"Italian tune-up"

Rg21044 · 09-24-2014, 10:32 AM

Is there any merit or benefit to a direct injection engine from performing an "Italian tune-up"?

I know that a walnut blast is the real solution. I just wondered if this might offer some slight improvement in the short term. Thanks in advance for your replies.

drunkenup · 09-24-2014, 10:35 AM

Audi/VW guys claim running it at constant mid-high rpm and other tactics will burn off intake carbon deposits but I doubt its effective

norsairius · 09-24-2014, 10:37 AM

I think I first read this theory among MK/MKVI VW GTI enthusiasts, but the idea is that all the heat and vibrations caused by running at higher RPMs for a more sustained period of time knocks off some of those carbon deposits on the valves.

I've not heard of any engineer or technicians confirming this theory. Even if it does help, I don't see it coming anywhere close to being as effective as the walnut shell blast.

David1 · 09-24-2014, 11:59 AM

No, absolutley not, no, do I have to repeat? If anything you will get more blow by and more junk on the valves.

CaliBMW86 · 09-24-2014, 12:06 PM

This is commonly done on cars with rotary engines e.g. Mazda RX-8. It leaves a big cloud of smoke, but it does clean out the valves.

shadow191 · 09-24-2014, 12:18 PM

But rotaries aren't direct injection.

PascalsWager · 09-24-2014, 12:26 PM

Lol Italian tune-up....makes me think of the 'Greek Shower' - strong cologne only.

David1 · 09-24-2014, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadow191

But rotaries aren't direct injection.

And no valves, ports.

thomas88162 · 09-24-2014, 02:31 PM

It is true that your engine is more likely to be warmed up doing an Italian tune up on occasion, which makes it less likely for carbon buildup to form in the first place. However, it is more of an engine design issue than a granny driving mode one. You cannot evade a valve cleaning.

galahad05 · 09-24-2014, 03:01 PM

Works mostly in combustion chamber buildup. Effective in old-school carbureted engines running non-detergent gasoline.

Modern engines, not so much.

kunal_d · 09-24-2014, 03:08 PM

It helped a bit in my case. I was getting hesitation/sputtering on the highway, always under load in 5th or 6th. It only occurs between 2-3.5K rpms. No codes, or lights. I had a walnut blasting done around 70K miles, and now I'm at about 90K, so I gave this a shot.

I did about 70-80 mph in 3rd gear for about 5 mins, probably 15 mins total. I did this a few times and I'm pleased to report the hesitation/sputtering is greatly reduced.

I've read on other forums that this can help, not solve but "help" rid some of the carbon deposits, and if coupled with Techron it can also help clean gunked up injectors. I figured it can't hurt to try and it definitely helped with my hesitation problem. YMMV

alfazrus · 09-24-2014, 08:11 PM

Lol, this is how we tuned our alfa romeos back in the day.

Eat.Sleep.Race · 09-24-2014, 08:13 PM

Just run some meth, it'll clean out those valves!

thomas88162 · 09-24-2014, 08:41 PM

You could even try water decarbonization if you really wanted. I, for one, have yet to be brave enough to try it on any of my cars. I do hear that it really works though, as long as large quantities of water aren't used...

galahad05 · 09-24-2014, 11:30 PM

I did the water trick on my old 68 'vette. Huh, and on my last bike too, now that I recall.

This is an OOOOOLD school trick.

blown07 · 09-25-2014, 08:40 AM

Until you've tried to clean these valves by hand you have no idea what this gunk is like....ain't nothing going to have the slightest effect on them except for mechanical cleaning. I let the valves soak in carb cleaner for 1/2 an hour and that barely did anything. Had to use brushes and carb cleaner then reapeat 4 times. I am interested to see if meth slows down the buildup however (only applies once they are clean I would think)

galahad05 · 09-25-2014, 10:28 AM

For me, I've scheduled in walnut shell blasting service every 60k miles as part of my maintenance routine.

jeffro535 · 09-28-2014, 05:21 PM

I've noticed that the N54 seems to be just like any other BMW motor...happiest when run hard. The car always seems to run its best after a road trip. Having said that, my recent move has changed the daily commute from 25+ each way miles on freeways that I pushed the car fairly hard on daily to 8 miles that the thing barely gets to a normal oil temp. The dealer was troubleshooting a hesitation and noticed that the valves had "practically zero" carbon build up. Hopefully it keeps this up.

