2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Carbon-build-up? HPFP? Or both?

That must lead to some unusual customer service situations, Jim. :biggrin5:

 

I would suggest starting by reading this post. This is the downside of direct injection engines which are becoming more and more prevalent. I consider it part of my regular maintenance.

http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper-clubman-engine-drivetrain/2002-how-seafoam-treatment-r55-r56.html

Observation after owning a R56 for 3+ years is that this carbon build up, at least on mine, disapates the more I use the car. After a seafoam treatment before and doing a Blue Ridge Parkway roadtrip it cleared it all out and running like a champ. For my car I notice the build up if I am just bopping around town stopping and starting without running the car for any length of time.

 

Not sure what you mean by ground walnut cleaning

I think you are mixing treatments. Techron is good for cleaning fuel injectors and you can use Seafoam for that as well. Please review the video on the thread I shared above, it is also on other forums, as it outlines how to introduce the Seafoam directly into the engine manifold which will address the carbon build up.

Oil Catch Cans or OCC's are also being widely used

 

Think sand blasting but instead of sand the media is ground walnut shell. Walnut shell grit is extremely durable, angular and multi-faceted, yet is considered a 'soft abrasive'.

BMW has a special tool just for this.

Click Me to see the PDF on the tool and how to use.

 

Tim's link doesn't work for the video, here's one that does
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hyi82J66t28]‪Seafoam Part #1‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]
I agree with the Seafoam, we use it on all 3 MINIs and see the biggest difference in the R56. You pour it into the PVC intake hose in the engine compartment. It's not as scary as it seems. My mechanic also recommends 44K in the fuel. It's really whichever you're more comfortable with. The 44K doesn't kill all the mosquitoes within a 15 mile radius though

 

Wow, that must be the uber expensive method I have heard alluded too. Good reminder to keep up with the regular maintenance!!

 

Thanks Rae!

I've shared it before but I still get a smile on my face when I think of my neighbor stopping by during a seafoam treatment and asking if my garage was on fire! :eek6:

 

That is one of the best stories ever!!!!

 

Just curious Lilliput, which dealer in Jersey?

 

If I only had a video camera of his facial expression! priceless!! :lol:

 

Sorry for you poor dealer experience. I might suggest you write a short blurb about your experience. There is a section in the forum where you can rate the dealer experience.
It'll serve two purposes, steer other MINI owners away and eliminate cash flow from our pockets to theirs.

 

My understanding of Seafoam treatment is that it doesn't work when the carbon build up is already established, but works well as preventative maintenance to help carbon build up from occurring.

It doesn't look like it would be difficult to make a walnut shell blaster for use at home. All it would take would be an air compressor, a hopper type sand blaster, filled with walnut shell media, and a shop vacuum.

Hey! Those are things I already have! I think I could fabricate the vacuum hose to cylinder head adapter out of plastic plumbing fittings.

Dave

 

Seafoam in the intake used early will slow the build up of carbon deposits, but will not remove all deposits. The smoke most consider a sign the product is working, is only the product plus oil flushed from the vent hose/throttle body/intake manifold burning, not carbon deposits. Note in the link to the media blasting treatment, some deposits required additional blasting, solvents are not near as aggressive.

 

That would be Prestige, that's odd because I've always heard good things about them. I've always taken mine to Morristown when it was in warranty. Now that's it out, I do all the work myself.