Hi guys. I want to clean my intake valves (40K miles on cooper s). I read that Seafoam is a good way to do it, but unfortunately, I can't find seafoam in my country (outside US) and ordering through ebay costs $50. So i am asking if I spray any carb cleaner or throttle body cleaner through the PCV, will do any good or damage?

Thnx

 

Have you checked out this thread on actually cleaning the valves.......it's not that difficult.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-seafoam.html

Hoopty

 

Best way to clean them is to remove the whole intake manifold and clean by hand. You can use any carb cleaner type solution you want to draw into the PCV tube, but nothing is going to clean that gunk out like some manual labor!

 

Thnx for you response.
I know that hand cleaning them is the best solution, but I was hopping for sthing easier until I find some time. I guess I will need a full day or more to do it. I used a gas cleaner (Forte I think its the name) and I can say that there was an improvment! So I might spray some Carb cleaner when I find some, and I will hand clean them when I find some time. I believe, Using a small metal brush on a drill, with a vacuum cleaner will do the trick.

 

Using Seafoam through the intake is like taking a toothpick to the Berlin wall. It will help to prevent buildup but will do nothing to remove caked up carbon. I did a double dose and then removed the intake and they were the worst I've seen. Remove the intake and clean.

 

Anyone have a step by step how to with pictures?

 

Some how to DIY pics would be great. I think
many of us are intimidated by removing the head.

 

You do not need to remove the head. You simply remove your intake box (where your air filter or aftermarket cold air unit is, remove the boost hoses that run by the intake, remove the 5 bolts that secure the intake to the head, unplug a few connectors and rock the intake back against the firewall. This will give you approx 4 inches of clearance to be able to clean the valves. You can easily look down the runner by shining a flashlight in and peeking up, around, over, and into the runner. You don't even need a mirror. Most of the cleaning is done by feel anyways. I would only look into the runner to inspect how the cleaning was going to see what I needed to get. The process is very very easy, just time consuming.

 

Thanks, I feel really stupid now. I'm going to check it out next week. I'm
not having any issues but don't want any either. If I can help it.

 

I've got a post on here from today with some tricks to use, and there's several others out there. The gun cleaning brushes and accessories worked great for me.

 

Found your other thread also. With this one and that one I think I feel more comfortable tackling this project. I've installed most of my own stuff
so I don't mind digging in a little. I've got some cleaning rods, etc. Will pick up the other goodies here and there for when I'm ready.
Thanks again.
Anything else you think of feel free to PM me or add it this thread.

 

I finally cleaned them. It is not difficult but I have to say it was a pain in the A%$ to remove the manifold. Especially the hoses. It was impossible to remove them. And their clamps were in positions which it was very difficult to loosen them. I scratched my hands everywhere. It was like i have been attacked from a cat! Also if you are kind of tall (1.85m) be ready for some knee pain! It took me from 13.00 to 19.00 and the first 2-3 hours were to get the manifold out. It took me 30minutes to put it back.
I followed this guide https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...right-way.html , which has an error, there is also a 10mm bold under the manifold, beside the large intake hose, if you want to remove it completely.

I used a baby's toothbrush, and a screwdriver with a cloth to clean them, but a thin and long brush for cleaning the barrel of guns, which i didnt have, will be very helpful. and also a good flashlight! An air compressor is a must!

I have taken some before/after pics of the valves. The car has 40000miles (2008 model), and i use 98oct gas, change oil every 3000 miles.