[dsjr2006]

Found this on one of the 'other' sites. Interesting read.

http://www.german**********/showthread.php?51640-Just-how-much-does-direct-injection-carbon-buildup-hurt-B7-RS4-gains-42-wheel-horsepower-after-034Motorsport-carbon-cleaning&p=545872#post545872

Audi B7 RS4 gains 42 whp after cleaning.

I think it's time on my car, just need to find somewhere that isn't the dealer to do it in West Michigan...

[Fillyo75]

There are plenty of pics in this forum too. I have an 09 with 55k and am getting hesitation and sputtering under moderate acceleration between 2500 and 4000 RPMs, but no codes. I just got the Walnut blasting approved under my CPO and getting it done in the next two weeks, really happy BMW approved it. I just recently had my plugs replaced, a coil, and an injector bank. Hoping this cures my car's ills.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Link doesn't work (banned site) but no surprise on it making more power. I keep pushing guys to get it done by 35K but most people wait for problems before they do it. It's understandable to a certain extent but as a proper maintenance it's a little backwards. It's kind of like not changing your oil and just saying you will wait for it to burn off or the engine to seize. The dealers charge too much. I would find a reputable independent BMW shop that is proficient in it. You could save 100's that way.

[Killerfish2012]

I'm at 115K miles, 10/06 build date. I've never done this procedure, and the vehicle doesn't have any issues traceable to it. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do, or that I don't have build up, but it seems that even though the engines are DI, proper maintenance can seriously ward off this problem.

[Bluesun]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

I'm at 115K miles, 10/06 build date. I've never done this procedure, and the vehicle doesn't have any issues traceable to it. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do, or that I don't have build up, but it seems that even though the engines are DI, proper maintenance can seriously ward off this problem.

I'm at 80k and have never done it, but I get stuttering on idle and sometimes it just runs a little rough.

I'm not sure what you mean by proper maintenance -- what kind of maintenance do you have in mind that could prevent the build up?

[KMEninety335]

I got it done at Helix at 50k and I saw the before and after...It was pretty bad in there and I didn't have any stuttering or anything. Just preventative. I'd recommend it.

[pwr hungry]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

I'm at 115K miles, 10/06 build date. I've never done this procedure, and the vehicle doesn't have any issues traceable to it. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do, or that I don't have build up, but it seems that even though the engines are DI, proper maintenance can seriously ward off this problem.

What preventive maintenance could possibly ward off bmw's inability to engineer a proper pcv system. It's a flaw from the day the car was designed that cannot be maintenanced out of it.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by pwr hungry

What preventive maintenance could possibly ward off bmw's inability to engineer a proper pcv system. It's a flaw from the day the car was designed that cannot be maintenanced out of it.

You seem to aways answer my posts.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by Bluesun

I'm at 80k and have never done it, but I get stuttering on idle and sometimes it just runs a little rough.

I'm not sure what you mean by proper maintenance -- what kind of maintenance do you have in mind that could prevent the build up?

I use BMW approved oils, maintain strict drain intervals, occasional fuel injector cleaner (I know this doesn't affect deposits), and lastly, motor flush (surposedly not reccomended for turbo engines, but I've done it anyways. It works because my oil pan was super clean when we changed the gasket).

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by pwr hungry

What preventive maintenance could possibly ward off bmw's inability to engineer a proper pcv system. It's a flaw from the day the car was designed that cannot be maintenanced out of it.

Then how do you explain the fact that I haven't done my cleaning, and my vehicle runs fine, without any issues after 8 years, and 115K miles of street and track use?

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Then how do you explain the fact that I haven't done my cleaning, and my vehicle runs fine, without any issues after 8 years, and 115K miles of street and track use?

Take a pic of your valves next time you remove your intake mani. Would be cool to see.

[Bluesun]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

I use BMW approved oils, maintain strict drain intervals, occasional fuel injector cleaner (I know this doesn't affect deposits), and lastly, motor flush (surposedly not reccomended for turbo engines, but I've done it anyways. It works because my oil pan was super clean when we changed the gasket).

Which of these are you proposing makes the difference?

I think most of us use BMW approved oils -- hell that's all my motor has ever seen. The oil I get is the exact same stuff that's delivered to the dealerships.

As you said, I don't think fuel injector cleaner would change anything -- beyond keeping your injectors clean.

Motor flushes seem to be controversial (understandable for turbo'd engines) -- but that aside, what would the benefit be in this context? Are you proposing it would prevent oil from misting into the intake system?

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Then how do you explain the fact that I haven't done my cleaning, and my vehicle runs fine, without any issues after 8 years, and 115K miles of street and track use?

I'd be willing to bet you the cost of the cleaning that your valves are incredibly gunked and there will be a noticeable peak HP difference if you dyno before and after a cleaning.

