Anyone use one of the intake and valve cleaners on their R56? Curious if it actually will help decarbon the intake valves or if it’s just a waste of $ and time. I just installed a catch can but the car has 58K on it. 2013 Mini Cooper S

 

@Texasbaehr

I use carburetor or throttle body cleaner when I did my valve service

 

Are you sure your intake valves are dirty and clogged? Your 2013 R56 should have an N18 engine, which are much better at preventing intake valve deposits. The catch can you added is also not likely going to help any, since it’s upstream of the turbo, not the manifold. Best solution, assuming you actually have intake valve deposits, is to remove the intake manifold and perform a visual inspection. Then, if you actually have deposits, a walnut blast is the solution.

That being said, my 2012 N18 has over 150k miles and the intake valves are still relatively clean, and have never been blasted.

 

That is good to know. I haven't inspected mine and nothing has given me reason to do so. I am only at 53,XXX.

 

Good to know. I pulled the catch can after about 500 mi and it had less than 1/8” of Milky oil in it. I have not inspected the valves and am having no issues, I’m just big on preventative maintenance.