Walnut blasted Intake valves

TheeGovernor · 03-12-2012, 11:54 PM

I used
http://www.harborfreight.com/portabl...kit-37025.html
and
http://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-...dia-92150.html
as well as a vacuum. I did not make an adapter plate for the vacuum and blaster, which did make a big mess. I covered open valves with a rag and plugged the necessary pipes. The only problem i found with this setup was the tip of the blaster was small, so i could not fully reach the end of the valves. The engine could be turned by jumping the starter with a wire.
After putting everything back together, it took a couple turns to start but then ran fine.
Results
I was not expecting huge results because i could not clean everything at the bottom of the valves. However, the car is so much more rev happy.

and pulls nicely. People who haven't cleaned their valves should.

secretsquirrel · 03-13-2012, 12:34 AM

I'd love to do something like this. But I'm a little apprehensive about doing it. Thanks for posting the tools you used.

jephs422 · 03-13-2012, 01:41 AM

getting ready to fo this next week. Are there any gaskets to buy, or is everything reusable?

cvc 22349a · 03-13-2012, 01:46 AM

OP: how many miles on your car?

jb's335 · 03-13-2012, 05:31 AM

Cool, did not know these machines were this cheap! I love Harbor Freight...not the best quality but still the tools available are amazingly affordable and work longer than expected.

Thanks for the post! Hope to do this soon...

mattsfeir · 03-13-2012, 07:22 AM

Great info, may have to try this. Dealer quoted me $840 to walnut blast the valves.

raceyBMW · 03-13-2012, 02:01 PM

$840!!! Which dealer is trying to rip you off that bad?

TonyDangH · 03-13-2012, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jephs422

getting ready to fo this next week. Are there any gaskets to buy, or is everything reusable?

I know you have to replace the intake manifold gasket. What I am wondering is if you need to replace the throttle body gasket.

The good thing is that these gasket are relatively affordable and should be replace. I guess it is always better to be safe then sorry.

I walnut blasted my friends Mazdaspeed 3 and it did wonders for his car. I can't wait to do it to mine.

JoosyJoos · 03-13-2012, 02:50 PM

There is no way that should be $840 bucks. I just took the intake manifold off my e36 over the past weekend and it took maybe an hour to remove everything. The N54 really isn't all that much different.

I would definitely replace all the gaskets just to be on the safe side... otherwise you could end up with some strange idle problems caused by a leaking manifold (common e36 problem)

Laid Black 335i · 03-13-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raceyBMW

$840!!! Which dealer is trying to rip you off that bad?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoosyJoos

There is no way that should be $840 bucks. I just took the intake manifold off my e36 over the past weekend and it took maybe an hour to remove everything. The N54 really isn't all that much different.

I would definitely replace all the gaskets just to be on the safe side... otherwise you could end up with some strange idle problems caused by a leaking manifold (common e36 problem)

I dunno, I've been reading about intake valve cleaning a lot lately by searching on this forum. And I've seen members say they've been quoted for as little as $600 to as high as $1100.

mattsfeir · 03-13-2012, 03:38 PM

The dealer was Schomp, needless to say, I passed. Will DIY as with most other things.

Syndicategt · 03-13-2012, 03:49 PM

$650 is what I paid the dealer. I would say between $400-600 is a fair price, I was just in a hurry.

TheeGovernor · 03-13-2012, 04:55 PM

secretsquirrel-If you have a little car knowledge and read all the diy's, you will be fine.

jephs-I reused the gaskets and put grease on them and not leaks yet. But for 30 dollars, i would buy the gaskets.

cvc- 77,000 and the guy who owned it before me did oil changes at 15,00 mile intervals

Tony- I didn't replace the gaskets;you probably should depending on miles

The most import thing when using the tools i used is to make or buy an extended nozzle so you can blast far down into the valves.

Olde Irish · 03-13-2012, 11:08 PM

Had mine done at the dealership, $349. SA provided photos, looked great.

Alpina_B3_Lux · 03-14-2012, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheeGovernor

jephs-I reused the gaskets and put grease on them and not leaks yet. But for 30 dollars, i would buy the gaskets.

Tony- I didn't replace the gaskets;you probably should depending on miles

Do you happen to have the part no. of the two gaskets? I intend to do that as well in the next two weeks and it would be good to know what parts I need to replace at that occasion.

