Love my new 2010 135i. It has the M-Sport Package and is a 6 speed manual. The power feels like the old '68 Ford 302 Boss Mustang, I remember rumbling around in, great grunt, big smiles! I think I will want to keep this car running well for a long, long time. I read about problems with Direct Injection and gunk buildup on the valves, caused by the PCV system dumping crankcase fumes onto the valves. Normally I would use Shell V Power and some injector cleaner and be pretty certain that I was treating the buildup issue. With Direct Injection, dumping the fuel and fuel additives don't get to the valves, right? How do we keep these engines clean and strong?
Fuel additives like BMW approved Techron will clean the combustion chamber area. Don't get caught up in the Seafoam or other uncool clean my valves every month affliction. If after 30K-50K miles you really feel the need to clean your engine valves of some possible carbon build-up that might or might not be there, have your authorized BMW dealer use an approved cleaning system so you don't damage a perfectly good engine based on Internet lore and an abundance of Net technical ignorance. The small difference in performance from carbon build-up on the valves could never be felt except at max engine rpm where the airflow might be slightly restricted, so over-cleaning of the valves is not a good habit to participate in.
Glad to hear the dealer has an approved methodology for performing this maintenance. I will certainly take advantage of whatever they offer. Since this motor has been out there for awhile I expect lots of folks have reached the 30 - 50K milage mark. Does anyone have information about how to get the dealer to perform the work and how much it will cost?
