Upper and lower intake manifold cleaning

[ssmason85]

I'm replacing the intake manifold gaskets and the fuel rail gasket. I figured I'd try to clean the manifolds the best I can while they were off. Any tips on how to go about it? (98 Ranger 4.0L OHV, upper manifold is plastic).

Also, any trick to getting the EGR tube out of my upper manifold? That sucker is putting up one heck of a fight!

 

[adsm08]

The intake is hard to clean inside. Brake clean and wire brushes work well, if you have the right brushes.

Have you tried unbolting the EGR valve from the intake, rather than trying to get the tube out?

 

[RonD]

Yes, petroleum based cleaner and bottle brushes

Can of elbow grease is also required

https://www.hardworkingtrucks.com/kaleautoco-elbow-grease/

Most auto part stores carry it, same aisle as the blinker fluid

 

[ssmason85]

Can I use brake clean on the upper? I was hesitant to use it because its plastic. Ill look into some brushes.

Ill look for that elbow grease it must be around here somewhere!

But for now, I did unbolt the tube from the EGR, I was just wondering if that inlet tube needed cleaning too.

 

[adsm08]

Brake cleaner will work fine.