Alpina_B3_Lux

NiVeDh · 03-14-2012, 07:58 AM

Harbor Freight is awesome!

neech · 03-14-2012, 12:06 PM

was also planning on doing this this summer, was thinking about using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) which is a common blasting medium, a little less abrasive than walnut shell, and water soluble. Would definitely make a vacuum attachment but it would still probably make a mess..

nafoo · 03-14-2012, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olde Irish

Had mine done at the dealership, $349. SA provided photos, looked great.

Care to share the pics?

bryce · 03-14-2012, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nafoo

Care to share the pics?

being in houston, we have very limited options for this service. the only dealership i've found that knows what walnut shell blasting for intake valve cleaning is charges $950 (southwest momentum). fuck that.

TurboBimmer · 03-14-2012, 04:11 PM

My local dealer charges up to $1000 for walnut blasting. That's just crazy. This harbor freight stuff would be an awesome alternative!

rob1024 · 09-10-2014, 07:44 PM

How about $300 for the walnut blast here in NJ

vivanapoli806 · 09-10-2014, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob1024

How about $300 for the walnut blast here in NJ

Also had mine done for $300 in Chicago

03-12-2012, 11:54 PM	#1
TheeGovernor Life is better with burnouts 98 Rep 611 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Mile High iTrader: (4) Garage List 1996 Toyota Forklift [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	Walnut blasted Intake valves I used http://www.harborfreight.com/portabl...kit-37025.html and http://www.harborfreight.com/25-lbs-...dia-92150.html as well as a vacuum. I did not make an adapter plate for the vacuum and blaster, which did make a big mess. I covered open valves with a rag and plugged the necessary pipes. The only problem i found with this setup was the tip of the blaster was small, so i could not fully reach the end of the valves. The engine could be turned by jumping the starter with a wire. After putting everything back together, it took a couple turns to start but then ran fine. Results I was not expecting huge results because i could not clean everything at the bottom of the valves. However, the car is so much more rev happy. and pulls nicely. People who haven't cleaned their valves should. Last edited by TheeGovernor; 03-13-2012 at 05:04 PM..
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03-13-2012, 12:34 AM	#2
secretsquirrel Colonel 130 Rep 2,291 Posts Drives: f80 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Far North Dallas iTrader: (2)	I'd love to do something like this. But I'm a little apprehensive about doing it. Thanks for posting the tools you used.
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03-13-2012, 01:41 AM	#3
jephs422 Private First Class 7 Rep 104 Posts Drives: '08 335i E90 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ojai Ca iTrader: (1)	getting ready to fo this next week. Are there any gaskets to buy, or is everything reusable?
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03-13-2012, 01:46 AM	#4
cvc 22349a Colonel 164 Rep 2,556 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (11)	OP: how many miles on your car? __________________ 2007 E90 335i, TiAg, 6AT, ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, 6FL, HD Quaife lsd, ETS fmic, GIAC s/w, Dinan intake/exhaust/oc, Koni/M3 susp, Apex Arc 8, Mich PSS
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03-13-2012, 05:31 AM	#5
jb's335 Big Boost Addict 52 Rep 689 Posts Drives: AW e92 335 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lima, OH iTrader: (12)	Cool, did not know these machines were this cheap! I love Harbor Freight...not the best quality but still the tools available are amazingly affordable and work longer than expected. Thanks for the post! Hope to do this soon...
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03-13-2012, 07:22 AM	#6
mattsfeir Lieutenant 37 Rep 458 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CO iTrader: (2)	Great info, may have to try this. Dealer quoted me $840 to walnut blast the valves.
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03-13-2012, 02:01 PM	#7
raceyBMW king of the hills 92 Rep 2,915 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 w/ESS55, 2001 540i/6 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Arvada, CO iTrader: (1) Garage List 2001 BMW 540i/6 [8.17] 1994 530i [9.00] 2007 335i Coupe [8.37]	$840!!! Which dealer is trying to rip you off that bad?
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03-13-2012, 02:50 PM	#9
