Today I got half way cleaning my intake valves. After my car having 117000 miles on it yet new to me, I decided to do it. As the pictures show. This was long over due.

 

I bought my S with 23K on it. It needed it, too. I don't think the PO ever got the car out of town. Long road trips seem to help.

 

I ran sea foam through my car three times first. The intake is super clean, but the intake tracks in the head are still gross. Taking apart the intake all signs are that this was never done on my car. At 117000 miles it still ran ok. Although based on those pictures I'm sure it wasn't long before it wouldn't be. I don't think a long drive will help. Because of the direct injection those valves never get sprayed clean. This is a maintenance job. I'd like to see pics of one that only had 30-50k on it. Look at the most nasty picture the stems have almost two to three times the normal diameter of build up on them.

 

I finished today. An amazing change. I use this app that charts the output from the computer. Before the cleaning and then after.

 

What app do you use? I use Dash Command

 

Dash commander

 

Must be a different dash skin then what I use. I am running the same program. What a difference walnut blasting can make. It is like a new car!

 

If you search dash skins in the settings menu that one comes up its called mini R55

 

Correct, the down side of direct injection is the lack of fuel spraying on the back of the intake valve. This is what our R56 looked like for its second carbon clean up when we got our hands on it. We also used a different method for clean up for those who don't have the adapter and wand for walnut blasting HERE. It's still a very effective method.

 

yes, lost HP , improved Gas mileage is what i found when mine was done. The DIY way is the best if you dont want to take it to the dealer or a shop.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-cleaning.html

 

I know you all talk about walnut blast and in my opion Im not a big fan...
Water meth system will clean the intake an valves while running everyday...
Plus you can tune for the Meth... I ran the WM on my 01 TT and the valves and intake where so clean they looked brand new at 186,000 miles I sure miss that ride.....No Joke...Just look into the Water Meth...
Just my two cents..

 

Nope. WM systems in R56s MINIs don't clean the valve tops. You can see clean streaks on the intake runner walls where the meth has rinsed them clean, but the valve tops stay a mess. There's no substitute for mechanical cleaning.

 

Will installing a oil catch can/ oil air separator help along with plugging the back side PCV ?

 

No. Catch cans are best at under-hood bling.

 

A catch can separates the oil vapors from the crankcase air before it is returned back into the intake system, keeping your intercooler and sensors working at peak performance. If you've ever taken off your intercooler, you most likely noticed a build up of oil within each rubber boot sealing each end of the intercooler. Spray some cleaner into it and you'll quickly discover massive amounts of oil that build up inside the intercooler. This oil coating is not in itself harmful to the general operation of the engine, but it does affect the performance by limiting the efficiency of the intercooler in cooling the compressed intake charge, not to mention gumming up various sensors and components including the critical intake valves. Note the oily moisture build up inside the turbocharger inlet (image below). A catch can will help reduce this type of contamination. This information can be found in our CC DIY install.

 

So would removing the inter cooler and fully cleaning it would reduce my intake temp? Making it more efficient

 

Glad to finally hear it from a real tech! I've always said it's just a waste of $$$

 

I would disagree. Porsche for over 30 years has had an oil air separator system instead of a PCV. So does Bmw. On a 944 and 928 the separator funnels the oil back to the oil pan. That is the only difference.

 

There is always oil in the intercooler and charge air ducts, cleaning it will not help lower temps, unless it is restricted.

 

DIY'd the blasting today, this was after ~70k miles from the last cleaning (@dealer) and few irregular seafoam treatments.

Before and after.

 

Anybody that owns the tools willing to do it at lower cast than dealer???

 

Nice, night and day.

 

I'd contact a MINI indy shop and see what they would quote you. You can find one near you by using this site HERE. Otherwise, if you don't have the adapter and wand, we have a DIY on our site that shows you a great alternative method that does not require those tools. You can view it HERE, post #6.

 

I wouldn't mind doing it as a side business, but thoughts of liability and other risks kinda put a stop to it.

 

We charge $349 if you're in the Philly region...