Cleaning the intake valves - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jameg1011 · 08-06-2012, 05:52 PM

Pulled the intake manifold off today to find a ton of build up on the values. (yes i ordered a catch can instantly). Whats the best way to clean that off of there? Is there a spray or something i can use while i have the manifold off? (i dont feel like taking the heads off ect i have work at 7am) If anyone has any idea, any input would be appreciated!!

Lil' Nasty · 08-06-2012, 06:21 PM

Some use sea foam but Im no expert on that stuff hopefully Tracy can chime in on this

SC2150 · 08-06-2012, 06:46 PM

BG or seafoam induction cleaning will help some, but physical removal is the only way to get them clean as new....at best seafoam will get maybe 1/2 of it off. You dont want to spray anything into the chamber as it can leak down into the cylinders.

Cant stress the importance of a catchcan (and only the few that actually catch most or all the oil...not the majority that still let a bunch through as you will still get this buildup) from day one.

I would reassemble and run a treatment through following the directions closely and with a good can, you will at least be preventing further buildup.

JohnnyBfromPeoria · 08-06-2012, 07:54 PM

You can get Seafoam in through the brake booster line by necking down the line to a small hose you just barely let suck up a little Seafoam at a time (don't let the engine die, it "could" hydrolock the engine). I use tape to attach the smaller line to the brake booster line. It would be a good idea to change the oil afterwards, for the reason suggested above: leakdown past the cylinder walls.

If you wanted to go one step further, Seafoam in a spray can is called "Deep Creep" and is the same stuff. In theory, you could remove the plenum and have a shot at being able to spray down the intake tract, but the engine wouldn't be running at that point and an oil change would be even more relevant. Do not spray any sensors with the stuff.

If you remove the plenum, clean it out by soaking it in Dawn or your favorite grease-cutting soap and try to get any oil residue out of it, then dry it completely before reinstalling it.

I assume no responsibility for what may or may not happen, and all of this is just my opinion. Feel free to comment on it, however. I can remind you that adding any so-called cleaner to the gas tank will have zero cleaning effect as the fuel is injected directly into the cylinders and doesn't pass the valves on the way in.

John B.

SC2150 · 08-07-2012, 05:42 PM

Good info Johnny

20121lt · 08-07-2012, 06:01 PM

jameg how many miles are on your motor

JohnnyBfromPeoria · 08-07-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SC2150

Good info Johnny

Thanks, Tracy. I sell floor covering for a living (for the last 26 years), but I have learned a thing or two about other things. Now, whether those things translate into real-world usefulness is debatable. As I said, I assume no responsibility!

Seafoam is fun...

John B.

Jameg1011 · 08-07-2012, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20121lt

jameg how many miles are on your motor

12500

Dadof10 · 08-08-2012, 10:11 PM

Any chance somebody has a "How To" video specifically for seafoaming the LFX engine.

theragtopguy · 08-09-2012, 11:03 PM

Here's a link to a video showing how to use the CRC Motor Treatment product.....same basic stuff as Seafoam, but with more cleaning additives.

caliguy · 08-10-2012, 12:10 AM

All i did was, loosen up the clamp from the snout going to the TB stick the little hose from seafoam can into it, slid snout back over TB with hose going in, tighten down clamp, have a friend hold throttle around 1500RPM's spray for 2mins, shut off car, take out little hose, tighten down snout, let the car sit about 10mins NOT RUNNING, after that fire it up take a drive, down a empty road cause you'll start pouring smoke out, drive spiritly as the instructions say after smoke is gone your good to go...

20121lt · 08-10-2012, 08:09 AM

i understand this does not clean entirely the valves but i ordered a catch can yesturday as i have been reading this and my camaro has 1800 miles ...

Russell James · 08-10-2012, 08:12 AM

If it runs great, best thing to do is nothing (other than the catch can). Trying any type of flushing is just going to be washing abrasive crap down the cylinders. If it starts to have a problem, take it to the dealer. That's what the 100 k warranty is for.

Type of oil and miles between changes?

Russell James · 08-10-2012, 08:17 AM

I pulled the heads off an SS at 3000 miles (and it had a catch can since 5) and there was what one might think to be a ton of carbon on the CC's, valves... scraped it off, cleaned everything up.... but the reality is it was just normal and had no effect on the way it was running. Ran great before and after.

If something is really wrong, it will be very noticeable and set a check engine light. If it runs perfect, put on a catch can, use the best fuel and oil, change the oil often, enjoy the car. Dissassembly, cleanings, treatments.... why bother introducing more problems to a perfectly running engine.

08-06-2012, 05:52 PM	#1
Jameg1011 Drives: 2012 2LT 45th anniversary Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 754	Cleaning the intake valves Pulled the intake manifold off today to find a ton of build up on the values. (yes i ordered a catch can instantly). Whats the best way to clean that off of there? Is there a spray or something i can use while i have the manifold off? (i dont feel like taking the heads off ect i have work at 7am) If anyone has any idea, any input would be appreciated!!

