Carbon Build Up Removal

DoubleA98391 · #1 07-16-2018, 11:53 AM

I was curious if it was ok do do it this way because BMW told me that the cylinder head had to come off to do it. I'm going to try blasting the swirl flaps since I took them out and have a delete kit. If they get damaged by the baking soda then I wont use it on the plastic part on the valve cover area. I looked at it with a borescope but I cant see any bare plastic so how far down does the plastic go?

Sorry if I'm asking dumb questions, I just want to get this done right.

smassey321 · #2 07-16-2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoubleA98391

I was curious if it was ok do do it this way because BMW told me that the cylinder head had to come off to do it. I'm going to try blasting the swirl flaps since I took them out and have a delete kit. If they get damaged by the baking soda then I wont use it on the plastic part on the valve cover area. I looked at it with a borescope but I cant see any bare plastic so how far down does the plastic go?

Sorry if I'm asking dumb questions, I just want to get this done right.

BMW probably told you the valve cover needs to come off. Not the head. Once your intake is off, run a wire down the one of the valve cover side intakes. Half way down you will feel a seam where the plastic turns to metal. 3 or so inches. Can you re-use the baking soda? I had to re-use my almond shells multiple times to finish.

DoubleA98391 · #3 07-16-2018, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smassey321

Can you re-use the baking soda? I had to re-use my almond shells multiple times to finish.

I'm not sure if you can reuse it.. I'm going to try vacuuming it up and sifting out the larger particles but if not I have a 50lbs bag that wasn't too expensive. I tried the baking soda on the swirl flaps since I'm replacing them with plugs anyway. The baking soda didn't seem to harm the plastic so I will probably use it on the valve cover side of the intake. For the plastic intake I've been soaking it in water with dish soap and using a heated pressure washer and that's working very well.

I have some parts on order so I'll have to wait on cleaning the valves.