BMW Intake Port Carbon Cleaning Recommendations?
 

Hello Revscene,

I would like to have the intake ports cleaned on my 2011 BMW 1M, apparently the N54 DFI engine tends to accumulate a lot of carbon on the ports/valves, example below:

http://tyspeed.com/wp-content/upload...82189056_n.jpg

I've already been quoted by BMW, Nixon, and CG... can't help but feel as though the cost of having the service performed by these shops is outrageous.

Forum and web search found results suggesting I should be able to find someone to do it for around $500... hoping someone can point me to a shop closer to this price point.

Thanks in advance!

What have the shops quoted so far?

Generally speaking somewhere around the $800-1000 mark.

Yes I’m looking for the same thing to be done. Few shops I deal with said they don’t do it. One place I found said around 1000 could be more depending on how long it takes so I just left it. Car is started to misfire even though I’ve done all the injectors plugs and coils. Randomly happens so I’m thinking it could be the intake valves

Carbon cleaning group buy :facepalm:

Instantly reminded why I should just stick to Porsches.

Hahah never ends with n54 engine. Let me know if you find anyone. There was this person on the bmw forums locally that does it in his garage for good price in Vancouver but I lost his contact info. I contacted him few years back but never got time to set it up with him. Name started with a Z that’s all I remember.

Hi name is Zeno.
But unfortunately I do not have his contact either. He was at downtown west side but he probably moved already. Certainly not on CL anymore.

#germanengineering

Try Leah's in North Vancouver.

put higher octane fuel and redline often to burn some of it off LUL

hi guys, i have a n54 as well and dont be bashing the N54s !! We are here to help the OP... FWIW i havent seen a check engine light in 2 years with my N54 running 21.5psi daily on a E40 tune

Regarding the Walnut blast im due for one soon as well...

There was someone on CL that was doing the blast for around 400$ if i remember correctly, it could be Zeno ( i met the guy 10 years ago )

my friend just did his at Stop Stop Inc in burnaby on Dawson st. He does it old school with brushes and a solution and doesnt stop until its all clean. i believe he charges $450.00. Its a small indy shop but KAPA ( the owner ) does good work.

let us know where u end up doing it and what you paid for


2007 E92 335i / VRSF 5" FMIC-Charge Pipe-DCI-Inlets/ TurboSmart Plumb Back DV / XHP / E50 Custom Tune by WedgePerformance / APEX ARC8 / MT ET Street / 11.71 @ 119 / Instagram.com/silent11n54

Carbon cleaning is one of the things on my upcoming maintenance list. The last time my car was being serviced at RPI Equipped I asked about pricing and they estimated ~$600. They service mostly VW/Audi but I've seen BMWs on their Instagram too.

Have you tried performance one?

shops may not be able do it because they probably are not equipped with the walnut blasting machine + the proper vacuum attachments. it is also possible to have carbon or walnuts shells fall into the cylinders, and potentially bend the valves. the job is made easier with a boroscope to verify the valves are closed and that nothings fallen into the cylinders -- again another piece of costly equipment for many shops.

wherever you decide to go, just make sure its done right!!

fortunately i have the N55 motor which is much less prone to carbon :lol

pour a little seafoam in it and see what happens :troll:

private modder or not, i sure hope no one is blasting walnut without a boroscope

they've come down in price

if you insist on a dedicated screen:
https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-YI...290JHTCBM5Q6D3

I was quoted $3000 by Nixon for CBU on x5d. A reputable shop in the Seattle area charges $500usd

Performance One in Richmond just quoted me some very reasonable pricing, looks like they win the work.

I'll report back on the level of service I receive.

Thanks ladies!

Seafoam and hit it to redline. Should work wonders!

Wouldn't a catch can prevent this issue?

^ it will reduce carbon from the pcv, but there's other sources like the egr, blowby and other shit in the combustion chamber, oil leaking down the valves, and oil leaking through the turbo seals. It's definitely an issue on anything DI especially turbo. Seems like especially bad on VAG cars though

Just wanted to follow up and say that I had a great experience at PerformanceOne, they are now my preferred German indy shop, Mike and Louis were a pleasure to deal with and their pricing was extremely competitive.

+ Bonus points for snapping before and after pics of the intake ports for me.

And then doesn’t post pics... such a cocktease

competitive price = $700-800 ?