Quick! Help! Is this worth cleaning now?

[SZR48207]

I'm in the middle of an intake plenum gasket replacement. I have the plenum off and I have carb cleaner.


2002 F150 with 78K on the odo. 4.2L V6 engine.

Should I clean this now? How?

Can I just skip this for now and use AutoRX or Seafoam later?

Thanks.

 

[DoubleDee]

I would have to clean that. If I see it, I have to fix/clean it.

 

[StevieC]

Take it off and do it right... You're car will thank you! Then run a good fuel additive to keep it clean.

 

[OVERKILL]

Spray some AC Delco combustion chamber cleaner on it, then hit it with a toothbrush. Will come right off.

 

[SZR48207]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Spray some AC Delco combustion chamber cleaner on it, then hit it with a toothbrush. Will come right off.


Do not have. Can I use Seafoam or carb cleaner?

 

[StevieC]

Carb cleaner will work...

 

[MGregoir]

Seafoam and GM Top End Cleaner are pretty much the same thing as far as I can tell.

 

[rg200amp]

Clean it!!!!

I find Q-tips sprayed with carb cleaner work great in small areas

 

[c3po]

What caused that too happen, was it oil mist getting past the PCV Valve or is that a faulty EGR Valve causing that buildup.

 

[onion]

Personally, I wouldn't bother. A thin film like that won't cause you any problems. And it's negligible compared to the crusty critters that are likely built up on the back side of your valves.

Originally Posted By: c3po
What caused that too happen, was it oil mist getting past the PCV Valve or is that a faulty EGR Valve causing that buildup.


This is quite common on even well-maintained engines. The crud likely comes from both sources, and the EGR valve doesn't have to be faulty to cause this.

 

[tom slick]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
Take it off and do it right... You're car will thank you! Then run a good fuel additive to keep it clean.



That is above the fuel injector, additives won't help it.

I don't think it hurts anything but I'd spray it with carb cleaner to clean it up.

 

[StevieC]

I was thinking about back spray and/or vapours in the PCV/breather system that would recirculate back and keep it clean.

 

[SZR48207]

OK I'm cleaning now. Seems like the effective way is to blast the IMRC valves with carb cleaner. Some is soaking down into the intake valves.

Is this okay?

 

[StevieC]

Wait till you start it up... It will be a white cloud for a while... If you start soon enough.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Reddy45
OK I'm cleaning now. Seems like the effective way is to blast the IMRC valves with carb cleaner. Some is soaking down into the intake valves.

Is this okay?


Yes. The reason I suggested the AC Delco Combustion Chamber cleaner is because it is thick and stays put. It also cleans markedly better than Carb cleaner.

 

[Johnny]

After you get it all put back together, go out and drive it on the highway to blow the soot out of it. You will be fine. Just don't get caught speeding by one of Oklahoma's finest.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: onion
Personally, I wouldn't bother. A thin film like that won't cause you any problems. And it's negligible compared to the crusty critters that are likely built up on the back side of your valves.

Originally Posted By: c3po
What caused that too happen, was it oil mist getting past the PCV Valve or is that a faulty EGR Valve causing that buildup.


This is quite common on even well-maintained engines. The crud likely comes from both sources, and the EGR valve doesn't have to be faulty to cause this.


This happened on a Ford engine, and I have a Mercury Marauder which is a Ford product, how do I prevent this from happening.

The owner's manual says to change the PCV at 100,000 miles. I think I will be changing it at 30,000 miles.

 

[Steve S]

how thick is it? It is from oil fumes and dirt that gets through or by the air filter etc.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: c3po
Originally Posted By: onion
Personally, I wouldn't bother. A thin film like that won't cause you any problems. And it's negligible compared to the crusty critters that are likely built up on the back side of your valves.

Originally Posted By: c3po
What caused that too happen, was it oil mist getting past the PCV Valve or is that a faulty EGR Valve causing that buildup.


This is quite common on even well-maintained engines. The crud likely comes from both sources, and the EGR valve doesn't have to be faulty to cause this.


This happened on a Ford engine, and I have a Mercury Marauder which is a Ford product, how do I prevent this from happening.

The owner's manual says to change the PCV at 100,000 miles. I think I will be changing it at 30,000 miles.
It is normal.you can change the pcv valve everyday and it wont make a difference.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: Reddy45
OK I'm cleaning now. Seems like the effective way is to blast the IMRC valves with carb cleaner. Some is soaking down into the intake valves.

Is this okay?
Where is the crud going to go?