2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: The 'Carbon' Problem...

Update????

 

As you guys know I put a lot of road miles on my MINI's....40K a year. At 80K Silverback was running as good as the day I took delivery. I don't think carbon build up is an issue in my environment. Go out and give it an Italian tune up every week!

 

I have a hopper type sand blaster, I imagine that would work just as well as a pressure pot type.

Dave

 

BSH oil catch can, pcv plug and seafoam should take care of it.

 

I know Seafoam has a lot of supporters, heck I even bought a container, haven't used it yet though. Is there any proof it does anything except make a lot of white smoke? Before and after pictures (probably hard to come by) of the valves and intake passage. Something more than the "Butt Dyno"? I know people say it idles better after a treatment? Just wondering....

 

When installing the oil catch can and plugs, or the BSH dual boost port, you are not blocking off the PCV system entirely. The crankcase gases are still venting through PCV valve, into the oil catch can and to the turbocharger inlet. Because the PCV hose that works with the intake is under vacuum is blocked, it is important that an oil catch can is installed in the other PCV line to keep the condensable vapors out of the turbocharger and intake system.

Dave

 

As usual I'm behind on this issue. Thanks for the post. I have similar driving habits to Redbeard but with less highway time and I haven't looked in to this issue yet. Will do so soon. I'm at about 42,000 miles.

I've been planning on installing an OCC soon. I'm a big NM Engineering fan and really like the looks of their new OCC. Just wondering if you guys have any thoughts/info on it compared to the BSH unit. BSH has been out there longer, I know. I'll check around for other posts on these two.

Also, has anyone checked with COBB and/or ALTA regarding their tunes and the carbon issue? I'll check for that as well and will contact the BMW/MINI guy at COBB you runs with our autox clubs here.

Thanks for the work, gents.

 

This Thread just caught my eye, Wow, you guys are right on track! The Walnut Shell Blaster is the best way to go if/when you need to clean the the valves. Walnut shells have been used for a long time in cleaning of used firearms brass cartridge casings and it does a spectacular job.

I have 2 MINI's, one an '09MC non-"S" which probably won't need serious cleaning for some time but he '011 "S"(N-18 the refresh engine) is another story. I only have 7,700 miles on it now with about 50% being freeway driving and WOT conditions. I took off the InterCooler yesterday and there was ZERO oil in the tubes!! No Catch Can and it was perfectly clean. Maybe when it gets worn and blowby creeps into the picture it will be a different story.

 

Did a Seafoam treatment yesterday at 66,666 miles. It helped quite a bit!

 

I will, I don't need all that gum in the valves if I can avoid it!

 

A MINI showing 66,666 miles with thick smoke pouring out the back end makes me wonder who is driving it and how the engine is powered! :devil:

 

Here is a short video on using the walnut shell method to remove the carbon buildup and the BMW vacuum tool to suck out the used shells.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-HlWELr4Zk&hd=1]Clearing Carbon Buildup in an R56 MINI Cooper - YouTube[/ame]

 

Metalman:

I assume that the valves for each port are at Top Dead Center for the piston. Is there an easy way to get each respective piston to TDC?

Stephen

 

Yeah, all the valves need to be closed on the cylinder that's being serviced. You don't want to fill up the cylinder with walnut shells.

You can remove the fender well liner on the passenger side and crank the engine by hand using a wrench, after you pull the spark plugs (and of course disconnect the battery).

 

Thanks! The wheel well liner removal was what I was not sure about.

Nifty little tool that carbon blaster!

 

Does the blaster get positioned along the back on top of each cyliner? It would have been great to see a before/after compression test result.

Have you had this done for your Chuck?