Intake Cleaners

Bobio · Jun 2, 2005

Hey all,

I have a 2001 Mustang GT with the 4.6L V8 and 57K miles. Seems I am getting some oil in the intake from the PCV system, not much but it has never been cleaned so there is a buildup. I put in a new Motorcraft PCV valve and I am going to put an air/oil seperator in the PCV line to slow down any future buildup but, what would you all suggest to clean the intake with? I was thinking Seafoam but, I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks

Sam3 · Jun 2, 2005

Kill the EGR.

bigpaulo · Jun 2, 2005

Bobio,

DO NOT USE ANY INTAKE THROTTLE BODY CLEANER UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO CHANGE YOUR OIL IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS.

I ended up getting spiked lead levels after using half a can of CRC Throttle Body Cleaner in my engine.

Either change your oil right away after you clean your throttle body, or put off the throttle body cleaning until you are ready to change your oil.

Bobio · Jun 2, 2005

Thanks bigpaulo! Whatever I wind up using, I had planned on changing the oil right after.

mechtech · Jun 2, 2005

It seems that either taking it off and cleaning it perfectly, or leaving it alone, would be my choices. I agree that it looks horrible, but in reality, there probably is no advantage to cleaning it.
The catch can is a great idea, if implemented correctly.

kang · Jun 2, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by mechtech:
...The catch can is a great idea, if implemented correctly.

Could you describe “implemented correctly” in a bit more detail? What would be implemented incorrectly?

JohnBrowning · Jun 2, 2005

I would use Amsoil's Power Foam. It comes in an aerosol can. It expands like carpet cleaning foam to get all the nooks and crany's. It looks a lot like engine degreaser. You use it witht he engine running and it will also claen the upper cylinders as well.

Like others have said you idealy want to do it right before an oil change. I think Amsoil recomends changeing the oil afterwards ion not more then 500 miles! It really works well. Sea Foam would not even touch the inside of the intake of manifold and would not get the TB plate/butter fly at all!

boxcartommie22 · Jun 2, 2005

i just put an oil catch can made by aacurate machine works in my 98 vic and waiting on one for the 98 continental and then for my expy..all i cab say is this catch can is absolutely the very best it cost 96 bucks and work great...my pcv is dry but all vehicles will have some oil vapor and this cleans and filters out...you won't believe the inc. in performance and much better gas milege..go to there web site

1sttruck · Jun 2, 2005

The throttle position sensor in the Fords can be damaged by stuff like carb cleaners, it's evidently a carbom film sensor, so be careful.

Shaman · Jun 2, 2005

Has anyone tried to make their own catch can? $98 seems pretty steep for a catch can. I know several people who use fuel filters or air/water separators. Unless you want something that looks pretty, I think that a catch can could be had for less than $20.

GimmeTorq · Jun 2, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by JohnBrowning:
Sea Foam would not even touch the inside of the intake of manifold and would not get the TB plate/butter fly at all!

You can use the aerosol version of Seafoam called Deep Creep. I have used it with good results. I have also used Valvoline SynPower TB Cleaner in the past. Good stuff too.

Bobio · Jun 2, 2005

Here is an image of an air/oil seperator sold by Steeda.

http://www.steeda.com/PR/Mustang/PR/555-3710.htm

They want $60 for it but, you can get the parts much cheaper at the local Home Depot and put it together yourself for a fraction of that.

http://www.modulardepot.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35895&highlight=steeda+seperator

I am not sure if this is the best solution but, it is one of the ones that I am looking at.

PS I ordered two cans of Amsoil Power Foam today and will give it a try before my trip next week.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[ June 03, 2005, 10:45 AM: Message edited by: Bobio ]

T-Keith · Jun 2, 2005

I use CRC brand intake cleaner, it is made specifically for FI and is TEFLON safe. For the MAF I use CRC brand electrical contact cleaner.

Bobio · Jun 2, 2005

I just got to thinking. The intake on the 4.6 is a composit material. Does anyone see any problem with using Amsoil Powerfoam in it? I am assuming that since it is used with the engine running it should not be in there long enough to cause any problems.

Thanks

TwoLostMinds · Jun 2, 2005

Ummm....that oil catch can sold by Steeda looks very familiar.
Ohhh yeah, its a $20 water separator for air compresors. You can get them at Lowes and Home Depot. I believe its the Husky brand.

Blue99 · Jun 2, 2005

My GM 5.3L Vortec engine has a composite intake with a steel liner in the chamber. I used the Vavoline Synpower throttle body cleaner & a long handled round brush to scrub it clean.

Some strong chemicals such as Xylene are in these cleaners, but the composite material, no doubt, needs to have good chemical resistance to any typical fuel components.

BTW, nice picture Bobio, it would be interesting to track the level of oil as it relates to OCI mileage or higher engine operating temps.

Big Jim · Jun 3, 2005

A great tool for cleaning the throttle body is an old toothbrush. It is soft enough to not damage anything (unless you really try hard) and firm enough to clean well.

Although I'll use most any aerosol throttle body cleaner to clean the throttle body, the rest of the intake can better be cleaned with something like Berryman's B12 in the pourable container. Most any high quality fuel injector cleaner will work Feed it through a vacuum line or lines with the engine running. You need to find a way to control the flow. I use a restrictor in the hose that I drop into the can combined with vice grips to squeeze the line and control with the vice grip thumbscrew. Something with a finer thread and more adjustability would also work. This will also clean the valves and combustion chambers as well.

mechtech · Jun 3, 2005

Throttle bodies [the bore and plate] most certainly workd best when clean.
I still believe that the oil residue in the runners will probably just sit there and do nothing. It must be in a 'dead' air space to begin with, or it wouldn't collect there.
A catch can should not restrict the flow of PCV gasses. A tiny filter may impede flow.

robbobster · Jun 9, 2005

Here's a very recent thread on PCV catch can systems.

I went the Home Depot route, with one per bank. Has eliminated the oil consumption I've had from day one, and I've got a blower now.

Natuarally aspirated, I think you just need one on the passenger side.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=000936;p=1

Bobio · Jun 9, 2005

Question for you guys. What is the best method to get Amsoil Fuel Power into the intake on a fuel injected car? The directions seem oriented towards carbs. What I wound up doing was replacing the nozzle with one from a can of carb cleaner I had so I could put the long straw on it. While the car was running I cracked the throttle just enough to get the straw in and sprayed away. Didn't seem to be the most effective method of application.

Intake Cleaners

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