Well I've got the throttle body off and the intake manifold off and I'm down to the gaskets. My intake has some black buildup and I'd like to remove this easily without a trip to the store again. After using a can of brake cleaner I had zero luck. It's pretty thick residue. Any tips?

Metal or plastic intake manifold?

It's metal. Here's what I'm trying to get clean.

Ps don't mind the rip in the gasket. Was an accident and a new one is going on tomorrow.

http://i.imgur.com/YcKqGCY.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jArXfR5.jpg

I'm not too concerned with the external cleanliness as much as the interior. It looked baked inside there.

I was cleaning my TDI intake (aluminum) with brake cleaner and I was really surprised that it barely cleaned anything. I then switched to the Valvoline brand Throttle body cleaner and it almost instantly dissolved right down to the shiny metal. Not saying this is the best stuff, I just bought that one since it happened to be on sale. As well as it worked, the next time I think I will be buying it again regardless of price.

If it's a metal intake use a rag soaked with your cleaning solvent of choice or a brush, then spray to get rid of any loose fibers. Then again, it it's metal it might also be a rough casting. If so, you might be better off leaving that carbon in there to give a smoother surface and slightly better flow.

It's rough casting externally but I'm pretty sure it's a smooth finish inside underneath the gunk. Somehow my throttle body is near spotless yet my intake looks like its loaded with tar lol. Is there any soak I can do to it overnight to just spray it down with a hose in the morning? There's a tiny o ring on top that's already kinda iffy that I'd rather not harm though. I don't plan to own the car but for another 3 months or so. If its not an issue ill just leave it alone.

A picture of a black hole does not help much. My plenum had a very dark black film on it and i just left it, i think it is the oil streak from the PCV valve.

Now if it is a thick layer of crud that is different.

Ill get another pic after I'm done watching dexter. Sorry it's tough in pitch dark in the country with an iPhone lol

http://www.lastotallyawesome.com/html/Products_Degreaser.html

$1 for the spray bottle, $3 for the big bottle at Dollar General. Buy a plastic tub you can submerge it in if you don't have one, soak it for 30 minutes in 50/50 cleaner and water. Rinse if off, then clean what's left with straight cleaner and a tooth brush.

Check out my thread in the solvent forum:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2949569#Post2949569

http://i.imgur.com/fY0M4eY.jpg

That's a better shot of the inside. I don't think it's considered too bad but I don't like it. I'm planning to get rid of the car in like 3 months anyways so if its not an issue ill just skip it. Would any other cleaner work in place of the LA's totally awesome?

Rough cast. That buildup isn't doing anything to hurt your cross-sectional area but might be smoothing the surface out ever so slightly. If you want to do some cleanup to that intake that might actually do something look at port matching and/or polishing. That means taking off some metal and will be more work than is justified if you're only going to have it for a few months.

Thanks for that tip. I know what port polishing is but I didn't know if this would cause any harm or not. See I'm a bong to dump this car and upgrade to something newer. I've had my eye on an 86 Monte Carlo as well however. I think it'd look great with a 468 dropped in haha! Anyways thanks for the help! Ill get her volte back up tomorrow afternoon and back running again. Much appreciated!

Good 2nd pic! I would not fool with it. That is nothing more than a oil streak. Cleaning it off will do nothing for you.

???

Simple Green is popular, and easily available at Walmart. I hear it will stain (darken) aluminum, though.