Carbon Build Up Removal

[DoubleA98391]

Hello everyone,
I am in the middle of removing carbon build up from my 2009 BMW X5 diesel. I've researched how to do it, so I'm not here to ask how. However I would love to know how I can rotate the engine over by hand. I'm getting a borescope to look in the intake runners to see when the valve is closed so I can blast in there with walnut shells.

So how can I rotate it by hand? And what direction do I rotate it?

Thanks for the help,
Aaron

[DoubleA98391]

I should reword my question.
How can I safely rotate the engine over by hand? I would assume it isn't as easy as putting a socket on the crank bolt and turning it like on my Jeep. Does the engine rotate clockwise when looking at it from the front of the car?

[smassey321]

This is what I used. https://www.amazon.com/CTA-Tools-301.../dp/B00FQSUUKG

Just a few taps of the button each time you switch cyl and you are all set. There is no easy to get a socket on the crank without an adapter. The above switch hooks to a pin on the starter so it is easy to hook up once the intake is off.

[crystalworks]

^I'd prefer to use the adapter for the crank bolts and rotate it by hand rather than bumping the engine. Just a preference.

Something like this:

[ard]

I was going to opine...but with the compression of the diesel,in just didn't know if it's the same as gassers....


Have we read about e70 cleanings?

[DoubleA98391]

I think I will try the remote starter switch. Which pins do I hook it to on this car? It looks a little different than others that I've worked on.

I have read about the cleaning, I haven't started yet but I read a post where the guy just stuck his media blaster nozzle down in the runners with the valves closed to clean it. Is this an acceptable way to clean it? I also decided to try baking soda, I've tried to research if it's safe for plastic but I haven't gotten a clear answer. I would think if it's safe for fiberglass then it's safe for plastic right?

My plan to prevent the build up going forward is to use an oil separator on the pcv. I read another post here where he used a Mann and Hummel Provent 200.

Thanks for the help so far

[smassey321]

The starter has a male small spade connector. One end of the switch goes there. The other goes to constant 12v. I used the jump start connection point.

Cleaning with the valves closed is the only way to do this job so I am unsure why you are asking if that is acceptable. Do you have the diesel vacuum adapters? I did not blast the plastic areas as they are expensive if damaged. Cleaning the valve cover intake area was by hand was a pain but safe. I dropped the intake off at a machine shop for cleaning. I used walnuts as the build up on the valves is tough to get off. I probably put 20 hours into the job. Don't be fooled by the N54 335i gas videos. Diesel CBU is a lot more work than gas.

You may want to delete the EGR to completely prevent future build up. I did not have a lot of build up at 80k miles and I won't have this vehicle until it happens again.

[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.

[Talonj]

Where can I get one an adapter/tool like that???


[/QUOTE]

[DoubleA98391]

This is the only place I've found so far that has it. 5 Piece tool kit for Fluidampr Install

It's a kit but it has the tool