BMW N54 Walnut Blasting Intake Valves: Carbon Cleaning

BMW N54 Walnut Blasting Intake Valves: Carbon Removal
So its only taken 11 days to complete, but this is a video on cleaning the intake ports and valves on the budget N54 335i. The biggest issue was using the wrong grade walnut, but we got there in end.
If you are based in Australia, this is the walnut i ended up using that worked perfectly. ebay.to/2UScfm0 The freight from these guys is quite reasonable too.
This is the starter switch, these are really helpful for compression testing or intake valve cleaning. amzn.to/3dCf5CT
If you have any questions about doing this, hit us up in the comments below.
#n54 #walnutblast #intakeclean
Want some #teamn54 merch? Teespring Store - bit.ly/3fh0bT5
UPDATE AUGUST 2020
The car is tuned currently by JSRTuning and its performing so well. Please go and give JSRTuning a sub on youtube. Its mainly n54 racing vids.... i mean what more could you ask for. bit.ly/3dCM60F If you do contact JSR let him know you heard about him on Zeroto60.
Check out the full playlist on this car - bit.ly/2xc0EoA
Budget Build Parts List So Far
Turbos through eBay
RHD UK/Australia - ebay.to/2PKAgId
LHD USA/Europe - ebay.to/3hN9awQ
Turbos through Amazon
17T RHD / LHD Listing amzn.to/3efnoDQ
19T LHD amzn.to/2VZuV3i. (these are slightly bigger then mine, i wish i got these)
19T RHD amzn.to/2ZXg0Ib (these are slightly bigger then mine, i wish i got these)
2 Inch Inlets - ebay.to/33Qi9ZJ
Gecko Coilovers - ebay.to/3jrUIeI
Rocker Cover - amzn.to/33caOBd , ebay.to/2TIRQyZ
-10an Line & Fittings Kit - ebay.to/31GFsCB
Trans Cooler - ebay.to/3gOkbxy
Elder Coils - ebay.to/38Izq5R
Billet PCV Valve - ebay.to/3aS7NJg
China Spec Walbro 460 F90000267 (use at own risk, but that is whats in this car currently - update the second pump in the stage 3 setup, failed straight away) - amzn.to/33fqYZ4
LCI Tail Lights - ebay.to/34KQc3L
12mm Bolt On Spacers - ebay.to/2XRRKah
E92 Custom Floor Mats - ebay.to/2CkgEaX
Smoked Side Flashers - ebay.to/2XPyVEk
Clear Side Flashes - ebay.to/2PMkMUi
My port injection was secondhand. But i may switch to a PI manifold shortly.
#17Thybrids #teamN54 #n54turbo
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[@johnherbert5919]

This is really good stuff guys. Its great when you find a channel that covers the things in your sphere of interest and big thumbs up for the quality and clarity of the videos, I really appreciate your work here.

[@TheFrenchPug]

Great video and info! You should notice a more beast type start up and very smooth, and strong acceleration over prior.

[@WyattWebster]

Great video!!

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Thans appreciate the kind words.

[@friguy4444]

Jezz guys your misery saves us misery. Thanks. LOL. Now hopefully I'll be able to do this the right way the first time because of you and the info I got from you! Kudos!

[@darrenfrost919]

Absolutely brilliant video! Am in the process of doing this job on my R56 Mini Cooper S and was struggling to know what size walnut media to order and you covered it perfectly in this video. So pleased I found this!

[@davidBarrel]

did you do it Darren? I found only 18-40 grits on amazon, will they work thru a small handy sand blaster?

[@darrenfrost919]

@@davidBarrel Hey David! Yeah I performed the walnut blasting on my Mini Cooper engine a little while after posting my initial comment. I also struggled to find the size grit they used here and ended up using 16-24 grit. It worked fine through a Blackridge Sand Blaster portable unit along with the wand attachment from BMW, although I still had to do some manual scraping inbetween each blasting session but that might be because the cleaning had never been performed on the car.

[@davidBarrel]

@@darrenfrost919 hey great news thank you;) wich year is your Mini? great drivers car. By the way do you remember how much walnut is enought? as is reusable, I'm thinking on importing 2 or 3 kg wich would be around 6 pounds . I feel the wand would be very usefull but the adapter to plug the vacuum cleaner and the blaster...84 euros is too much, I'll make some artifact for this particular porpouse.:)

[@darrenfrost919]

@@davidBarrel Hey David apologies for the delayed reply. I have the 2007 Mini Cooper S with the John Cooper Works kit upgrade. It's an absolute blast to drive! I ordered a 20kg bag as the company I bought from only sold it in that amount. It was way too much but I did use quite a few kgs however I made sure to use a brand new vacuum bag so each time it got full I emptied the used shells into a plastic tub so will reuse some of it if I come to do the job again. I've still got a load of the newer stuff left too.

[@davidBarrel]

@@darrenfrost919 ;) thanks for replying. I have an eye on the mini , there is a high chance that it will be my next car in the near future

[@Mr_BUSINESS_24_7]

Where do I get the accessories to modify the wand ? Did you do any modifications to the sand blaster ? Is there a brand name of the sand blaster ?

