Chemical Cleaning vs Walnut Blasting - N54 Intake Valve Cleaning E90 BMW DIY

Wow, my intake valves were gunked up! I bought this car with 150,000 miles on it last year and I've put about 2000 miles on it since then. I've known the valves were bad and I've been meaning to do this job but I didn't realize they were this bad! Anyway, the reason this happens is all down to the fact that this is a direct injected engine and the blow by gasses are recirculated back into the intake and there are no fuel injectors in the intake manifold to "wash down" the backs of intake valves like on previous generations, so this is what happens. And let me tell you, after doing this, the car feels completely changed! This is totally worth doing but fair warning, if your valves look this bad it will be a pain in the ass to clean. In this video I compare two different cleaning methods, chemical (comparing 3 different brands: BG Platinum, CRC GDI Intake Valve Cleaner, and Berryman® B-12 Chemtool) and walnut blasting. Both are valid ways and I will give you my opinion on which one I like the best.

For either cleaning method, these tools are must haves:

ABN Auto Wire Brush 38-Piece Set:
https://amzn.to/3rpkOEb

SWANLAKE Pick and Hook Set
https://amzn.to/3roxxan
(these are longer picks which is what you need to easily reach the bottom of the valves)

You also need an air compressor and this air blow gun or one like it to blow out the debris and the excess cleaner:
https://www.harborfreight.com/air-blo...

For the chemical cleaning you should get this:

BG Platinum Fuel System Kit - Air Intake, Valve, Combustion Chamber Cleaner:
https://amzn.to/3V0JsZi
(Note: I do receive compensation if you buy through this link but you don't get charged extra. I'm not able to find a link to this cleaner anywhere else as it isn't sold at the consumer level but I did find one on ebay for cheaper so look there first)

For the walnut blasting you should get this:

Abrasive blaster:
$84.99 https://www.harborfreight.com/20-lb-p...
or
$39.99 https://www.harborfreight.com/portabl...

Walnut media:
$29.99 https://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-...

Media blasting wand:
$18.69 https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
(This will fit right into the fittings that come with the 20lb abrasive blaster I linked above. For the cheaper one you will likely need to source the appropriate barb fitting at your local hardware store.)

Plastic N54 Walnut Blaster Intake Port Vacuum Adapter:
$19.99 https://amzn.to/3M1lrNE

or $87.99 metal Vacuum Blaster Adapter - Genuine BMW 81292208037:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...

Instead of piecing a kit together for $221.66, you can just buy all the components together for $286.14 here:
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-...
This kit also comes with new intake $38.29 and throttle body $22.99 gaskets which means that it's a pretty good value if you just want a one and done solution.

Do you also need an air compressor and a shop vacuum with a 1.25" hose adapter. Anything will do.

00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:30 Overview of tools and supplies needed
00:04:54 Removing the intake manifold
00:12:17 Bumping the engine over to close the valves
00:14:42 Spraying the chemicals into ports 2, 3, and 4
00:16:28 What causes the intake valve gunking in the first place
00:17:46 Cleaning with brushes
00:20:09 Blow the dirty cleaner out with compressed air
00:21:11 A look at the ports post chemical cleaning
00:24:26 Time for the walnut blasting
00:27:45 Notes on the walnut blasting method
00:32:42 Using brushes on a drill to help clean faster
00:35:00 Finished cleaning, final look at the ports
00:35:57 Which cleaning method is ultimately best
00:37:05 Additional tools that were also helpful
00:38:15 Reinstalling the intake manifold
00:47:04 First start, something went wrong!
00:47:39 Whoops, forgot something.
00:50:28 Third time's the charm?
00:50:40 Final thoughts

This video is for entertainment purposes only. 50sKid assumes no liability for any repairs or modifications performed by the viewer as a result of the information contained in this video.