[Danny_Cin]

Anyone know where in MA (besides the stealership) I can get a walnut blasting (sounds perverted) I'm at 116k and I'm sure it could use it I have dci, vrsf cp/hks bov, and Rev 3 installed, vrsf fmic and catless dp's sitting in my garage waiting for a good day to sswap em. Have a misfire issue I'm in the process of investigating (waiting on plug socket) and thinking this should be done as well.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

I'm at 115K miles, 10/06 build date. I've never done this procedure, and the vehicle doesn't have any issues traceable to it. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do, or that I don't have build up, but it seems that even though the engines are DI, proper maintenance can seriously ward off this problem.

Unless you've cleaned the valves and did a before and after dyno not having "any issues" doesn't mean your not losing power. As my post above mentioned I can probably extend my oil changes with out any noticeable issues. Eventually the oil will fail in some aspect. Or in this case eventually your valves will get gunked up enough to exhibit idle and or other performance issues. There is no magical maintenance to prevent carbon build up on direct injection engines except good ol' fashion cleaning.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...valve+cleaning

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...0&postcount=71

[BQTuning]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Then how do you explain the fact that I haven't done my cleaning, and my vehicle runs fine, without any issues after 8 years, and 115K miles of street and track use?

This is interesting....I have seen other cars went in to do the walnut blasting and turned out they absolutely didn't need it. This was at 60k miles.

I myself don't get any of the symtoms, car is a DD, and I put more than 100 miles a day on it, most of it is highway mileage.

Will have my intake checked soon to see if cleaning is needed.

Edit: after breaking 2 chargepipes it was drenched with oil so I can only imagine

[pwr hungry]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Then how do you explain the fact that I haven't done my cleaning, and my vehicle runs fine, without any issues after 8 years, and 115K miles of street and track use?

Your vehicle running fine does not mean you don't have nasty looking intake ports. A lot of people that have poor drivability AND dirty ports could be having other issues at the same time that are less noticeable when the ports are cleaner. The only way to be able to say that what you do maintenance wise is good for keeping them clean is to pull the manifold off and look at them. Have you ever run meth? Some noticed "less" build up when running meth. Also, are you on the original pcv valves and valve cover. Those would be the things I would ask about if trying to determine why yours are clean, if they are in fact clean.

P.S. It's coincidence that I reply to some of your posts.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by BuraQ

This is interesting....I have seen other cars went in to do the walnut blasting and turned out they absolutely didn't need it. This was at 60k miles.

+1
I've seen others too, at relevtively high mileage that were fine too. There are a ton of variables that would effect carbon build up, but most people on here are conviced that the intake valves must be absolutely caked up by a certain mileage.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by pwr hungry

Your vehicle running fine does not mean you don't have nasty looking intake ports. A lot of people that have poor drivability AND dirty ports could be having other issues at the same time that are less noticeable when the ports are cleaner. The only way to be able to say that what you do maintenance wise is good for keeping them clean is to pull the manifold off and look at them. Have you ever run meth? Some noticed "less" build up when running meth. Also, are you on the original pcv valves and valve cover. Those would be the things I would ask about if trying to determine why yours are clean, if they are in fact clean.

P.S. It's coincidence that I reply to some of your posts.

Well, I come from the school of: if it aint broke, don't fix it. My car is a daily driven vehicle, and has been circuit raced at various tracks since 2009. Last year, I even managed to catch, and pass my friends modded E90 M3. I'm currently having no issues I can trace to intake valves, so untill I can see a single code, or issue at the track, I will continue to prep for this season. At my mileage, my turbos, engine, and trans are 100% ok, and because I track the vehicle, I religiously do much much maintenance than the average joe.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by Jeff@TopGearSolutions

Unless you've cleaned the valves and did a before and after dyno not having "any issues" doesn't mean your not losing power.

Jeff, I respect your opinion, but I don't care about 10-15hp at peak, here and there. I measure my vehicles performance by lap times, which have been consistent, thus I've never dyno'ed, and most likely never will.

[Killerfish2012]

A good 60+% of BMW owners follow the stealership maintenance schedules, which last time I was at the stealership, they go at least 12K miles between oil changes. That and their other laps practices Can show a difference in carbon build up between vehicles.

[pwr hungry]

Originally Posted by Killerfish2012

Well, I come from the school of: if it aint broke, don't fix it. My car is a daily driven vehicle, and has been circuit raced at various tracks since 2009. Last year, I even managed to catch, and pass my friends modded E90 M3. I'm currently having no issues I can trace to intake valves, so untill I can see a single code, or issue at the track, I will continue to prep for this season. At my mileage, my turbos, engine, and trans are 100% ok, and because I track the vehicle, I religiously do much much maintenance than the average joe.

Maybe the track days with the high, long periods of load help blow some of the carbon build up loose and through the motor...or maybe they are pretty caked and you don't realize it. My car had nasty ass ports the first time I cleaned them and I didn't have any codes or hesitations.