but I have to work slow and stretch my back a lot.
"DasWauto" (DasWauto)
04/28/2017 at 10:14, STARS: 0
Oil blow-by is not a problem related to direct injection. Direct injection just results in carbon deposits not being prevented by the gasoline hitting the intake ports and back of the valves as they would with port injection.
"Once_upon_a_pvt" (eagleruwe07)
04/28/2017 at 10:15, STARS: 2
Yea, I am hoping the upgraded PCV and maybe a catch can just to be sure will help. It’s kinda dumb they didn’t figure out this would be an issue. But honestly 5 hours of work every 30-40k miles is ok with me. I only do like 10k a year anyway
"Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney" (braddelaparker)
04/28/2017 at 10:17, STARS: 0
Yeah I think staying on top of it is important and will make it a non-issue over time, you’re a smarter man than I.
"Eric @ opposite-lock.com" (theyrerolling)
04/28/2017 at 10:18, STARS: 0
I am curious to see what, if any, difference a catch can makes for the valves, considering naturally-aspirated DI engines are notorious for doing this as well.
"404 - User No Longer Available" (toni-cipriani)
04/28/2017 at 10:24, STARS: 0
I was told this was more of an inherent design issue with Turbo DI engines rather than just BMW, and even more so if it’s all short trips + stop/go.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/28/2017 at 11:10, STARS: 1
Well yeah, that’s what I was getting at. Blow-by with port injection is less of a problem because the fuel mix keeps the intake side of the motor cleaner.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/28/2017 at 11:11, STARS: 0
It’s basically because in port injected motors, the fuel is sprayed into the intake ports and the detergents in the fuel (plus gasoline itself is a pretty good solvent) keep the intake ports and valves clean.
"404 - User No Longer Available" (toni-cipriani)
04/28/2017 at 11:34, STARS: 0
Yup, that’s the explanation I heard. I can’t imagine walnut blasting is the only solution though, there has to be an easier way.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/28/2017 at 11:42, STARS: 0
Walnut blasting is the best solution. There are also assorted solvents out there that can somewhat do the job. But walnut blast is the best.
"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
04/28/2017 at 14:54, STARS: 0
Catch can will not stop the carbon build up completely.
a certain amoutn of the oil is just from the valve seals, even when they’re in tip top shape a little oil gets thorough (it has to or everything would wear)
One of the biggest recommendations is to run a low SAPS, C3, grade oil.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/28/2017 at 15:18, STARS: 0
Well yeah, that’s true. And I run Shell Rotella T6 oil which is technically for diesels and has similar properties to what you’re talking about although not that exact spec.
"uofime-2" (uofime-2)
04/28/2017 at 15:32, STARS: 0
Brotella eh....
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
04/28/2017 at 15:34, STARS: 0
What, do flat brim hat Subaru bros also use it? I chose it off some test results that had been posted on the BMW forums.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
04/28/2017 at 16:44, STARS: 0
Audi v10 guy here, creeping up on 55k miles, and plugs are due, so I’ll be doing my carbon cleaning then as well. Can’t say I’m looking forward to it, but I’m excited to drive the car afterwards. Good old direct injection.
"LightweightSasquatch" (lightweightsasquatch)
04/28/2017 at 21:02, STARS: 0
You have more patients than I do! Then again it is probably a bit easier to get at the valves when they open to the side of the car and not against the firewall.
"Once_upon_a_pvt" (eagleruwe07)
04/29/2017 at 10:12, STARS: 0
It might be placebo but man it feels better :)
"Once_upon_a_pvt" (eagleruwe07)
04/29/2017 at 10:13, STARS: 0
Yea I would say mine is way easier