[KevM2]

Does anyone know if our engines benefit from any sort of intake valve cleaning? Does the dealer offer anything as regular maintenance to prevent or clean gunk from our intake valves?

[champignon]

We will get you hooked up with Stormy Daniels. I hear she is an expert at "intake valve cleaning."

[pruettfan]

Simple answer is no. Unlike the twin turbo N54 engines the flaws that created substantial buildup on the valves has been addressed and is not a significant issue with the N55 engine. Pretty well documented throughout the various threads on other cars that use the N55 engine.

[Bt12]

Even if we needed it would way way down the line

[nachob]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

Simple answer is no. Unlike the twin turbo N54 engines the flaws that created substantial buildup on the valves has been addressed and is not a significant issue with the N55 engine. Pretty well documented throughout the various threads on other cars that use the N55 engine.

I was not aware that the valve build up was an N54 issue. I was under the impression that it was a direct injection and PCV system issue both of which still apply to the N55. Actually the M2 comes with 0W-30 weight whereas the N54 came with 5W-30 oil with the likelihood that the thinner oil sill have a slighter higher propensity to end up recirculating into the intake and mucking up the intakes over time.

I know Ford has added Port injection to their V8 motor to reduce this issue (it is now both port and direct injection) but not aware of anything that BMW did on the N55 motors.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=xrLNDgrIw3U

I don't believe they they added port injection, oil separator or anything like that to significantly reduce this?

Can you please elaborate how the N55 generation of direct injected motors will no longer muck up the valves like the N54?

[KevM2]

But 0w30 is thinner than 5w30... so I would assume based on that reasoning it would be worse... however, I think it has to do more with their NOACK scores and not viscosity... plus the difference between a 0 wt vs 5 wt is only at start up.... from all my reading so far, the general consensus is that the n55 is much less prone to carbon buildup compared to the n54 and that it will take at least 80-100k miles for this to happen...

[look585]

Best valve cleaning take place on the track.

[nachob]

Originally Posted by KevM2

But 0w30 is thinner than 5w30... so I would assume based on that reasoning it would be worse... however, I think it has to do more with their NOACK scores and not viscosity... plus the difference between a 0 wt vs 5 wt is only at start up.... from all my reading so far, the general consensus is that the n55 is much less prone to carbon buildup compared to the n54 and that it will take at least 80-100k miles for this to happen...

Yes, it has more to do with NOACK but generally within the same brand and type of oil, the NOACK scores are higher on the thinner oil. I recently spoke to Shell about the BMW M Twin Turbo 0W-40 NOACK score vs their Pennzoil Platinum 5W-40. They refused to give me the NOACK score for either but eventually I was able to get them to confirm that the 5W-40 was slightly better than the 0W-40, both made by Shell. It was a slip where he was trying to tell me not to worry the 5W-40 was only marginally better (lower NOACK) than the 0W-40.

Despite NOACK scores though, those only reduce the amount of vapors that make it through. You also have unburned fuel that are part of the Direct Injection problem, not an N54 problem.

So again, I am just asking for clarification that BMW has resolved the intake valve direct injection issue? Ford had to add 8 more port fuel injectors to resolve it. I am just curious as to what BMW wizardry was applied to resolve it on the N55?

[akkando]

http://bfy.tw/HAmh

[McPurrs]

Originally Posted by KevM2

But 0w30 is thinner than 5w30...

only while cold...

[KevM2]

I know the n55 engine isn't prone to carbon deposits like the n54 and if it does get any, it will probably be in a long long time.... however, are there any downfalls to using something like the CRC GDI cleaner for the valves say every 40K miles to prevent any long term deposits?

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by look585

Best valve cleaning take place on the track.

While that may be true on engines that develop exhaust-side build up, hard running does absolutely NOTHING for the intake backside problems seen on DI engines.

+1 on the more an N54 problem vs. the N55. Haven't seen any bad N55 images yet, and it's been out for quite a while. We'd know it.

[KevM2]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

While that may be true on engines that develop exhaust-side build up, hard running does absolutely NOTHING for the intake backside problems seen on DI engines.

+1 on the more an N54 problem vs. the N55. Haven't seen any bad N55 images yet, and it's been out for quite a while. We'd know it.

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

While that may be true on engines that develop exhaust-side build up, hard running does absolutely NOTHING for the intake backside problems seen on DI engines.

