[Vector]

My car has 40k miles on it. Dealer highly recommended carbon build-up cleaning, specifically the turbo models. The mileage seems kinds of low, and fuel injector cleanings are usually a scam. Does my car really need this? He quoted $700 for the cleaning.

He suggested that the power steering fluid should be flushed at 3k as well, yet this is not a maintenance item that BMW recommends.

[techwhiz]

I doubt that the injectors on this car need to be cleaned. The pressure that the fuel is under sort of negates the need. Run some techron every so often if you like.

Power steering flush, never done one on any BMW I had unless it leaked out.... YMMV

[SubzeroVR4]

Funny how BMW dealers always trying to sell you on services that are not covered on the maintenance plan.

[fun2drive]

The only reason to do the walnut blasting for the intake valves would be if your car is throwing a code or you have stumbling. Flushing the power steering fluid is an excellent idea. However just removing what is in the reservoir and refilling a couple times will get the job done. If you don't plan to keep the car longer than 2 years then don't bother with either of these.
FI will respond to a bottle of Techron every 10K miles or so. That is basically what BMW relables...

[Vector]

Thanks guys. That is what I figured. I plan on keeping this car fir a 100k miles, so will look into the Techron additive and consider doing the power steering flush myself.

[Artmasterx]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

The only reason to do the walnut blasting for the intake valves would be if your car is throwing a code or you have stumbling. Flushing the power steering fluid is an excellent idea. However just removing what is in the reservoir and refilling a couple times will get the job done. If you don't plan to keep the car longer than 2 years then don't bother with either of these.
FI will respond to a bottle of Techron every 10K miles or so. That is basically what BMW relables...

+1

[fl335i]

I would say no to the injection service and flush the steering fluid myself. I did mine @ 40K IIRC. It needed it. I have a hydraulic suction pump. Did as suggest above. few fills and runs later looks new. Cost me $23 for the can of fluid at NAPA and about 30 minutes of work.

[DJtoad]

Originally Posted by Vector

Thanks guys. That is what I figured. I plan on keeping this car fir a 100k miles, so will look into the Techron additive and consider doing the power steering flush myself.

Just make sure you get the correct power steering fluid (check the cap on the reservoir). It most likely requires CHF 11S and a can costs around $25. I think Napa may carry it but most auto parts stores don't. I ordered it through Amazon.

[ssmith96]

Originally Posted by Vector

My car has 40k miles on it. Dealer highly recommended carbon build-up cleaning, specifically the turbo models. The mileage seems kinds of low, and fuel injector cleanings are usually a scam. Does my car really need this? He quoted $700 for the cleaning.

He suggested that the power steering fluid should be flushed at 3k as well, yet this is not a maintenance item that BMW recommends.

Go buy a bottle of Lubro Moly valve clean and a bottle of Jectron. Works amazing.

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/liqu...Fc1lOgodzhoAuQ

[kfriceman]

Originally Posted by ssmith96

Go buy a bottle of Lubro Moly valve clean and a bottle of Jectron. Works amazing.

http://www.autosportcatalog.com/liqu...Fc1lOgodzhoAuQ

How does a valve cleaning gasoline additive work on a direct injection fuel delivery system?

-Kevin

[ssmith96]

Originally Posted by kfriceman

How does a valve cleaning gasoline additive work on a direct injection fuel delivery system?

-Kevin

I'm sorry I misread the original post, I don't think its for that, either way, they are good products and they definitely helped my car.

[galahad05]

The additive cleans valves, combustion chambers, and injectors (non direct-injection ones at least). So it does have its uses. It just won't do a thing for the back of the intake valves on DI engines, is all.

[norsairius]

Originally Posted by kfriceman

How does a valve cleaning gasoline additive work on a direct injection fuel delivery system?

-Kevin

It won't do anything for the valves, but it might do something for the injectors. As someone else mentioned though, the high pressure alone may negate the need for cleaners. At a minimum, I don't think it would hurt to use it.

Originally Posted by ssmith96

I'm sorry I misread the original post, I don't think its for that, either way, they are good products and they definitely helped my car.

It should help your car since the N52 still uses port injection, so the fuel and any cleaners you add to the gas tank, will still wash over the valves. So we don't need to worry as much about carbon build up compared to those with direct injection engines.

I wouldn't say you need to use that kind of cleaner with every fill-up though (not saying you do, but the product page is trying to sell it that way), that's just overkill and would negate any savings via increased gas mileage. Gas these days has so many additives and cleaners in them anyway. I'm not expert, but I like to use the stuff maybe once every 5k miles, if that even. It's usually just a "do I feel like making the trip to buy this and put it in my gas tank" kind of thing. I might try the stuff you linked to though, looks different from anything I've tried, so thanks!

[07lilredwagon]

One note, guys....the power steering reservoir has an internal filter that cannot be changed. So if doing a flush, consider changing that reservoir...(Bav Auto has a good DIY on you tube)

Did mine with the reservoir change in about an hour.

JP

[Bimmertech113]

I've never seen the point in flushing your power steering if you have 11s. The ATF doesn't seem to hold up as well. The turbo engines do need carbon cleaning and I haven't seen any additive that makes a difference with it. I live in the Nashville area and free for advise if you just email or pm me.

[BillionPa]

"carbon build-up cleaning" is not injector cleaning, it is the intake manifold

$700 is way overpriced, $350 max

Jectron is awesome.