Intake Carbon Build-up Cleaning

BlackF82 · 03-28-2020, 10:05 AM

My BMW dealer "recommended" intake carbon cleaning. Is it necessary?

I searched all over the forums, only found people giving opinions without photo evidence and unfinished threads. One or two members showed photos at 60K with CLEAN intake but not enough for me to fully rest assured.

I hope this post becomes useful and we get expert advice from reputable shops and knowledgeable folks, thanks in advance.

2015 M4 38K

PhatLyfe · 03-28-2020, 06:40 PM

I'd get a second opinion at a BMW specialist or import car shop.. sound's like teh dealer is trying to make a fast buck.. 60k for this type of service? that's my 2 cents..

hC1001 · 03-28-2020, 06:58 PM

Not at 38K... Ask the dealer to show you the recommended service/maintenance schedule that shows intake carbon cleaning... There is none...

RoundelM3 · 03-29-2020, 08:30 AM

The dealer is thinking about the carbon buildup problems with the N54 engine, figuring that all direct-injection turbo engines have the same issue - which is not true. The PCV system in the N54 caused oil to get into the intact tract causing the buildup problem. The N55/S55/N20 engines have improved crankcase ventilation and do not have the same issue, and certainly not at that low mileage.

BlackF82 · 03-30-2020, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundelM3

The dealer is thinking about the carbon buildup problems with the N54 engine, figuring that all direct-injection turbo engines have the same issue - which is not true. The PCV system in the N54 caused oil to get into the intact tract causing the buildup problem. The N55/S55/N20 engines have improved crankcase ventilation and do not have the same issue, and certainly not at that low mileage.

Thank you!, I hope some members can include photos if they opted for the cleaning just to reassure; but either way, I am not going to do this anytime soon sounds like.

RoundelM3 · 03-30-2020, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackF82

Thank you!, I hope some members can include photos if they opted for the cleaning just to reassure; but either way, I am not going to do this anytime soon sounds like.

Agreed, you really don't need it, particularly if your engine isn't having any issues like misfires and rough idle, etc.

BlackF82 · 03-30-2020, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoundelM3

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackF82

Thank you!, I hope some members can include photos if they opted for the cleaning just to reassure; but either way, I am not going to do this anytime soon sounds like.

Agreed, you really don't need it, particularly if your engine isn't having any issues like misfires and rough idle, etc.

None of that no, running like a champ!

RoundelM3 · 03-30-2020, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackF82

None of that no, running like a champ!

Then you're good to go! Enjoy! SHAME on that service advisor, though. Someone needs to wise him up on the current engines.

FastM3CT · 03-30-2020, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackF82

My BMW dealer "recommended" intake carbon cleaning. Is it necessary?

I searched all over the forums, only found people giving opinions without photo evidence and unfinished threads. One or two members showed photos at 60K with CLEAN intake but not enough for me to fully rest assured.

I hope this post becomes useful and we get expert advice from reputable shops and knowledgeable folks, thanks in advance.

2015 M4 38K

April fools is two days away, but seriously its needed at your mileage by any means.

BlackF82 · 03-30-2020, 07:28 PM

A little fun fact, this was recommended at 33K which was the last time I took it to BMW. At that time, I declined the recommendation but it stayed in the back of my mind. So I thought clear it up with myself so I can feel good.

m4dbimmer · 03-31-2020, 10:29 AM

Does anyone have pics of the valves at 35k+ miles? I keep hearing mixed messages on whether or not the S55 needs walnut blasting.

Freak1c · 03-31-2020, 10:39 AM

If the S55 is anything like my N55 I had in my 535 it shouldn’t be an issue. I had my intake valves walnut blasted at 43k. No major build up whatsoever. Here’s a link to a video.
https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474583

BlackF82 · 03-31-2020, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4dbimmer

Does anyone have pics of the valves at 35k+ miles? I keep hearing mixed messages on whether or not the S55 needs walnut blasting.

Exactly, mixed messages.

