Cleaning up the intake manifold

[Schniddy]

So I have my intake manifold off the car with the fuel rail and injectors removed. While it’s off the car I figured I'd look into cleaning up the inside.

The intake side is all gunked up and full with oil (where the fuel injectors spray), is this normal? Should I just go ahead and clean this up with gunk or simple green?

Also, What all is involved with a port and polish? Is this something I should be doing myself or paying someone to do? What tools/supplies do I need to accomplish this.

I've read the intake side should not be 100% smooth due to the fuel/air mixture being messed up, but throttle body side can be as buttery smooth as you can get it.


Thanks in advance!

[Aptyp]

toughy, what are you doing with your car?

[Schniddy]

In the engine bay:

T-belt
Crankshaft seal
Water pump
ALL coolant hoses
rebuilt M50 injectors
Engine mounts
TPS sensor
Temp sensor

Thats about it for that, but I'm also cleaning every last bit of gunk up and also spraying the intake mani and valve cover with a HD winkle coat.

I'm guessing having the intake side as gunked up as mine is, isn't normal? Also the throttle side is nice and wet looking inside.

[jlevie]

Oil in the intake is usually the result of worn valve guides and seals. You can clean it out, but until the head is rebuilt it will soon be back.

[Dyno4mance]

if you want to just freshen everything, it is inexpensive to have the manifold glass beaded and that will clean it well for painting also it will clean up the majority of the inside and the injector seats in preparation for some new isolators/seals...also, not a good idea to clean the intake ports with the cam installed lots of crap can get into the engine

[Schniddy]

Looks like I'll get it glass beaded! They only problem is finding a shop. doing a search on google dosn't find anything. What type of shop should I be looking for (keyword).

thanks for the help
Jon

[Dyno4mance]

I get my stuff done at a local machine shop...the same place that cuts flywheels does rebores that kind of thing

[Schniddy]

I have a place right down the road glass beading the a VC, intake mani, and throttle body.

thanks for the help!

[The Barvarian]

How about some before and after pics?

[Schniddy]

I have some pics of how the engine bay was before the tear down, so I'll post up when everything is done.

[Schniddy]

Intake mani, valve cover, and throttle body look brand spanking new right now.

However, the shiny finishes on the gasket sides have all pitted. Can I just sand paper them down to shine again?

[kenika65]

If you dont have gashes then it will seal.

[Schniddy]

If you dont have gashes then it will seal.

There's pitting however. Should I still be good?

[Schniddy]

There's pitting however, from the glass. Should I still be good?

anyone?

[nefarious7907]

You need to get it cold tanked, you could have it hot tanked but alot of shops around here wont hot tank aluminum parts. But that will get all of the "gunk" out of it.