+1 on the more an N54 problem vs. the N55. Haven't seen any bad N55 images yet, and it's been out for quite a while. We'd know it.

I found this:

https://www.***********.com/showthread.php?88316-The-N55-develops-less-carbon-buildup-than-the-N54-but-you-still-need-to-walnut-blast-it-periodically

***** = [Admin Notified] (one word)

Based on this, if anyone is planning on keeping the car beyond 100K then I'd say doing periodic valve cleaning through the intake/throttle body with something like CRC GDI cleaner is a good preventative measure

[look585]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

While that may be true on engines that develop exhaust-side build up, hard running does absolutely NOTHING for the intake backside problems seen on DI engines.

+1 on the more an N54 problem vs. the N55. Haven't seen any bad N55 images yet, and it's been out for quite a while. We'd know it.

I'm curious how many race engines you have rebuilt to make such a claim?
Tear apart a race engine one day and see how much carbon build up has accumulated. 0, because heat prevents build up regardless of the engine.
Glad you're into images.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by nachob

Can you please elaborate how the N55 generation of direct injected motors will no longer muck up the valves like the N54?

The N55 has been out for 7 years now. There's nothing different about the oil vapor management system in the M2's N55 compared to other N55s. The N55 does require some cleaning but not until 60k+ miles.

[look585]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

The N55 has been out for 7 years now. There's nothing different about the oil vapor management system in the M2's N55 compared to other N55s. The N55 does require some cleaning but not until 60k+ miles.

That would be true for all street engines and in stop and go traffic.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by look585

That would be true for all street engines and in stop and go traffic.

Why do you think a DI engine under racing conditions is less susceptible to carbon build up?

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by look585

I'm curious how many race engines you have rebuilt to make such a claim?
Tear apart a race engine one day and see how much carbon build up has accumulated. 0, because heat prevents build up regardless of the engine.
Glad you're into images.

You're just plain wrong.

Heat, 100% does NOT prevent build up on the back sides of the intake valves. This is a completely different type of carbon buildup vs. what you're talking about (aka what you'd see on an E39 M5, for example).

N54 track cars STILL have to have their intake valves cleaned.

"Race engines"? Where talking about the N54/N55 here. And you implied taking the car to the track would clean the carbon off the intake valves. That is 1000% wrong.

Proof? All of us that have tracked our N54s add still have buildup-including on track-only 1Ms, etc.

[look585]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

You're just plain wrong.

Heat, 100% does NOT prevent build up on the back sides of the intake valves. This is a completely different type of carbon buildup vs. what you're talking about (aka what you'd see on an E39 M5, for example).

N54 track cars STILL have to have their intake valves cleaned.

"Race engines"? Where talking about the N54/N55 here. And you implied taking the car to the track would clean the carbon off the intake valves. That is 1000% wrong.

Proof? All of us that have tracked our N54s add still have buildup-including on track-only 1Ms, etc.

OK sir you're the genius. I'm not going to argue with you.
What proof do you need? You know everything 1000%

[KevM2]

PrematureApex is correct

[David1]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

You're just plain wrong.

Heat, 100% does NOT prevent build up on the back sides of the intake valves. This is a completely different type of carbon buildup vs. what you're talking about (aka what you'd see on an E39 M5, for example).

N54 track cars STILL have to have their intake valves cleaned.

"Race engines"? Where talking about the N54/N55 here. And you implied taking the car to the track would clean the carbon off the intake valves. That is 1000% wrong.

Proof? All of us that have tracked our N54s add still have buildup-including on track-only 1Ms, etc.

Correct, The Italian tune up does nothing for carbon buildup on intake valves on a DI motor. GM has tried to cure it on the 3.6 V6 with increasing valve open overlap to try and get some fuel mist onto the backside of the valves during the intake stroke with some success.

[KevM2]

Certainly no harm in the occasional "Italian tune up" but likely doesn't do much. But there are many who swear by it. When it comes to carbon build up on valves of a DI engine, it's like atherosclerosis in coronary arteries... virtually everyone gets it regardless of how careful you are, and you can definitely reduce risks, but whatever you do, you will either die of it or die with it.... just take measures to reduce risks of early carbon buildup (good oil and frequent oil changes, Italian tune ups, top tier fuel/additives to keep injectors clean, valve cleaners through air intake) and if you do end up with bad gunk then clean it with walnut blast... meanwhile enjoy and have fun with your n55 because chances are it will outlive you