BMW N55 Intake Valve Carbon Cleaning DIY (2009-2019 BMW E82 135i, F30 335i, F10 535i)

►Direct fuel injection has made modern engines more efficient and powerful, but it has a few drawbacks. Like all direct-injected engines, BMW's N55 will need carbon cleaning to ensure it stays running trouble-free. The process is slightly involved but straightforward, making for a great DIY challenge.

Without fuel vapor spraying onto the backs of the intake valves like, in a port-injected engine, carbon and oil residue accumulates on them over time, reducing airflow, fuel mileage, and horsepower. Shooting ground-up bits of walnut shells at the valves is the only real fix, but don't worry, were here to give you the tools and show you how.

Watch along as Gareth Foley, FCP Euro's BMW Expert, cleans the N55 intake valves in an E82 BMW 135i.

00:00 - Intro
02:01 - Tools Needed
04:05 - Job Start/DCT Transmission Neutral Engagement
04:56 - BMW N55 Air Box Removal
07:58 - BMW N55 Charge Pipe Removal
09:12 - BMW N55 Intake Manifold Removal
15:14 - BMW N55 Carbon Cleaning Procedure
21:37 - BMW N55 Intake Manifold Install & Gasket Replacement
23:50 - BMW N55 Charge Pipe Installation
25:25 - BMW N55 Fan Installation
27:02 - BMW N55 Air Box Installation
28:58 - Wrap-Up

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[SeedfulMusic]

Gareth, you're looking so healthy dude! Congratulations on your transformation and taking ownership of your health. You really deserve some great praise, and the best part is we get to keep you around for many years to come. Thank you for all the help you've provided.

[sdmerkr]

Contrary to what Gareth said, I don’t see how this is any different on the N54. Both N54/N55 have the PCV ports that should be blocked off to prevent the walnut cleaning substrate from filling the valve cover and transporting the substrate to an opposing open valve/cylinder. Every single video/forum post online misses the part about blocking off those ports — good job fcpeuro. I had this problem first hand on my N54 and it required the removal of the valve cover to flush it clean, plus blow out the cylinders from the transported substrate into open valves, thus adding a lot of unnecessary work. I would also save yourself some time by keeping the fan installed and bump-starting the motor to close the valves while in neutral.

[darylmorse]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I think this procedure would be relatively similar for the S55. (Aside from getting access to the intake manifold.) How did you clean the debris from the pcv ports? It's clear that inserting the feeler gauge prevents it from going up the port into the valve cover, but that doesn't prevent the material from entering into the bottom of the port.

[asherkimball]

You know what I love about fcp euro? The include diagrams of parts/systems of parts on their web page of the product, They obviously want to incourage/help people to work on European cars and I love that

[Sipho-Msayi]

Thanks for the video, I have an F30 with the N20 engine now at 285000km, How do you know what is the condition of the crankshaft bearings? I am more worried about the piston rings as well.

[clamfroth]

Any thoughts on if dry ice blasting might achieve the same results?

[janerikkant]

After loosening, the bolt for the strut brace is supposed to be replaced, torqued to 40 Nm, and then turned another 60°. I wonder why it was stripped out in the first place.

[vitaliypetruk]

What is the thickness and width of the feeler gage tape? Does fcp sell this tape? If not, who makes it and where can it be purchased?

[sylai]

Loosening just one side of the valve cover to slot in the feeler gauges - any risk of warping the valve cover?

[ghassanal-omari]

What about the N20 engines, do they required this service?

[mrmackee]

I have an n51 with 60k miles with 90%city driving. When should i perform this service?

[wrenchingvids]

Thanks for the video! I’m still getting used to you being skinny 😂
What light do you have on the hood??

[ravishkasilva]

Gareth what's going on dude?
You kinda look ill.
Hope everything okay.