Plugging head ports
- Thread starter ShocknAwe
- Start date
Rob09msport
Major
Extreme upgrade to reliability and cleaner valves. Honestly when you have problems it one less thing to check.
ShocknAwe
Captain
I've read cleaner valves. Anyone seen how many miles it lengthens the valve cleaning cycle by?
How does it prove reliability? Prevent pcv system overpressure?
matreyia
Major
I just changed out my plugs and they were almost brand new looking after port injection, e85 and plugged ports... they NEVER look that clean over this amount of time. This is since Xmas. RB OCC low side catches MUCH MORE fluids than BMS High side can ever did in same amount of time. But BMS high side can still works as intended and also needs tending to when cleaning OCC on maintenance intervals. I check every 4 tanks of fuel and there is enough to empty the low side can. high side can gets little fluid around 12 tanks of fuel.
it would be awesome if you got some solid replies with a fair bit of miles under their belt. Frankly it have to be between 20 to 40,000 miles for any kind of real feedback. The reason I suspect it's unlikely that you'll get that feedback is the external PCV system for the low side has not been around for long, and that is the big culprit to making everything dirty.
It's not a particularly expensive undertaking. I just did it and logic was more than sufficient for the cost for me. Good luck and I hope you got some solid feedback!
Filippo
ShocknAwe
Captain
What setup did you go for Filippo? I have the RB replacement valve in my workbench, but haven't accumulated any other parts as of yet.
Rob09msport
Major
Don't have to worry about cracked valve cover or leaking gasket
hellokitty
Specialist
Sorry I’m a noob but how does plugging the ports help? Just curious since my valve cover has begun to leak and I’ve been meaning to do this upgrade with the low side catch can while in there to replace the valve cover.
https://bmw.spoolstreet.com/threads/low-side-pcv-installation-e89-z4.4801/
Sorry it is a photo heavy thread. Give it thirty seconds to load, then scroll.
Filippo
Sorry it is a photo heavy thread. Give it thirty seconds to load, then scroll.
Filippo
The Convert
Captain
Plugging the ports won’t prevent loss of vacuum issues from having a cracked VC. Not even sure how it would prevent cracking a VC since you’re never going to build enough pressure to crack one from over pressurizing your crack case. You’d have other damage first. The VC usually ends up cracking due to heat cycles.
Externalizing the low side does have benefits that others have mentioned above though.
I don't think he was relating the cracking to the VC plug, though maybe @hellokitty can clarify. The reason to plug the ports seems pretty obvious, in concert with externalizing the PCV low side and running the external catch.
I suspect a lot of the misfire, correction stuff on tuned up motors is suffering from all of that oil/buildup/etc ... can't prove it but nothing good comes from it.
I did mine at the same time as walnut blast. Unfortunately my car will not see significant mileage so I won't be helpful in bearing this out any time soon. But other folks will, I hope!
Filippo
I suspect a lot of the misfire, correction stuff on tuned up motors is suffering from all of that oil/buildup/etc ... can't prove it but nothing good comes from it.
I did mine at the same time as walnut blast. Unfortunately my car will not see significant mileage so I won't be helpful in bearing this out any time soon. But other folks will, I hope!
Filippo
Last edited:
doublespaces
Administrator
I just did this finally.
Used these #10-32 plugs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DS7PXH7/
Went really well with the Tap Magic cutting fluid: https://www.amazon.com/Forney-20857-Magic-Industrial-Cutting/dp/B003X3ZKXI/
I taped the handle on so it wouldn't slip out and fall into the engine:
I didn't bother closing the valves. Stuffed both holes with paper towels:
Made an aluminum foil female condom:
Smooshed some more foil around the cutting surface to catch any debris and the plug in the event I dropped one like this guy:
Only takes 1-2 minutes per hole once you figure it out:
Plug installed:
After cutting I vacuumed the top surface, pulled out the aluminum foil, vacuumed the the head port from the bottom, then looked through the hole to make sure there weren't any burs. Applied some non-permanent thread locker and install plug.
Rinse repeat.
Used these #10-32 plugs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DS7PXH7/
Went really well with the Tap Magic cutting fluid: https://www.amazon.com/Forney-20857-Magic-Industrial-Cutting/dp/B003X3ZKXI/
I taped the handle on so it wouldn't slip out and fall into the engine:
I didn't bother closing the valves. Stuffed both holes with paper towels:
Made an aluminum foil female condom:
Smooshed some more foil around the cutting surface to catch any debris and the plug in the event I dropped one like this guy:
Only takes 1-2 minutes per hole once you figure it out:
Plug installed:
After cutting I vacuumed the top surface, pulled out the aluminum foil, vacuumed the the head port from the bottom, then looked through the hole to make sure there weren't any burs. Applied some non-permanent thread locker and install plug.
Rinse repeat.
chadillac2000
Corporal
I bought my car with around 50K miles on it and immediately put in the RB low side + BMS high side OCC setup. As a daily driver, I was constantly emptying the low side catch can and in the colder months in the Carolinas the can would catch a mess of frothy oil/moisture. Plus, when I took the intake manifold off about 20,000 miles into using the catch cans, the valves were already gunked up anyways.
After going single turbo + PI + doing a walnut blast at around 100,000 miles, I ditched the low side setup and vented the BMS high side can to a long heater hose that extends all the way back to the differential. I've put around 60,000 miles on the car since going ST and haven't taken the intake manifold off in a while, but I bet they'll be caked up regardless. I doubt the PI has prevented any build up at all.
I am keeping my eye on these new valve cover + OCC setups as they are getting progressively more attractive, but I'm content with only running a high side for daily driving purposes.
After going single turbo + PI + doing a walnut blast at around 100,000 miles, I ditched the low side setup and vented the BMS high side can to a long heater hose that extends all the way back to the differential. I've put around 60,000 miles on the car since going ST and haven't taken the intake manifold off in a while, but I bet they'll be caked up regardless. I doubt the PI has prevented any build up at all.
I am keeping my eye on these new valve cover + OCC setups as they are getting progressively more attractive, but I'm content with only running a high side for daily driving purposes.
matreyia
Major
And you would lose that bet in the most extreme way imaginable. You have super clean intake valves, EXCEPT for the areas where the port injector did not touch.
chadillac2000
Corporal
My post was confusing -- I didn't mean that the port injection was not going to significantly help the buildup, I just meant that it might not 100% keep the intake valves clean, but your video is impressive.
I've had my port injection setup on the car for over 2 years and over 60,000 miles on my daily driver. It sees WOT conditions a few times a week, but mostly just highway miles, so I'd be interested to see what my buildup looks like in comparison to yours after just 4 months.
matreyia
Major
After a year, I upgraded the intake manifold and saw the ports were even cleaner than in the video.
@doublespaces thanks for your informative post in this thread. Are you able to share where you purchased your 10-32 tap drill t handle combo in this picture?
Attachments
doublespaces
Administrator
It was part of a box kit of some kind. If you don't have easy access to vacuum the newly tapped port, a straw cleaner would probably do the trick. The bigger of a top cover you use the better, there's lots of places for oopsie.
Last edited:
Look for tap adaptors ... some times they come in a socket set. This would be an adjustable one: https://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-3095001B-Adjustable-Socket-Large/dp/B0040UBBL8/
I have chucked straight into a drill before.
Filippo
