What is the best method for cleaning the Intake Manifold

Lambobimmer · 01-12-2018, 04:13 PM

I am sure that the best method is Ultrasonic, but other than that what is next best. I figure that I will clean my manifold while in the process of installing my EGR Race pipe and Swirl flap delete .

I am also curious if the valves and the head runners needs to be cleaned at 61k miles. I guess that I will know when I remove my Intake, but I am wondering if it is common.

Torqu3 · 01-12-2018, 04:28 PM

Very common on the 335d to need this. Not so much on the X5. You'll know when you see it. Ultrasonic is best, some part houses(NAPA, AutoZone, O'Reilly's) have ultrasonic cleaners that they can use. I'd call around. Next up is soaking the intake manifold for a few days in Purple Power degreaser.

Deftronix · 01-12-2018, 05:25 PM

Another member here (socale39) had mentioned he used acetone with good results. He's got a DIY somewhere (x5) for the manifold and swirl flaps and that's what he used.

BB_cuda · 01-12-2018, 06:26 PM

Along with the purple power, a long a$$ bristle brush from Walmart did me well. I recall sleeper saying he used gasoline and it ate it right off. I have no direct experience here (with gas).

Lambobimmer · 01-12-2018, 07:45 PM

Did all of you need to also clean your head runners and valves?

rbreding · 01-12-2018, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lambobimmer

Did all of you need to also clean your head runners and valves?

On the 335 yes. Walnut blasting is about your only solution. Some of it has to be scraped also. The upper ports are the worst ones.

P14kle · 01-12-2018, 11:05 PM

Get a kilogram of caustic soda crystals.
Get a plastic container big enough to contain the inlet manifold in (bare)
Fill with the caustic soda crystals, and the fill with warm water.

Leave it overnight, in the garage or such and let it soak. It should dissolve the Carbon and gunk right off.

Rinse off with water hose thoroughly.

335dlci · 01-13-2018, 06:03 PM

Buying a new one comes the cleanest it could ever be.

335stoner · 01-13-2018, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dlci

Buying a new one comes the cleanest it could ever be.

Have you seen the cost of a new one? Last I looked I think it was near 1000$

I soaked the intake while I was at work then pressure washed it... That seems to be the best method for That. The best for the head is to walnut blast it. ... I half added mine and used a long brush with a little degreaser and a vacuum to suck the junk out..

It worked out just fine for me

smass · 01-14-2018, 07:59 AM

Just did CBU on my X5d last month. I took the intake to a machine shop who made it look new for $50. I have no idea what they did but they said something like "we will put it in with the aluminum". Keep in mind the last 3" of the upper intake runners are formed into the valve cover. That part needs to be cleaned by hand and you can't let it fall into the cylinders. In my case, hitting it with a blast of walnuts to break apart the tar balls, was the only way to vacuum it out.

I also hand cleaned the swirl flaps after soaking them in citrus based de-greaser for 2 days. The black crud stains everything it touches and is tar like in consistency. It was easier to buy cheap wire brushes and throw them away rather than clean them. It is that bad.

My X5 intake was a complete mess at 75k miles. My 09 did not get the 2011 software update that helps with CBU until 2016. My valves were not that bad but I walnut blasted them anyway. The intake runners up to the valves were a mess all the way down. The software update really did help preventing the CBU. I cleaned the EGR after the software and after 25k miles the EGR CBU was not as bad when compared to the first time I saw it.

01-12-2018, 04:13 PM	#1
Lambobimmer Major 292 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i, 2018 TTRS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tarheel iTrader: (14)	What is the best method for cleaning the Intake Manifold I am sure that the best method is Ultrasonic, but other than that what is next best. I figure that I will clean my manifold while in the process of installing my EGR Race pipe and Swirl flap delete . I am also curious if the valves and the head runners needs to be cleaned at 61k miles. I guess that I will know when I remove my Intake, but I am wondering if it is common.
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01-12-2018, 04:28 PM	#2
Torqu3 Major 319 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2011 335d Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Centralish Texas iTrader: (0)	Very common on the 335d to need this. Not so much on the X5. You'll know when you see it. Ultrasonic is best, some part houses(NAPA, AutoZone, O'Reilly's) have ultrasonic cleaners that they can use. I'd call around. Next up is soaking the intake manifold for a few days in Purple Power degreaser.
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01-12-2018, 05:25 PM	#3
Deftronix First Lieutenant 170 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 12 X5d & 20 X7 M50i Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Another member here (socale39) had mentioned he used acetone with good results. He's got a DIY somewhere (x5) for the manifold and swirl flaps and that's what he used.
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01-12-2018, 06:26 PM	#4
BB_cuda Brigadier General 761 Rep 3,553 Posts Drives: 2011 335D Msport, 2013 X5D Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Clear Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	Along with the purple power, a long a$$ bristle brush from Walmart did me well. I recall sleeper saying he used gasoline and it ate it right off. I have no direct experience here (with gas).
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01-12-2018, 07:45 PM	#5
Lambobimmer Major 292 Rep 1,473 Posts Drives: 2022 X3 M40i, 2018 TTRS Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Tarheel iTrader: (14)	Did all of you need to also clean your head runners and valves?
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01-12-2018, 11:05 PM	#7
P14kle Second Lieutenant 196 Rep 291 Posts Drives: E91 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: South West UK iTrader: (0)	Get a kilogram of caustic soda crystals. Get a plastic container big enough to contain the inlet manifold in (bare) Fill with the caustic soda crystals, and the fill with warm water. Leave it overnight, in the garage or such and let it soak. It should dissolve the Carbon and gunk right off. Rinse off with water hose thoroughly.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-13-2018, 06:03 PM	#8
335dlci Lieutenant Colonel 277 Rep 1,572 Posts Drives: 335d Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Socal iTrader: (0)	Buying a new one comes the cleanest it could ever be.
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01-14-2018, 07:59 AM	#10
smass Lieutenant Colonel 396 Rep 1,578 Posts Drives: 06 325i - 10 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Scottsdale, AZ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2010 E90 335i [0.00] 2016 F15 35i [0.00] 2003 E53 3.0 [0.00] 2006 E90 325i [0.00]	Just did CBU on my X5d last month. I took the intake to a machine shop who made it look new for $50. I have no idea what they did but they said something like "we will put it in with the aluminum". Keep in mind the last 3" of the upper intake runners are formed into the valve cover. That part needs to be cleaned by hand and you can't let it fall into the cylinders. In my case, hitting it with a blast of walnuts to break apart the tar balls, was the only way to vacuum it out. I also hand cleaned the swirl flaps after soaking them in citrus based de-greaser for 2 days. The black crud stains everything it touches and is tar like in consistency. It was easier to buy cheap wire brushes and throw them away rather than clean them. It is that bad. My X5 intake was a complete mess at 75k miles. My 09 did not get the 2011 software update that helps with CBU until 2016. My valves were not that bad but I walnut blasted them anyway. The intake runners up to the valves were a mess all the way down. The software update really did help preventing the CBU. I cleaned the EGR after the software and after 25k miles the EGR CBU was not as bad when compared to the first time I saw it.
	Appreciate 0 Quote