Intake problem? Help!

[SHOtimer]

So, this morning I took of the connection tube on the intake, the piece that goes over the timing belt cover. First time I have ever done this, or seen inside the intake. Here is my problem: The inside is dark and damp, not puddles but wet, and it smells of gas. It is not perfectly clean, but not excessively dirty. I am worried about the wetness and the gas smell...is this normal ..Please help, I am worried.
Doug

 

[projectSHO89]

Yeah, that's pretty normal.

They get nasty after a couple of years.

Berryman's B-12 will clean it right up. Prepare for a mess.

Steve

 

[rangerj]

Shoman,

The wet looking black build up is normal. You my want to consider removing the intake and cleaning it out with carb and injector cleaner.

Berrymans is great, but expensive. I would save the Berrymans for the tank. It does a great job of cleaning the fuel system, including the combustion chamber and injectors.

For cleaning the intake you can use the less expensive carb and injector cleaners.

If you are going to do this you will have to remove the intake manifold, which is not difficult. Get a gasket set for the surface where the manifold bolts to the heads, or the gaskets can be reused if the black coating is not chipped away or broken.

It would be wise to clean the secondaries and their tubes. There is a gasket between the tubes and the plennum, and a gasket between the tubes and the intake tubes. These should also be replaced.

A good set of gaskets should also contain the gaskets for the water box behind the throttle body. The throttle body gasket can be reused if it is in good condition.

A bottle brush, or something like it, works well for cleaning the gunk out of the intake tubes.

The intake ports in the heads can be cleaned with a rag soaked in carb cleaner and your fingers. Cover these ports with masking tape anytime you're not working on one. Only uncover the one you are working on. You do not want anything to drop into one of these ports. Keep them covered until you are ready to put the intake back on.

This would be a good time to check any water or vacuum hoses in the area of the intake. Check the spark plug wells for oil, and check the valve covers for any signs of oil leaks. Replace hoses and/or gaskets as necessary.

This is an easy "nuts and bolts" job. The only "special tool" you will need is a torque wrench. Give it a try, rangerj

 

[SHOtimer]

Thanx you guys very much I was worried for a while. Man, I love this place!
Doug

 

[SHOZ123]

Berrymans is great, but expensive.

CRC has a Non-Clorinated brake cleaner that is identical to Berrymans spray. It comes in a green can and is on sale around me for ~$1.25 a can, <$2.00 at full price.

 

[Blast7]

I've had such a good experience with Berrryman's B12 that I will not use anything else.

 

[SHOZ123]

I've had such a good experience with Berrryman's B12 that I will not use anything else.

I've had such good results with the CRC Non-Clorinated brake cleaner I won't spend twice as much to find out if Berryman's is better. wink

 

[shojuan]

SHOtimer:
So, this morning I took of the connection tube on the intake, the piece that goes over the timing belt cover. First time I have ever done this, or seen inside the intake. Here is my problem: The inside is dark and damp, not puddles but wet, and it smells of gas. It is not perfectly clean, but not excessively dirty. I am worried about the wetness and the gas smell...is this normal ..Please help, I am worried.
Doug

It's totally normal. The only way to get it all out is to remove the entire intake and have at it with a bunch of B12. I think Kragens has the best price for B12 in the area. I know that they're actually cheaper than walmart for it. SHOZ123, the CRC non-chlorinated brake cleaner is more expensive than B12 in our area. Thanks for the insight, though!

FWIW I used about 18 cans of B12 to clean the 150K miles of buildup on my intake. That might be a record. Start out having 12 cans on hand and see how that gets you. having some kind of pipe cleaner brush will help a lot too. Make sure the bristles don't fall off the brush.

Sorry you missed yesterday's dyno day up in Fremont. A good time was had by all, including the people who didn't dyno their SHOs.

Rick

 

[Blast7]

SHOZ123:

I've had such a good experience with Berrryman's B12 that I will not use anything else.

I've had such good results with the CRC Non-Clorinated brake cleaner I won't spend twice as much to find out if Berryman's is better. wink

I'll have to check the price on the CRC Non-Chlorinated brake cleaner. If it's cheaper then I think I'll give it a try.