Walnut blasting near Chicago (results!)

petegtsv10 · 08-23-2015, 09:40 PM

Took my wife's 135i into a shop in the NW burbs of Chicago for walnut/carbon blasting. Before the cleaning, the car was sluggish and ran rough. After the blast, it was super smooth and responsive!! Felt like we gained 50 hp back. (like it was when it was new) Total cost was $300 and they treated both me and the car very well. Highly recommended, but don't want to break Forum rules by advertising non-sponsors, so if you want their website info, email me at petegtsv10@yahoo.com

2PUTT · 08-23-2015, 11:32 PM

That's a very good price. They charge about $500 around me.

Tuxedo · 08-25-2015, 07:52 AM

how many miles on the e88?

IEDEI · 08-25-2015, 08:14 AM

good price indeed. i paid $675 at my BMW dealer.

lakefront · 08-25-2015, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuxedo

how many miles on the e88?

Wondering this too. Always heard the N55 didn't need walnut blasting as often.....

rps · 08-25-2015, 02:55 PM

I had my former 135i walnut blasted. The result was a $16,000 new engine after #5 piston exploded. All but $50.00 was covered under warranty but I traded the car within a week of picking it up.

champignon · 08-26-2015, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rps

I had my former 135i walnut blasted. The result was a $16,000 new engine after #5 piston exploded. All but $50.00 was covered under warranty but I traded the car within a week of picking it up.

Sounds like the law of unintended consequences at work. I had never even heard of walnut blasting before it was posted on here in a different thread a few weeks ago.

Again, I am not commenting on this specific thing, about which I know next to zero. However I do know a lot about enthusiast internet forums, with all sorts of things that are recommended by self-appointed experts of one sort or another who live and post a lot on internet forums.

You have to be careful, extremely careful, about following recommendations for things to be done of a technical nature on forums, especially if these recommendations are for having things done to your car, that you do not personally understand. Caveat Emptor.

Esteban · 08-26-2015, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champignon

Sounds like the law of unintended consequences at work. I had never even heard of walnut blasting before it was posted on here in a different thread a few weeks ago.

Again, I am not commenting on this specific thing, about which I know next to zero. However I do know a lot about enthusiast internet forums, with all sorts of things that are recommended by self-appointed experts of one sort or another who live and post a lot on internet forums.

You have to be careful, extremely careful, about following recommendations for things to be done of a technical nature on forums, especially if these recommendations are for having things done to your car, that you do not personally understand. Caveat Emptor.

Sounds like good advice to me.

inFamousKicks · 08-26-2015, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rps

I had my former 135i walnut blasted. The result was a $16,000 new engine after #5 piston exploded. All but $50.00 was covered under warranty but I traded the car within a week of picking it up.

And this was determined to be caused by the walnut blasting?

Genuinely curious.

Silenus · 08-29-2015, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inFamousKicks

And this was determined to be caused by the walnut blasting?

Genuinely curious.

Sounds like the tech left an intake valve open and filled the cylinder with shells. Those don't compress too well!

The N55 will not need a walnut blasting until it is up there in mileage (75k). I've seen several valves at 40-50k, they have some build up but definitely do not require a walnut blasting. Night and day from the N54.

champignon · 08-29-2015, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silenus

Sounds like the tech left an intake valve open and filled the cylinder with shells. Those don't compress too well!

The N55 will not need a walnut blasting until it is up there in mileage (75k). I've seen several valves at 40-50k, they have some build up but definitely do not require a walnut blasting. Night and day from the N54.

With the 1M being a modified N54, where would you place it along this continuum?

PA135i · 08-29-2015, 06:45 PM

I now have 95K on my car and just had my second walnut blast. My Indy shop charged $500 and the car ran smoother idled better. Had the plugs done same time. I use Top tier gas now and was told that will help with the carbon build up. FYI been averaging 19.7 mpg since then, but no school last couple months so less traffic.

Silenus · 08-29-2015, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by champignon

With the 1M being a modified N54, where would you place it along this continuum?

The carbon build up is similar to any other N54.

Esteban · 08-29-2015, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silenus

The N55 will not need a walnut blasting until it is up there in mileage (75k). I've seen several valves at 40-50k, they have some build up but definitely do not require a walnut blasting. Night and day from the N54.

Nice to know about the N55. Thanks for the info.

08-23-2015, 09:40 PM	#1
petegtsv10 Private First Class 75 Rep 148 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i convertible Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Adams, TN iTrader: (0)	Walnut blasting near Chicago (results!) Took my wife's 135i into a shop in the NW burbs of Chicago for walnut/carbon blasting. Before the cleaning, the car was sluggish and ran rough. After the blast, it was super smooth and responsive!! Felt like we gained 50 hp back. (like it was when it was new) Total cost was $300 and they treated both me and the car very well. Highly recommended, but don't want to break Forum rules by advertising non-sponsors, so if you want their website info, email me at petegtsv10@yahoo.com __________________ 2016 M235i convertible 2016 Mercedes AMG GTS 1966 Corvette roadster
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

08-23-2015, 11:32 PM	#2
2PUTT Captain 513 Rep 943 Posts Drives: F87 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Ubiquitous iTrader: (5)	That's a very good price. They charge about $500 around me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-25-2015, 07:52 AM	#3
Tuxedo Bowties r cool ▶:◀ 1409 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 09' 128i MT e88, 24'G05 X5 50e Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 128i e88 [0.00]	how many miles on the e88?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-25-2015, 08:14 AM	#4
IEDEI Banned 1130 Rep 4,686 Posts Drives: L'Orange Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Brooklyn, NYC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 1M [8.40]	good price indeed. i paid $675 at my BMW dealer.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-25-2015, 02:55 PM	#6
rps Captain 35 Rep 609 Posts Drives: 2013 X1 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pace, Fl iTrader: (11)	I had my former 135i walnut blasted. The result was a $16,000 new engine after #5 piston exploded. All but $50.00 was covered under warranty but I traded the car within a week of picking it up. __________________ NB8S Past Garage: Z4, 135i. Present Garage: 2013 X Drive X1 2.8i.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-29-2015, 06:45 PM	#12
PA135i Brigadier General 968 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	I now have 95K on my car and just had my second walnut blast. My Indy shop charged $500 and the car ran smoother idled better. Had the plugs done same time. I use Top tier gas now and was told that will help with the carbon build up. FYI been averaging 19.7 mpg since then, but no school last couple months so less traffic. __________________ Sparkling Graphite Metallic / 6MT / Terracotta Boston Leather / Sport Package / Comfort Access system / Gray Poplar wood trim / Heated front seats / iPod and USB adapter / HD radio / Premium hi-fi system / OE Tuning / VRSF Intercooler & charge pipe / BMW Performance short shift kit / BMW M Performance Handbrake Handle / BMW Stainless steel pedals / V1 hardwired / rear sun shades *Pennsylvania 20 electoral votes*
	Appreciate 0 Quote