Carbon build up????

[JSILVER135I]

Theres 75000 kms on my 135 and I took it to the dealer yesterday complaining of the engine chugging or feeling like a misfire when I'm under hard acceleration usually above 3500 rpm! So the dealer calls me today and says that the mechanic "thinks" that it might be carbon build up! The car is due for spark plugs and an oil change so there doing that at no cost to me under the maintance program but he said that the carbon cleaning isn't covered and it's 5hrs labour at $135/hr! I told him there's no way I'm paying that cause it should be covered! Do you guys think it cud be carbon? I find it hard to believe considering I don't baby the car and I just got back from nova scotia and that was a 5000km highway drive! What are your thoughts? I'm picking my car up today at 5pm

[Bimmer-Bob]

Yes, it could be carbon build-up. Apparently it's common in some (if not all) DI engines, and it has come up several times on these boards. Are you still under the original warranty? Because it should definitely be covered.

[foghat]

Carbon build up isn't covered under warranty unless they a can attribute the build up to be tripping a light - at least so I've read here.

This has been covered in fair detail. As mentioned above, not an issue specific to bmw but to Direct Injection engines (apparently some of the audi guys have to do this yearly to keep things running fine). While not noted in an sort of maintenance schedule, it really is a maintenance type problem - as hard as that is to swallow.

And, yes, your symptoms are what others with carbon build up issues have been experience. With the amount of mileage you have, probably a fairly good chance this is the problem.

[Bimmer-Bob]

I'm pretty sure other members have had it covered under warranty before. But if BMW wants to call it "maintenance," they should still cover it under the maintenance plan. It may not be "scheduled maintenance," but there's really no such thing with BMW anymore. It's all CBS.

[foghat]

The other members who I've read about it being covered are the ones who had a 'check engine light' tripped because of it.

That was me calling it a maintenance issue (which really it is), not BMW - so what their official stance is on it - I don't know (well I guess we do know, since they do not cover it...). Plus, in Canada we still have to pay for some maintenance when under warranty, brake pads/rotors, for example.

[Faulal]

Is it worth it to put BG 44k in your fuel a few times a year?

[TheSt|G]

Won't do anything. The problem is an inherent flaw with direct injection engines, not something that is missing from the fuel.

[foghat]

Inherent yes. Flaw, I don't know. Engine is working as it should, doing what it should. I'd call it more of a side effect. Potato patado, I guess.

This is an interesting post. No idea how true the egr part is, but if it is, wonder what that would mean on our cars.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post6919378

[drewh130]

i just had the carbon cleaned out under CPO warranty....

[Dackelone]

JSilver... I would see how your car drives with new spark plugs. I would bet that is most of your problem. I would also take a look at your air filter for dirt and clean out the airbox bc a lot of sand and small rocks can get up in there.

[Dmacc]

Carbon build up happens fast (another member on e90post only has 36k miles and he's gunked up pretty badly).

I'm only at 26,500, but I've been tuned the whole time, and I'm dealing with a misfire issue right now with the dealer. The thought of carbon build up has crossed my mind, but 26k miles is low for build up no?

[foghat]

Originally Posted by drewh130

i just had the carbon cleaned out under CPO warranty....

They just did it? Not throwing any lights/codes? If so, good for you.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Dmacc

Carbon build up happens fast (another member on e90post only has 36k miles and he's gunked up pretty badly).

I'm only at 26,500, but I've been tuned the whole time, and I'm dealing with a misfire issue right now with the dealer. The thought of carbon build up has crossed my mind, but 26k miles is low for build up no?

You are due for new spark plugs. Only use BMW plugs and report back. The plugs are good for 45K miles stock and about half that for a tuned car. Your are due. Of course it could also be a bad coil pack... but start with new plugs first.

[Dmacc]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

You are due for new spark plugs. Only use BMW plugs and report back. The plugs are good for 45K miles stock and about half that for a tuned car. Your are due. Of course it could also be a bad coil pack... but start with new plugs first.

Thanks for the help I'll report back once the issue has been solved!

[SixBanger]

Mine was really bad. About a month ago I brought mine in to have them add the additive to the fuel lines to get rid of the carbon (paid $200). I didnt feel a difference after that. A month later, I still had the issue and brough it back in. They called me up and they said they took the head off my engine and sprayed it with walnut shells. WOW! What a difference. WIth my PPK1 and this done it felt like the day I took delivery of my car.

Heres a link to my thread:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=665560

[stevenc]

Just had mine done @ 45,000 miles

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by stevenc

Just had mine done @ 45,000 miles

What kind of fuel(s) do you use... and how often do you change your oil(and what type do you use)? Just curious.

[JSILVER135I]

Well thanks for all the info guys! Dealer said there not gonna cover it but as I was pulling my car out of the shop it threw a code for the adaptive headlights! So the service manager felt bad and said since he has to take the whole front end of my car apart to fix headlight motor under warranty than he will take the intake manifold off and walnut blast it and will only charge me a couple hundred bucks! Not to bad I guess! They changed the plugs today and did an oil change and the car still feels the same! I may take it for a nice spirited highway drive tonite and give it in a low gear to keep the rpm's higher than 3500 and seem if that helps! If not than ill have to do it!
Thanks again guys

[1911A145]

Originally Posted by SixBanger

Mine was really bad. About a month ago I brought mine in to have them add the additive to the fuel lines to get rid of the carbon (paid $200). I didnt feel a difference after that. A month later, I still had the issue and brough it back in. They called me up and they said they took the head off my engine and sprayed it with walnut shells. WOW! What a difference. WIth my PPK1 and this done it felt like the day I took delivery of my car.

Heres a link to my thread:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=665560

What a waste that was.. I cant believe they even sold that to you because of the DI.

[stevenc]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

What kind of fuel(s) do you use... and how often do you change your oil(and what type do you use)? Just curious.

Shell 93 and 6000 mile oil change interval with bmw castrol.

[stevenc]

Originally Posted by SixBanger

Mine was really bad. About a month ago I brought mine in to have them add the additive to the fuel lines to get rid of the carbon (paid $200). I didnt feel a difference after that. A month later, I still had the issue and brough it back in. They called me up and they said they took the head off my engine and sprayed it with walnut shells. WOW! What a difference. WIth my PPK1 and this done it felt like the day I took delivery of my car.

Heres a link to my thread:
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=665560

Since we are direct injected fuel additives never come in contact with the valves. The dealer really screwed you with that fuel additive.

[sluflyer06]

Originally Posted by JSILVER135I

Well thanks for all the info guys! Dealer said there not gonna cover it but as I was pulling my car out of the shop it threw a code for the adaptive headlights! So the service manager felt bad and said since he has to take the whole front end of my car apart to fix headlight motor under warranty than he will take the intake manifold off and walnut blast it and will only charge me a couple hundred bucks! Not to bad I guess! They changed the plugs today and did an oil change and the car still feels the same! I may take it for a nice spirited highway drive tonite and give it in a low gear to keep the rpm's higher than 3500 and seem if that helps! If not than ill have to do it!
Thanks again guys

Any updates?