I'm sure its on here somewhere, but I've searched and haven't had much luck. I've read a bunch of the SeaFoam and Catch Can threads. Does anyone have any pictures of before and after doing SeaFoam or what intake ports look like on a car that was running a Catch Can vs. one that wasn't. I have a 2007 MCS and I bought it with 30k miles and now have 42k on it. It definately idles a bit rough, but I don't have a reference from when it was new. I'm suspecting carbon build up based on what I've read. I'm not getting any engine lights, but am tempted to pull the intake manifold to take a look.

 

Had a occ for a while before I sold it, then I did seafoam with every oil change i've done, but even at 40k, this is what it'll look like.

 

Seafoam is not going to do that much to the intake valves and ports. It has no time to soak in there with the engine running. It will free up a little bit, but is not the magic solution you're looking for. A catch can will slow things down, but is not a 100% effective solution either.

If you want to do it right, clean everything by hand. Don't forget to clean the turbo compressor wheel, air ducting, and intercooler.

 

Did you also have the PCV block installed? If not, oil will still enter the intake. The PCV block forces all oil vapors,etc through the OCC and collects.

 

I didn't bother doing that mod. I did the walnut shell blasting at 40k miles and I'm getting my Aquamist HF-4 on Monday, so I'm sure the buildup after this will be minor :D

 

I have the OCC installed but not yet plumbed in....I'm doing the walnut shell blast as soon as I hit 43K miles (in about 3 weeks) then install the plumbing, block....probably gonna change the plugs, change the oil while I'm in it. Since I bought it used with 33K in June 2011, I always wondered how many ponies left the paddock so here is the chance to round them up again!

 

Were are you getting your valves cleaned? My friend has a groupbuy going over on e90post for the BMW guys and he also did my cleaning.

 

Got the walnut blast and my pcv vents to atmosphere, only way to guarantee it doesnt happen.

 

I'm having it done at Motoring Magic in Thousand Oaks, CA...$400 for the walnut blast.

 

I used carb cleaner, picks, toothbrushes, brass brush, gun cleaning rod with wipes (to soak the carb cleaner), mirror (to see down into the intake to see how clean things were getting).
Took the better part of a 3 day weekend from start to test drive.
Before is on the left; after on the right.
Improved MPG 2+ MPG and the acceloration was extremely better!
Hope this helps.

 

Found the thread that I started when I first did the cleaning...according to it, the time it took me was more like 14 hours start to finish...guess it just seemed like 3 days!! HAHAHA
Here is a procedure that was very helpful.

 

Used these tools to do the job.

 

Thanks for the pdf. But if I could get it done for $500, I think I'd let the wife pay for it. We're closing in on 90K. It was done early on, at maybe 25-30K.