BlackF82 · 03-31-2020, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freak1c

If the S55 is anything like my N55 I had in my 535 it shouldn't be an issue. I had my intake valves walnut blasted at 43k. No build up what so ever. Here's a link to a video.
https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474583

Thanks man! Guys like you deserve a trophy 🏆 for a very well documentation, haha.

BlownOne · 03-31-2020, 05:29 PM

I just steam clean my valves daily with methanol lol

PhatLyfe · 03-31-2020, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlownOne

I just steam clean my valves daily with methanol lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlownOne

I just steam clean my valves daily with methanol lol

+ one

JoeFromPA · 04-02-2020, 01:33 PM

That ain’t steam, baby.

03-28-2020, 10:05 AM	#1
BlackF82 First Lieutenant 207 Rep 307 Posts Drives: BMW M4 F82 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0)	My BMW dealer "recommended" intake carbon cleaning. Is it necessary? I searched all over the forums, only found people giving opinions without photo evidence and unfinished threads. One or two members showed photos at 60K with CLEAN intake but not enough for me to fully rest assured. I hope this post becomes useful and we get expert advice from reputable shops and knowledgeable folks, thanks in advance. 2015 M4 38K
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-28-2020, 06:40 PM	#2
PhatLyfe Major 985 Rep 1,144 Posts Drives: 2018 F83 AW/SO ZCP Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somerset County iTrader: (0)	I'd get a second opinion at a BMW specialist or import car shop.. sound's like teh dealer is trying to make a fast buck.. 60k for this type of service? that's my 2 cents..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2020, 06:58 PM	#3
hC1001 Captain 591 Rep 987 Posts Drives: E36 M3, F80 M3 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Brooklyn, NY iTrader: (4)	Not at 38K... Ask the dealer to show you the recommended service/maintenance schedule that shows intake carbon cleaning... There is none...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2020, 08:30 AM	#4
RoundelM3 Major General 1835 Rep 6,990 Posts Drives: 15 F80 M3, 22 G01 X3 30i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clayton, NC iTrader: (2) Garage List 2022 BMW X3 [9.83] 2015 BMW M3 [6.50]	The dealer is thinking about the carbon buildup problems with the N54 engine, figuring that all direct-injection turbo engines have the same issue - which is not true. The PCV system in the N54 caused oil to get into the intact tract causing the buildup problem. The N55/S55/N20 engines have improved crankcase ventilation and do not have the same issue, and certainly not at that low mileage. __________________ 2015 F80 ///M3 Sedan 7DCT Tanzanite, 2022 X3 sDrive30i 8AT Brooklyn Grey
	Appreciate 1 icegrill2078.00 Quote

03-30-2020, 07:28 PM	#10
BlackF82 First Lieutenant 207 Rep 307 Posts Drives: BMW M4 F82 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Phoenix, AZ iTrader: (0)	A little fun fact, this was recommended at 33K which was the last time I took it to BMW. At that time, I declined the recommendation but it stayed in the back of my mind. So I thought clear it up with myself so I can feel good.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-31-2020, 10:29 AM	#11
m4dbimmer Private 75 Rep 92 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Dallas, tx iTrader: (0)	Does anyone have pics of the valves at 35k+ miles? I keep hearing mixed messages on whether or not the S55 needs walnut blasting.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-31-2020, 10:39 AM	#12
Freak1c First Lieutenant 145 Rep 344 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 ZCP MW Join Date: May 2016 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	If the S55 is anything like my N55 I had in my 535 it shouldn’t be an issue. I had my intake valves walnut blasted at 43k. No major build up whatsoever. Here’s a link to a video. https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1474583 Last edited by Freak1c; 04-02-2020 at 01:11 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-31-2020, 05:29 PM	#15
BlownOne Second Lieutenant 172 Rep 267 Posts Drives: 2018 m4 comp Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: NorCal iTrader: (2)	I just steam clean my valves daily with methanol lol __________________ *726whp/668wtq* corn fed meth addict
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-02-2020, 01:33 PM	#17
JoeFromPA Colonel 1795 Rep 2,997 Posts Drives: '15 AW M3 6MT Stripper Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SE PA iTrader: (0)	That ain’t steam, baby.
	Appreciate 0 Quote