Topic: cleaning the intake runners

[jramey]

So this may sound dumb but I want your guys opinion. So a little while back I changed my int/ext gasket and noticed some lovely buildup in my intake runners. So here's the question, I'm considering cleaning them out with a small wire brush as clean as I can get them, then blowing ithem out to get the debris out after the cleaning. I plan on doing this with the head still attached. Is that just a completely bad idea? I understand the importance of being sure to leave NO debris inside the runners.

[Torch_Ind]

there is intake cleaners available as well I really like the GM one it's upper intake cleaner.  very stinky cause you run it through the intake while running. but I have seen it work wonders you could also poor some in the intake and let is sit for some time. only thing if you do that it's wise to pull the plugs in case you fill a cylinder and just turn it over to clear it out so you don't hydro the engine.

other then that you can clean it manually with bushes and cleaners.  just avoid sensors and stuff like that when cleaning manually.

[jramey]

I've done the seafoam on it before I saw the runners and they're still gunked, I think manually cleaning it would grant best results, ill check out those cleaners tho.

[sharpxmen]

using a wire brush is a definite no while the intake is attached to the head, if a steel wire gets loose or broken inside the intake will cause damage to the piston, rings or cylinder - so forget that.

there are something like 4 nuts attaching the intake manifold to the head, imo just take it out and clean it, otherwise if it's not choked (that would take a lot of buildup) leave it and do it next time you remove the manifold, not worth the risk imo for the probably minimal gains.

[jramey]

using a wire brush is a definite no while the intake is attached to the head, if a steel wire gets loose or broken inside the intake will cause damage to the piston, rings or cylinder - so forget that.

there are something like 4 nuts attaching the intake manifold to the head, imo just take it out and clean it, otherwise if it's not choked (that would take a lot of buildup) leave it and do it next time you remove the manifold, not worth the risk imo for the probably minimal gains.

I think you may have misunderstood what I wanted to clean out. Yes with the intake removed I planned on cleaning it out as well but my post was in reference to the actual ports IN the head not just the intake itself, with the intake removed I've seen what my ports look like and they're quite gunked. I now realize I made a mistake and said runners instead of ports. I will correct the problem in the title, my apologies

[jramey]

I can't figure out how to change or edit my post or title but my post was in reference to the intake ports on the head not intake runners

[sharpxmen]

ah, i understand what you mean now - doesn't change what i said though, if you want to clean them take the cyl head out imo, never heard/seen it done with the head attached.

[VA_YJ]

I've used a product called gum cutter to chemically clean intake deposits.  It works better than anything else I have used, but don't spray it in your eyes (don't ask how I know this).  Here are the details:

BERKEBILE 2+2® GUM CUTTER
http://www.berkebileoil.com/special.htm

As someone suggested, you can let it soak.

It has ethyl-methyl badstuff in it, so you probably can't buy this in California...

[sharpxmen]

it's up to you what you want to do but I will just say this:
what to you think is more harmful, some deposits inside the intake runs that go nowhere or dumping all that dirt/deposits into the cylinder and possible seizing the piston rings or scratching the piston or cylinder walls? If that goes between the ring and the ring canal wall will prevent the ring from pressing against the cylinder and you'll start seeing blue smoke and lose compression.

what benefits will you gain from doing this, your intake will be cleaner but not completely clean?

if your valves are not closing properly this wont fix it anyway and the deposits can only be significantly thick on the exhaust and not on the intake unless the intake valves are not closing and that's exhaust gases blowing back, I can guarantee you it will not run better but most likely the opposite or if you're lucky will be the same as before.

take a compression test first, if the numbers are good leave it alone, if not identify if it's the valves and if yes you can try taking the head off and doing a valve job.

[reddogg]

If you are looking to clean the actual intake port on the head, you could pull the injector rail and use some carb injector cleaner and compressed air through the injector ports. While you at it, clean the injectors. Cleaning the injectors will probably give the better performance anyway. When I cleaned my injectors a few months back, it was very noticeable. The injectors had a lot of buildup on them.