E46 M3 - Throttles and ICV Cleaning a Must Do!!!

[Peejay]

Nice work. Is it safe to start the car with all the vacuum hoses, maf, and intake temp sensor disconnected?

I did this on my e36, still have the scar's to prove it...

Did u also have those terrible bmw clamps at the bottom of the intake to deal with?

its not a difficult job at all, just very time consuming, may I ask what product u used to do the actual cleaning?

Recent striped my intake. It's a bitch. Especially the pipes ans screws underneath the plenum.

 

[Spiro]

Nice work. Is it safe to start the car with all the vacuum hoses, maf, and intake temp sensor disconnected?


Howzit... nope to that... everything has to be connected preferably, on a friends SMG Model, the ICV was not connected, the car refused to even swing.... rather not take the chance....

I did this on my e36, still have the scar's to prove it...

Did u also have those terrible bmw clamps at the bottom of the intake to deal with?

its not a difficult job at all, just very time consuming, may I ask what product u used to do the actual cleaning?

Recent striped my intake. It's a bitch. Especially the pipes ans screws underneath the plenum.

 

[ChrisBrand]

I should do this too. Thanks for the bump and OP :thumbs:

 

[Spiro]

I should do this too. Thanks for the bump and OP :thumbs:

Hi Chris


I did the throttle and ICV on my 320' 2004 model.... and a friends 330i 2004 model....


makes a very major difference as well...

 

[Lunatik]

Awesome post dude....

I've been meaning to do this on my car but didn't know how to do it or what products to use....

good thing you posted this or i would have probably used carb cleaner:flyfun:

 

[Peejay]

Plus one. Please describe how to clean the inside of the throttle bodies without starting the car?

 

[Spiro]

Plus one. Please describe how to clean the inside of the throttle bodies without starting the car?

howzit Heven


I used the long straw type nozzle to soak the throttles, then used an old toothbrush to lightly loosen the dirt, make sure you put masking tape on your fingers and a set of gloves, the throttle butterflies are sharp, and there after use the cloth and soak in throttle cleaner, wipe of access, cleaner will fall into the lower section of the throttle, that will burn off when the car is started...

 

[Peejay]

Thanks for the tips.

I think I'm also going to try this.

Does a lot of dirt and grim get into the combustion chambers? Or did you use a vacuum cleaner?

 

[Spiro]

Thanks for the tips.

I think I'm also going to try this.

Does a lot of dirt and grim get into the combustion chambers? Or did you use a vacuum cleaner?

no problem... the dirt that flows away with the throttle cleaner will burn off in about 2~3 mins while idling.... just make sure you do not drop anything into the throttle, in terms of like pieces of cloth, bolts, washers.... that kind of stuff...

throttle cleaner and the dirt that flows down with it is fine, as the fuel jet above will send it on it's way...

 

[MKVally]

Spiro did my car
was a noticeable difference in throttle response.

 

[20vee]

Thank you for the good info!!!!
A must do for our ///M's

 

[Peejay]

I recently cleaned my throttles on my e36 M. The difference is WOW!

Used just throttle bottle cleaner. Took 2 aerosol cans. Didn't need the tooth brush as the spray did all the work. Unfortunately I don't have any pics.

After assembling everything the car didn't start. I went into panic mode but after a few turns on the key it started. :thumbs:

 

[Spiro]

I recently cleaned my throttles on my e36 M. The difference is WOW!

Used just throttle bottle cleaner. Took 2 aerosol cans. Didn't need the tooth brush as the spray did all the work. Unfortunately I don't have any pics.

After assembling everything the car didn't start. I went into panic mode but after a few turns on the key it started. :thumbs:

Good Stuff bru... did you take a whack at the ICV as well ?

:thumbs::thumbs:

 

[Peejay]

No. I didn't. I wanted to initially but all the cleaner got finished on the throttles. I did however do the OCV and replaced a breather pipe as it was crumbling. Got one more to change but that's right at the top

 

[131GAV]

AHHH... Good to know... Just sent mine in to BMW... They replaced the ICV and also do the air flow meter sensor i think... Having troubles with my idle sometimes..... Car cuts out when the clutch is depressed sometimes.....

Hope that solves it....:thumbs:

 

[Daaf Vader]

At what km intervals should this be done?
Keen to try this as well, thanks for the post.