08-06-2012, 06:21 PM	#2
Lil' Nasty [COTW 4/13/15] Drives: Supercharged LLT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 5,957	Some use sea foam but Im no expert on that stuff hopefully Tracy can chime in on this __________________ LiL' Nasty's Build Journal

08-06-2012, 07:54 PM	#4
JohnnyBfromPeoria Drives: 2012 LS M6, Black Join Date: May 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 2,045	You can get Seafoam in through the brake booster line by necking down the line to a small hose you just barely let suck up a little Seafoam at a time (don't let the engine die, it "could" hydrolock the engine). I use tape to attach the smaller line to the brake booster line. It would be a good idea to change the oil afterwards, for the reason suggested above: leakdown past the cylinder walls. If you wanted to go one step further, Seafoam in a spray can is called "Deep Creep" and is the same stuff. In theory, you could remove the plenum and have a shot at being able to spray down the intake tract, but the engine wouldn't be running at that point and an oil change would be even more relevant. Do not spray any sensors with the stuff. If you remove the plenum, clean it out by soaking it in Dawn or your favorite grease-cutting soap and try to get any oil residue out of it, then dry it completely before reinstalling it. I assume no responsibility for what may or may not happen, and all of this is just my opinion. Feel free to comment on it, however. I can remind you that adding any so-called cleaner to the gas tank will have zero cleaning effect as the fuel is injected directly into the cylinders and doesn't pass the valves on the way in. John B. __________________ 12 LS M6, IPF S/C, ASA GT-5 wheels, VMax PTB 1995 Mitsubishi Montero SR 1987 Dodge Raider Turbo Project 1986 Mitsubishi Montero 2.4l FI Transplant

08-08-2012, 10:11 PM	#9
Dadof10 Drives: 2012 Blk/Beige 2LT M6 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sulphur, LA Posts: 142	Any chance somebody has a "How To" video specifically for seafoaming the LFX engine. __________________ Mods: Heritage Grille,CAI cold air intake,painted engine cover, RX catch can

08-10-2012, 12:10 AM	#11
caliguy Don't ask to pop my hood! Drives: it's loud....... Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: southern cali, Posts: 852	All i did was, loosen up the clamp from the snout going to the TB stick the little hose from seafoam can into it, slid snout back over TB with hose going in, tighten down clamp, have a friend hold throttle around 1500RPM's spray for 2mins, shut off car, take out little hose, tighten down snout, let the car sit about 10mins NOT RUNNING, after that fire it up take a drive, down a empty road cause you'll start pouring smoke out, drive spiritly as the instructions say after smoke is gone your good to go... __________________ *Limo tint rears, 35% sides \| B&G lowering springs \| BowTies Blacked out \| Red Footwells\|Dome Light\|Kicker 500Watts-Amp-Kicker 12" Ported Sub=BOOM\| Stillin Splitter \|Pssst 100 shot\|* *13.36 @102.7 @LVMS \|* *2010*.

08-06-2012, 06:46 PM	#3
SC2150 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro RS, RX supercharged Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 6,063	BG or seafoam induction cleaning will help some, but physical removal is the only way to get them clean as new....at best seafoam will get maybe 1/2 of it off. You dont want to spray anything into the chamber as it can leak down into the cylinders. Cant stress the importance of a catchcan (and only the few that actually catch most or all the oil...not the majority that still let a bunch through as you will still get this buildup) from day one. I would reassemble and run a treatment through following the directions closely and with a good can, you will at least be preventing further buildup.

08-07-2012, 05:42 PM	#5
SC2150 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro RS, RX supercharged Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 6,063	Good info Johnny

08-07-2012, 06:01 PM	#6
20121lt REAPER1LE Drives: 1LE 1 SS 2018 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: oswego ny Posts: 194 View My Garage	jameg how many miles are on your motor

08-10-2012, 08:09 AM	#12
20121lt REAPER1LE Drives: 1LE 1 SS 2018 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: oswego ny Posts: 194 View My Garage	i understand this does not clean entirely the valves but i ordered a catch can yesturday as i have been reading this and my camaro has 1800 miles ...

08-10-2012, 08:12 AM	#13
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	If it runs great, best thing to do is nothing (other than the catch can). Trying any type of flushing is just going to be washing abrasive crap down the cylinders. If it starts to have a problem, take it to the dealer. That's what the 100 k warranty is for. Type of oil and miles between changes?

08-10-2012, 08:17 AM	#14
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	I pulled the heads off an SS at 3000 miles (and it had a catch can since 5) and there was what one might think to be a ton of carbon on the CC's, valves... scraped it off, cleaned everything up.... but the reality is it was just normal and had no effect on the way it was running. Ran great before and after. If something is really wrong, it will be very noticeable and set a check engine light. If it runs perfect, put on a catch can, use the best fuel and oil, change the oil often, enjoy the car. Dissassembly, cleanings, treatments.... why bother introducing more problems to a perfectly running engine.