[@chrise202]

How many CFM and at which PSI would you need to operate the walnut spray gun?

[@HowToNation]

Wont the walnuts just burn ? If they go in the cylinders. Obviously not a handful of grains but I’m talking about a few

[@MatthewGlad]

Best presented information on here for the N54! I want to get an 335i after watching your videos!

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

They are the performance car bargain of the century at the moment. Basic mods and a cheap flash tune and you are right up there with current muscle worth 10 times the money of a N54 powered car.

[@MatthewGlad]

@@ZeroTo60Tube In New Zealand locked down so two weeks to read forums and watch every video on KZbin. I see your close to where I go for holidays! Noosa

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Yes, lovely place here, just a lack of race tracks.........

[@MatthewGlad]

@@ZeroTo60Tube I'm used to tuning cars on the back roads would be good to modify ignition and fuel maps this is the only thing the community seems to be missing.

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Well you can with MHD and tunerpro. This might be worth a look to help kill some more of your time. kzbin.info/door/A4o3wDEsF-IM3CIfB5fLUQ He has done a whole series and quite a few vids on tuning the N54s.

[@ronabbott2053]

Really like your vids, especially because when things go wrong (don't they always!) it's in the vid as well, go stuff from you guys. I'm going to do my valves and wondered how did you do a remote starter (button) so that the engine turned over but didn't start. Not quite sure how to do this. Thanks

[@DEX-dm7nt]

I wasn’t comfortable doing the bump start method. I’m under the impression you have to disconnect your fuel injectors first. An ALTERNATIVE METHOD, put a socket on the crankshaft bolt and turn it righty tighty. This manually operates the valves. For my 07 335xi BMW I also changed the oil filter housing gasket so i had intercooler and fan shroud removed. (have a flashlight) you have to turn crankshaft bolt till the first valve is closed. If your not sure keep turning crankshaft until valve begins going down then stop! Now just back it up.

[@tommansfield1368]

Nice work. Where did you get the intake adaptor to vacuum? I can only find them from the US.

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

A mate of mine printed it. However i can't remember where he got it. It appears anyone thats in to 3d printing can find the file pretty easy.

[@gokaygok9599]

Greetings from Turkey. Very useful content, liked & subscribed.

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Thanks for the support and kind words. Do you drive an N54?

[@gokaygok9599]

Zero To 60 Yes, i do own 2008 n54 3.35i with 6 A/T tranny. Got VRSF FBO and Mhd stg 2+ flash. Unlikely, fuel quality in my country is rubbish and with Cad94 setting, i do have 9.2 sec 100-200 km/h with -%2.6 slope

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

That’s a bit of a monster!!! Have you had many problems with it over the time you have owned it?

[@gokaygok9599]

Zero To 60 Not really but i'd like to add additional raceworks coils + upgraded fuel system ( lphp+hpfp ) and WMI kit may be... For further whp gains turbo kit is a must

[@SpareTimeGearHeads]

Is it worth it to try using a coffee bean grinder or blender to shrink the walnut? Good FYI about the walnut. Great video, keep them coming.

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

That cross my mind, when i had the first batch, before i realised they had supplied the wrong walnut. However i would just buy the right grade walnut. Would take ages to grind down that amount with a coffee grinder.

[@igotaction]

You have to use fine shells, coarse shells will clog

[@swagglifee]

I would add this in I had that same issue all I did was have my kid shimmy the tank while I was doing it. it doesn't really get clogged it just packs in certain areas if you have someone shimmy the tank you won't have the problem

[@swagglifee]

Harbor freight has 24 grit 25 lbs for 25 bucks best deal

[@carbievelez8352]

Great tips/advice! 👍 Any specific Air Compressor= Size, HP, PSI to take note of when doing this? What compressor???

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

You can run a low PSI like 60-80psi. Personally the bigger compressor the better. The one used here was quite large. However i have since done it with Ryobis smallest compressor and it worked fine as well.

[@carbievelez8352]

@@ZeroTo60Tube Like a 6 gallon to 8 gallon with under 2.5HP would work???

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

@@carbievelez8352 It would yes, just let the compressor charge up between cylinders. You should only need 30-45 seconds per cylinder, so it doesnt work compressor too hard.

[@klaatubarada6182]

Thanks for the video. I have a question. Will a 8 gallon/ 1.5 hp air compressor do the job?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Yes it will, just give it time to charge up between cylinders and you'll be fine. You only blast each cylinder for 30 seconds when you get the hang of it.

[@klaatubarada6182]

@@ZeroTo60Tube Nice! Thanks for the quick reply. I appreciate your contribution to us the DIY guys 👍

[@gordonlam2757]

looks good, would the dealer perform this service on a regular basis ?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

No its a special request thing with the BMW dealers.

[@DiabloDeezy]

Bro I every time I see one of this guys vids pop up I’m always like “oh god how’d he fuck up his N54 now bruh” 😂

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

I owned one. That’s how “it” fucked up!