JoosyJoos Major 113 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	There is no way that should be $840 bucks. I just took the intake manifold off my e36 over the past weekend and it took maybe an hour to remove everything. The N54 really isn't all that much different. I would definitely replace all the gaskets just to be on the safe side... otherwise you could end up with some strange idle problems caused by a leaking manifold (common e36 problem) __________________ 1997 M3 Coupe - BMWCCA I-Prepared #22 2006 M Roadster - 23,000 miles and slowly counting
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03-13-2012, 03:38 PM	#11
mattsfeir Lieutenant 37 Rep 458 Posts Drives: 335xi Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CO iTrader: (2)	The dealer was Schomp, needless to say, I passed. Will DIY as with most other things.
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03-13-2012, 03:49 PM	#12
Syndicategt Brigadier General 155 Rep 3,730 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Nor Cal iTrader: (11)	$650 is what I paid the dealer. I would say between $400-600 is a fair price, I was just in a hurry. __________________ 2008 BMW 335i e90 - Sold - Rob Beck Turbos / PROcede V5 / Aquamist HFS-4 / AR Downpipes / AE Exhaust / ER Comp FMIC / ER CP / TiAL BOV / Custom Intake / RPI Scoops / Quaife LSD / Swift-Koni Coilovers / DSS HS / Morr VS8.2 Sig Black / Michelin PSS / P3 Boost Guage / M3 body / M3 steering wheel / Adam's Rotors / Hawk HPS / SS lines /
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03-13-2012, 04:55 PM	#13
TheeGovernor Life is better with burnouts 98 Rep 611 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Mile High iTrader: (4) Garage List 1996 Toyota Forklift [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	secretsquirrel-If you have a little car knowledge and read all the diy's, you will be fine. jephs-I reused the gaskets and put grease on them and not leaks yet. But for 30 dollars, i would buy the gaskets. cvc- 77,000 and the guy who owned it before me did oil changes at 15,00 mile intervals Tony- I didn't replace the gaskets;you probably should depending on miles The most import thing when using the tools i used is to make or buy an extended nozzle so you can blast far down into the valves.
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03-13-2012, 11:08 PM	#14
Olde Irish Space Cadet 0 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 08 335i E92 6at Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Duvall, WA iTrader: (0)	Had mine done at the dealership, $349. SA provided photos, looked great.
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03-14-2012, 07:58 AM	#16
NiVeDh Major General 422 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	Harbor Freight is awesome!
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03-14-2012, 12:06 PM	#17
neech Private 6 Rep 92 Posts Drives: "11 M3 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM iTrader: (4)	was also planning on doing this this summer, was thinking about using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) which is a common blasting medium, a little less abrasive than walnut shell, and water soluble. Would definitely make a vacuum attachment but it would still probably make a mess..
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03-14-2012, 04:11 PM	#20
TurboBimmer Lieutenant Colonel 79 Rep 1,617 Posts Drives: F82 M4 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Luxembourg iTrader: (5)	My local dealer charges up to $1000 for walnut blasting. That's just crazy. This harbor freight stuff would be an awesome alternative! __________________ Performance Seats, Exhaust, Splitters, Pedals, Steering Wheel / RB Turbos / M3 CF Roof / Brembo GT BBK 355/345 / Rollcage / Forge FMIC / Quaife LSD / Öhlins Road & Track / M3 Suspension Parts / Solid Subframe Bushings / Vorshlag Camberplates / Megan Racing Toe Links / LeatherZ Gauges / Extended M3 DCT Paddles / ER Sports OC / AR OC / Aux Radiator / AR DPs / Alpina TCU / COBB Pro-Tune
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09-10-2014, 07:44 PM	#21
rob1024 First Lieutenant 42 Rep 321 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 335i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: north NJ iTrader: (8)	w blast How about $300 for the walnut blast here in NJ __________________ MHD/Wedge E60 flash/Alpina TCU /Fuel It st2/Dinan OC/RB inlets/Helix Fmic/Vrsf DP/Forge DV/BMS DCI/BMS CP/TC Kline SA/swift springs/MF lsd/OEM PE mod/front and rear M3 links/M3 strut brace/Powerflex race rear diff,camber link bushes/DEV diff brace/Megan toe arms/AKG Race subframe bushes/Hotchkis Sway Bars/18 TSW nurburring/Michelin PSS/BMW M perf 370mm Hexon RR600 on the way
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