Intake manifold cleaning.

[SHOBiz]

Im going to do an IM clean for the first time and i have a few questions.
Does anybody know wether the gaskets will have to be replaced or can they be reused? Are they prone to breaking when you take it apart? When cleaning the intake is it good practice to replace the gaskets?
What do you think of STP Throttlebody and Airintake cleaner?
Is there anything else worth doing in there while I have the manifold off?

Mark

 

[BlackOnBlackATX]

if youre careful the gaskets can be reused, but are not horribly expensive in case you make a boo-boo. but as far as i know they are pretty tough to destroy.

alot of people recommend the B-12 chemtool over the throttle body cleaner. i used the STP cleaner when i did mine, but this Berrymans B12 is supposed to be good stuff, so if you can find it i recommend it.

if you need to do the plugs you might as well do it if you have the manifold off, you gotta have it off anyway and it just makes life easier i suppose (although many people can do it with it on, but not me wink )

if youre going to have it off and clean the throttle body, make sure you decarbon the EGR ports (there is a procedure on shotimes.com) this way you wont have to do it down the line, although you may have already included this idea in your cleaning agenda.

i *highly* recommend since you live in NM to bypass your throttle body coolant line (there are a ton of posts on how to do this, no special tools needed, just a pair of pliars). this will keep your incoming air cooler, also you may as well bypass the PCV system to keep the intake clean after you put it back on. this only costs $4-$5 for a tiny fuel filter or more if you want a real catch can.

before you start though drain about a gallon of coolant out of the radiator and you wont spill anything when you take the throttle body off. and if you need to change your thermostat you may as well do that too since its easier to get your hands in there when the manifold is off.

take a wire brush and scrub the connections that the crossover tube bolts to since your DIS is grounded here. bad grounds cause alot of problems, this happened to me.

it may seem to take forever the first time to have it off, but when you do it again, it will go quickly. i can have mine off in 15 minutes. taking pictures with a digicam as you go is a good idea too if you dont think you can remember where all the hoses, connections go.

i know its long but i wish i knew then what i know now

<small>[ January 13, 2003, 05:10 PM: Message edited by: BlackOnBlackATX ]</small>

 

[Nook]

Personally, I recomemnd taking the whole intake with TB down to the coin op car wash, and just power sprayin it clean. Ive done it on a half dozen intakes, costs $1.50 and doesn't require all those extra chemicals. Works just as good as the chemical cleaners too. With the intake off, teh secondaries are open, so just stick the sprayer in there and go. Shake all the water out and let it drip dry on the way home.

N

 

[Dr.Evil]

if you really want it clean, you can take it apart and get all of the metal pieces diped at your local machine shop. will cost about 20 bucks I would guess...and it cleans the outside too!
I just used chemtool on mine, took about 8 cans. The carwash idea sounds good too. Try using the "engine cleaner" setting.

 

[revhardSHO]

Personally, I recomemnd taking the whole intake with TB down to the coin op car wash, and just power sprayin it clean. Ive done it on a half dozen intakes, costs $1.50 and doesn't require all those extra chemicals. Works just as good as the chemical cleaners too. With the intake off, teh secondaries are open, so just stick the sprayer in there and go. Shake all the water out and let it drip dry on the way home.

Nook,
That sounds like a good idea. I think i'll do that sometime soon. I do have afew questions thow. Will the pressure washer take off the finish? You say the secondaries are open when the intake is off? I thought they were, by default, closed? Can i clean the butterfly valves and the secondary soliniod? Should i use it with the soap on then rinse? Thanks...

silas