[@sdmerkr]

My damn vacuum lost suction and I topped off the cylinder with walnuts before I could see the problem. I also saw some shells on my neighboring cylinders that were taped off. Any possibility some of that walnut went up to the cams? I see there is a vent at the top, plus the 2 valve shafts... :(

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

As long as the valves were closed you wil be able to clean it all out. DO NOT START it if you think there is walnut in the cylinder.

[@sdmerkr]

​@@ZeroTo60Tube Actually, no one points out that the PCV port is OPEN during walnut blasting. The nuts will transfer into the valve cover across the PCV system and into other valves. In my case transferred to an open one, in addition to clogging the valve cover PCV system. A pity the genuine BMW tool doesn't go deep enough to shut off this open port! Unfortunately, no one mentions this!

[@carlos838car]

I have seen antoher video on this from an english lad in Chester, he said if small amouts of walnut get into the PCV it's not that big of a deal, since its organic and non abbrasive it will just burn. Only if loads of it get in, then you have a problem. What is your thought on this?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

It's difficult to say as i think its luck of the draw as whether anything getting in the motor will damage it. I have seen many motocross bikes damage the bore when the air filter comes loose. But then you get sand hill climb cars in dubai that run no air filter while throwing sand up all around the car. I'd say it's unlikely a couple of bits of crushed walnut would damage something. However i would try an avoid it as much as possible.

[@carlos838car]

@@ZeroTo60TubeYea, sand is crushed stone so it wil definately damage your engine, I think thats the reason why BMW came up with walnuts. Anyway I enjoy your videos, I am planning to get this done on my car some time next year after this covid madness ends. Cheers from Ireland!

[@omega1maestro]

Anywhere you would recommend this? For my bmw 530d f11

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

I can't specifically recommend anyone, but its pretty simply, i would recommend calling a few local shops and just see what they are like on the phone about doing the job.

[@Kulpzcustoms]

Hello. Can you also provide a link for the cheap sandblaster ?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Hi There, what country are you based in? I'll try and find the same one that can be shipped to you.

[@Kulpzcustoms]

@@ZeroTo60Tube Australia mate, Perth WA

[@jasonchayer304]

I Do this with a toothbrush ,CRC cleaner and alot of patience 😆

[@ulyssessanchez989]

Where can I find rims like this for my e60

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

These are just ebay replicas.

[@danielshields9808]

What size wheels are those? Do you have a link?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

They were 19s from memory. 666M reps. 19x9.5 i think.

[@philipwest6478]

You need to plug the small ports in the top of each intake port before blasting they go to the valve cover and to the PCV. I had to remove my valve cover and clean it out to get the walnut media out.

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Ohhh shit... that is not something i have heard of happening before. Do you have any idea what caused it on yours? Was your shop vac sucking enough? I had all my ports taped up and when the vac was on, it you could see it sucking on all the intake ports (well pulling the tape inwards). Has anyone else reading this had walnut get up in to the PCV system?

[@stevethompson2566]

Small holes from the intake to the valve cover?????

[@philipwest6478]

@@stevethompson2566 they are in the top of each intake port.

[@philipwest6478]

@@stevethompson2566 they are the same ports that some people plug to go "closed deck" on the N54. Google images of N54 Intake port cleaning they are slightly tear drop shaped in the top of each port.

[@DEX-dm7nt]

Good tip

[@pulsechainpete3808]

How do you know when the valves need cleaning?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

From all the research I’ve done, when the N54 is brand new and it’s started for the first time, just after that moment they need cleaning 🙃😛. On a serious note, you will see build up generally after 10-15000ks and some people will clean them that often. My take if you are running a stock pcv setup it probably something to look at every 50000-75000k’s.

[@KimboDogg07]

If your valves are closed properly you shouldn’t have anything to worry. Are you sure you know what your doing?

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

absolutely not.... haha.

[@calebmadsen1191]

Dang you have a lot of moto tires

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Well since this covid madness, we are down on stock massively, that warehouse should be full to the roof.

[@trackdayjunkie7777]

Yeah I just did the brakeclean method and how I regret it. Spent about 10 hours only cleaning the valves. What a waste of time when this is available

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

If you get all the right equipment and walnut, this should be a relatively quick process and oh my, the walnut cleaned so much better than expected.

[@jimmyandtommy1]

Those wheels are sex. What are they? Are they available in 5x114.3?

[@n54power21]

If you use methanol injection, you don't have to clean anything anymore. Snow performance is optimal 👌

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

Well the plan is port injection. Which is currently being fitted right now...... Hopefully she'll be clean until the end of time.

[@n54power21]

@@ZeroTo60Tube Yes, it cleans 100%, the problem with methanol is gone, the intake is 100% clean. Enjoy watching, do not understand 100%, my English is bad, but still interesting, good luck👍

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

@@n54power21 Thank you very much for watching. Where are you from?

[@n54power21]

@@ZeroTo60Tube I'm from Germany👍

[@ZeroTo60Tube]

@@n54power21 Ahhh awesome!

[@scottnusser6232]

You guys are wigging out over a little walnut dust going on the cylinder. That's the whole reason for using walnuts, the will easily burn up in the cylinder on start up. Relax it won't hurt your engine.

[@samjum6612]

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