09-24-2014, 10:32 AM	#1
Rg21044 Second Lieutenant 25 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Coupe Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: East coast USA iTrader: (0)	"Italian tune-up" Is there any merit or benefit to a direct injection engine from performing an "Italian tune-up"? I know that a walnut blast is the real solution. I just wondered if this might offer some slight improvement in the short term. Thanks in advance for your replies.
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09-24-2014, 10:35 AM	#2
drunkenup Captain 215 Rep 988 Posts Drives: 2009 135i, 2021 F150 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Audi/VW guys claim running it at constant mid-high rpm and other tactics will burn off intake carbon deposits but I doubt its effective
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09-24-2014, 10:37 AM	#3
norsairius Foodie and Gearhead 102 Rep 733 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: MN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i xDriv ... [9.50]	I think I first read this theory among MK/MKVI VW GTI enthusiasts, but the idea is that all the heat and vibrations caused by running at higher RPMs for a more sustained period of time knocks off some of those carbon deposits on the valves. I've not heard of any engineer or technicians confirming this theory. Even if it does help, I don't see it coming anywhere close to being as effective as the walnut shell blast. __________________ 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, Deep Sea Blue w/Oyster Interior
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09-24-2014, 11:59 AM	#4
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,953 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	No, absolutley not, no, do I have to repeat? If anything you will get more blow by and more junk on the valves. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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09-24-2014, 12:06 PM	#5
CaliBMW86 Private First Class 7 Rep 112 Posts Drives: BMW 335i; Ducati S4RS Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	This is commonly done on cars with rotary engines e.g. Mazda RX-8. It leaves a big cloud of smoke, but it does clean out the valves.
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09-24-2014, 12:18 PM	#6
shadow191 Lieutenant Colonel 181 Rep 1,681 Posts Drives: 2017 Volvo XC90 R-Design Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: GA iTrader: (3)	But rotaries aren't direct injection.
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09-24-2014, 12:26 PM	#7
PascalsWager Cognitive 4 Rep 273 Posts Drives: '06 330i TiAg Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Triad, NC iTrader: (0)	Lol Italian tune-up....makes me think of the 'Greek Shower' - strong cologne only.
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09-24-2014, 02:31 PM	#9
thomas88162 Lieutenant 19 Rep 595 Posts Drives: E92 328i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Clinton, IN iTrader: (0)	It is true that your engine is more likely to be warmed up doing an Italian tune up on occasion, which makes it less likely for carbon buildup to form in the first place. However, it is more of an engine design issue than a granny driving mode one. You cannot evade a valve cleaning.
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09-24-2014, 03:01 PM	#10
galahad05 Brigadier General 158 Rep 3,158 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	Works mostly in combustion chamber buildup. Effective in old-school carbureted engines running non-detergent gasoline. Modern engines, not so much. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. --Mark Twain
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09-24-2014, 03:08 PM	#11
kunal_d First Lieutenant 16 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 08 335i 3 pedals Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: GTA iTrader: (0)	It helped a bit in my case. I was getting hesitation/sputtering on the highway, always under load in 5th or 6th. It only occurs between 2-3.5K rpms. No codes, or lights. I had a walnut blasting done around 70K miles, and now I'm at about 90K, so I gave this a shot. I did about 70-80 mph in 3rd gear for about 5 mins, probably 15 mins total. I did this a few times and I'm pleased to report the hesitation/sputtering is greatly reduced. I've read on other forums that this can help, not solve but "help" rid some of the carbon deposits, and if coupled with Techron it can also help clean gunked up injectors. I figured it can't hurt to try and it definitely helped with my hesitation problem. YMMV
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09-24-2014, 08:11 PM	#12
alfazrus First Lieutenant 101 Rep 308 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 330i Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: DC iTrader: (2)	Lol, this is how we tuned our alfa romeos back in the day.
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09-24-2014, 08:13 PM	#13
Eat.Sleep.Race Out Boosting... 243 Rep 3,987 Posts Drives: F30 335i M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (7)	Just run some meth, it'll clean out those valves! __________________ Alpine White M-Sport F30
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09-24-2014, 08:41 PM	#14
thomas88162 Lieutenant 19 Rep 595 Posts Drives: E92 328i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Clinton, IN iTrader: (0)	You could even try water decarbonization if you really wanted. I, for one, have yet to be brave enough to try it on any of my cars. I do hear that it really works though, as long as large quantities of water aren't used...
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09-24-2014, 11:30 PM	#15
galahad05 Brigadier General 158 Rep 3,158 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	I did the water trick on my old 68 'vette. Huh, and on my last bike too, now that I recall. This is an OOOOOLD school trick. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. --Mark Twain
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09-25-2014, 08:40 AM	#16
blown07 Lieutenant 202 Rep 449 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Tijuana iTrader: (0)	Until you've tried to clean these valves by hand you have no idea what this gunk is like....ain't nothing going to have the slightest effect on them except for mechanical cleaning. I let the valves soak in carb cleaner for 1/2 an hour and that barely did anything. Had to use brushes and carb cleaner then reapeat 4 times. I am interested to see if meth slows down the buildup however (only applies once they are clean I would think) __________________ 335i FBO,Meth,JB4,Sutphin flash,LSD,GCLites 11.25@127.4 on NT05R 335xi FBO,Meth,JB4,Sutphin flash,VTT stage1 11.38 1/4 - 7.30 1/8th - 3.35 0 to 60 @ 0C
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09-25-2014, 10:28 AM	#17
galahad05 Brigadier General 158 Rep 3,158 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (0)	For me, I've scheduled in walnut shell blasting service every 60k miles as part of my maintenance routine. __________________ Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest. --Mark Twain
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09-28-2014, 05:21 PM	#18
jeffro535 First Lieutenant 16 Rep 311 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i, 2019 X3M40 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	I've noticed that the N54 seems to be just like any other BMW motor...happiest when run hard. The car always seems to run its best after a road trip. Having said that, my recent move has changed the daily commute from 25+ each way miles on freeways that I pushed the car fairly hard on daily to 8 miles that the thing barely gets to a normal oil temp. The dealer was troubleshooting a hesitation and noticed that the valves had "practically zero" carbon build up. Hopefully it keeps this up.
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