Is it true that when disassembling the intake manifold and taking a look inside the engine, carbon is gonna be all over the place blocking the pipes (i think thats what its called).
Well a couple of auto-shops i have been to, are certain that after 80.000 klm there needs to be a cleaning from carbon, and the only way to make sure fo this is to disassemble the intake manifold and take a look!
Personally, i think that they just want to make money out of this. So im trying to gather info if this (intake manifold disassembly) is really needed to be done. So i was wondering if we could gather here photos from how it usually looks inside the intake manifold and decide if this is really needed to be done!

 

If you search the forums for 'Carbon on intake valves' You'll find all sorts for photos. This is a very well known issue with MINI's direct injection / PCV system. I would recommend a walnut shell blast type of cleaming every 30,000 miles or roughly 50,000 klm. Maybe even more often depending on the driver. So some shopping and find a reputable independent service center and they should be able to do the service cheaper than the dealer.

 

You can unbolt the intake and see for yourself.
Search the forums for instructions, or get a Benteley R56 manual and have a go:
Yes, mostly likely your intake valves are caked in carbon deposits.
Yes, cleaning them will improve power and fuel consumption.
Walnut shell blasting is the most popular remedy in the US. Costs run from ~$300 at independents, to $650 at the dealer.

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When seeing through the intake manifold hole (after disassembly) what exactly will be in view?

 

Something similar to this picture:

 

And it should look closer to this:

 

Those pics are from an R56S?

 

Yes they are

 

The above two pictures perfectly illustrate the issue with carbon build up. Can't get away from it, just have to include cleaning process into the service schedule. Mine were exactly the same before cleaning.

 

All of you that have done the carbon cleaning, please tell me what are the differences that you have actually felt while driving, when comparing the before and after state of cleaning?

 

Yes, I've done the Walnut Cleaning myself. Car runs much better, smoother idling, much better acceleration. Did it at about 75k miles, now ready to turn 100k. I will pull the intake and do the Walnut Blasting again later in the spring. It really is a necessary maintenance measure!

 

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After I did mine myself it was Very smooth. Very noticable difference for sure. I also had better throttle response and pep from the engine.

I wouldn't be worrying about getting this done. Just do it. If you cannot do it yourself, shop around and find someone reputable to do this for you at a reasonable price.

 

I wonder which of the two ways of cleaning is better! Walnut Blasting or opening the engine and cleaning it?

 

The former is probably a lot cheaper than the latter

 

but which is better?

 

Even if you take the engine apart you still would have to media blast the valves clean.

Taking the engine apart to clean it would be very unnecessary thing to do. The intake valves are of most concern and cleaning them is best done in situ.