intake manifold cleaning??
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: intake manifold cleaning?? (95-383)
Autozone and parts stores sell a big one gallon can of carb and parts cleaner.I forget the name but it works very good.The intake is obviously too big to dip it in the can so you can set the intake up in a big tank and pour some in and let it soak through.
Its still alot of work but has done the job best for me so far.Some small scrbbing brushes will speed up the cleaning.
However, Ive done it the easy way many times...I took my intakes to the machine shop and they boiled and hot tanked it, or steamed it, whatever they call it and it gets every trace of gunk off.They use this to clean their blocks and intakes and heads etc.
I could never get it this clean at home.
Cost about 15 bucks or 20, depending on the shop.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,946
Likes: 63
From: Marianna FL
Re: intake manifold cleaning?? (95-383)
I've used Castrol Superclean and it works great. Don't leave it on too long though because it will eat into the aluminum. I diluted some and let an intake soak in it one time and it left marks at the line of where it was sitting that wouldn't come off. Just spraying it on and brushing/hosing it off works great though. Just don't soak. 
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Re: intake manifold cleaning?? (95-383)
Thanks, I'll give it a try. If it takes too much time though I might just go to the machine shop and have them clean it.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,946
Likes: 63
From: Marianna FL
Re: intake manifold cleaning?? (LouisBarton)
Absolutely go the machine shop route. Your time is worth more than $15 for the 3 hours or more you'd spend with the cleaner,,you STILL wouldn't get as clean as the hot tank....the tank is designed to be safe for aluminum...it's their dollar if they ruin your parts...you'll smell like cleaner for several days--try explaining that one to your lady. :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Lafayette LA
Re: intake manifold cleaning?? (Mr Dave)
I thought there was a coating on the aluminum that hepled delay the carbon buildup. If you use carb cleaner, it will remove the coating.
There are TB cleaners that work good and don't remove the coating.
I could be wrong.
There are TB cleaners that work good and don't remove the coating.
I could be wrong.
