I had a bunch of steam and smelled coolant in the exhaust the other day, so I started the project of replacing the intake manifold gaskets. I've got the manifold off, and I see a lot of thick greasy black build-up in the intake ports of the heads. Is there a reasonable way to clean this up a bit? My concern is that if I touch it, it might start dropping into the cylinders and cause damage...
Also, Is there any reason not to stick the intake manifold in a parts wash tub to clean it up? I pulled off the IMRC actuators, EGR valve, and thermostat and housing.

For those that have done this project already, how did you get everything clean enough without dropping junk into the cylinders?

Thanks!

1997 F150XLT 4.2L 5M STD CAB 2WD... 98k miles and holding

 

BUMP.

 

When I use to change out intake manifolds on small block Chevys,I would use Berrymans carb cleaner in a trigger spray bottle to clean the ports and valley then vacuum everything out the ports with my shop vac. And,it does a dayum good job too!
Yes,stick your intake in a wash tub and let it soak! You might want to spray it down with the Berrymans to loosen up some of the crud,esp. in the EGR ports.
BTW,Wal-Mart sells the Berrymans in 16oz. cans.You can buy a trigger spray bottle in the garden department.
Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Go to the dealer and get some throttle body cleaner. Spray it on, let it soak and clean it out with brake or carb cleaner.

Robbie

 

You can buy throttle body cleaner at any parts store.You go to the dealer to buy it and they will rape you!
To get the ports the cleanest you should soak it as you originally asked.Ive done this quite a few times in the past.I used a parts cleaner tub with Varasol!
The reason I recommended Berrymans is it is used to dip carburetors in to soak before rebuilding them.It is also a good grease,oil,carbon,etc remover! Try it,you will be pleased with the results!

 

Some of your intake valves will be open. I really wouldn't worry about it, this is stuff that runs through the valve all the time anyway. If you do worry, have someone turn the engine over and watch the valvestems for when the close (up). Then do that intake port. Again, I don't think this is necessary.

 

I think he was concerned about the gasket material and sealent, etc. falling in and causing harm. I could be wrong, but I know that is my concern. I plan on using a shop-vac while cleaning mine!

 

Thanks for all the input...
The parts cleaning tub worked great on the intake manifold. For anyone else doing this, remember to remove the EGR valve, the thermostat housing, and the IMRC actuators to avoid damaging the diaphrams and to allow an escape route for solvent and dirt.

I was worried about anything falling into the intake ports OR lifter/cam valley. So it sounds like I should spray the ports and mating surface of the HEAD with Berrymans or some other solvent, then wipe out/off the crud with a towel and or gasket scraper and "catch" the loose debris with the vacuum... Sound about right? My shop vac doesn't have an end small enough to fit in the intake ports, but I should be able to cobble an old heater hose or something onto the end.

I had also thought of what yawr250f suggested. I'll just clean the ports with closed valves first and see how much debris drops. Then I'll decide if I should turn the engine to close the open valves.

Should I change the injector o-rings and/or try to clean the injectors while they are out? Any suggestions how to clean? One suggestion I heard was to drop them in an ultrasonic cleaner with alcohol. What has everyone else done?

 

Yep,all that sounds good.Ide leave the injectors alone."If it aint broke dont fix it"!
I would get new o-rings tho,and put a drop of oil on them upon installation.
I was in Wal-Mart last night and saw Berrymans in the aerasol can. You could also use SeaFoam Deep Creep or Amsoil Power Foam.
Dont worry about stuff falling into the lifter valley or ports.A shop-vac is capable of sucking a watermelon thru a straw! (Kind of like an x-girlfriend of mine)
Anyway,take your time and dont cut corners! Good luck and keep us posted!