Best chemicals / methods for cleaning intake manifold

mtgstuber · **Joined:** Tue Sep 13, 2011 4:15 pm **Posts:** 66

Well, I'm finally getting my trashed-rocker CRD back together. (I have a very patient wife). Question: What do folks recommend for cleaning out the cylinder head cover / intake manifold? When I ask this I'm thinking about both which chemicals and what tools to use.

Hexus · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 6:45 am

Borrowing a Parts Washer is probably recommended honestly.

Non-Chlorinated Brake parts cleaner and Intake/Carb/Choke cleaner works well too.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 7:36 am

I bought a big can of parts cleaner from Advance Auto a little pricey but it worked great just don't forget to by some scrub brushes.

Wobbly · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 10:00 am

You might do a search on YouTube for "Tdi intake manifold cleaning". There are a number of videos showing how to burn out the deposits using a propane torch and compressed air.

UFO · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 12:38 pm

Biodiesel is the best! It dissolves everything, it is non-toxic, and biodegradable.

LMWatBullRun · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 2:27 pm

I used gasoline and paint thinner and some plastic brushes, then finished with carb cleaner.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

UFO wrote:

Biodiesel is the best! It dissolves everything, it is non-toxic, and biodegradable.

I second that, its a great solvent cleaner. Oven cleaner has also been used by some folks to clean out their intakes. Note: its pretty toxic so you should wear protective equipment when using it.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Sat May 11, 2013 11:57 am

Oven cleaner works ok the burn method isn't that bad either but the. Inside of our intake is extremely difficult to get into all the nooks and crannies and get it truly clean. My second time cleaning mine I paid a shop $50 with a sonic bath cleaner to do it for me and it looks brand new.

Dennis MacGyver · **Posted:** Sat May 11, 2013 3:11 pm

Submerge it in gasoline why buy a expensive solvent when gas will dissolve oil ?? Maybe use a baby bottle brush too.

LMWatBullRun · **Posted:** Sun May 12, 2013 3:33 pm

audiboy86 wrote:

Oven cleaner works ok the burn method isn't that bad either but the. Inside of our intake is extremely difficult to get into all the nooks and crannies and get it truly clean. My second time cleaning mine I paid a shop $50 with a sonic bath cleaner to do it for me and it looks brand new.

Sonic cleaning in solvent sounds like the best of all worlds. Gas works but watch for sparks and open flame!

Hot Stuff · **Posted:** Sun May 12, 2013 6:39 pm

I soaked mine in my solvent tank, then used my pressure washer in my driveway. Worked great.

LMWatBullRun · **Posted:** Sun May 12, 2013 7:10 pm

Wobbly wrote:

You might do a search on YouTube for "Tdi intake manifold cleaning". There are a number of videos showing how to burn out the deposits using a propane torch and compressed air.

Do TDIs have the camshaft and cam bearings in the intake manifold? :shock:

*I* would not do that to a CRD on a bet with your manifold, Wobbly!

Best chemicals / methods for cleaning intake manifold

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