Is this 3M intake cleaner kit worth using?

[clearanceman]

I’ve used throttle body cleaner and techron, but I’ve never used the intake mist cleaner with the long tube.

Topic

[college man]

The best way is to go to a shop and have an injector service done.
But as a diy you could try the kit. theres also anther product that
advance auto sells (sea foam) they make an induction spray now.
In Erics video this is what a shop would use to clean injectors and
valves.disreguard the part about moving the vehicle.thats a whole
other subject.

http://www.seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-spray.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fizKtru7 … plpp_video

[clearanceman]

Quoted From college man:

The best way is to go to a shop and have an injector service done.
But as a diy you could try the kit. theres also anther product that
advance auto sells (sea foam) they make an induction spray now.
In Erics video this is what a shop would use to clean injectors and
valves.disreguard the part about moving the vehicle.thats a whole
other subject.

http://www.seafoamsales.com/sea-foam-spray.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fizKtru7 … plpp_video

thanks but I’m not really having trouble with the injectors, I’m more concerned about the carbon build up in the intake manifold. When I cleaned the EGR, it was bad in there.

[college man]

I see your point. I figured while you were at it you might as well clean
it all. If the intake has that much carbon than theres a good chance
that your intake valves and combustion chambers are full of carbon.
keep us posted

[Matt]

What kinda car? Year/make/model/engine/trans etc.

[EricTheCarGuy]

To be honest cleaning the intake won’t help the ‘carbon’ problem as this is a normal occurrence mainly due to the action of the PCV system. Don’t go thinking you can remedy it by replacing the PCV either because as an engine wears it gets more ‘dirty’ and as a result you will have the increased carbon buildup in the intake, you may clean it today but it won’t be long before it’s right back to where it was before you cleaned it. I’m not saying you shouldn’t try I’m just trying to keep your expectations in check. That said personally I like to use my professional set up for injection cleaning as it works pretty well although it doesn’t address the intake beyond the area in front of the intake valve which to be honest is the most important place. Aside from removing the intake and cleaning it by hand there is little you could do I’m afraid. BTW expect to clean your EGR ports about every 60K on some vehicles as it’s almost like a maintenance item.

[hbvx]

^For some of the reasons listed; along with occasional (read; once a year/before oil change) throttle body/plate cleaning, I like to use top-end foam cleaner to soak in the Combustion Chamber.

(bearing in mind an idle flush additive or enough chemical via intake/vacuum ingestion, etc, all add some sort of solvent or detergent type of cleansing to the oil in the engine and it is best to change your oil after. another reason only to do such ‘tune-ups’ once in a while; lastly enough carbon to be expelled may mean your spark plug(s) could get nuked or worst case perhaps even an 02/LAF sensor gets caked with carbon during expelling even if the chemical itself is ‘safe’, these may also generate a troubleshoot code temporarily so dont be alarmed it usually clears up but if not…might be a plug or sensor was napalmed)

Ironically, some PEA containing Fuel System Cleaners like the techron may ‘clear up’ an 02 sensor close to the exhaust on block itself if the detergent/unburnt portion survives combustion; app dependent.

Of course, some try to do the catch can thing with regards to the PCV system, but I believe by law in some states you have to keep that system closed for emissions(only legal for off-road etc.) so check with your state. Depends on your PCV ‘catch can’ design/style. Some guys are out there with a tiny filter over a vacuum line…yeah, cleaner intake but at what cost? At least keep your crankcase breathing or you will have oil related issues.

Just to reiterate, ‘just’ before an oil change. No sense in adding various chemicals directly ingested, and then driving 5,000 miles with the crud suspended let alone if you used a solvent cleanser to have the potential of decreased wear protection such as viscosity hit/flashpoint lowered. I prefer non-solvent; ester type additives myself and/or ones that specify safe for rubbers/seals and what not. Of course, this is for older TB styles without the DBW setups, etc. Even MAF equipped call for the need to be extremely careful with a CC cleaning product ingested via the TB(of course, it’s a waste to use a vacuum tube if it only feeds one bank of cylinders)

Your apps may vary.

[AccordinGB]

Myself, when I saw all that gook in the intake I scraped it out with a putty knife (103K on the clock), then sprayed the intake clean with brake cleaner.

I then installed an oil catch can, which is working well. It has a clear hose on the side that shows how much oil is collecting in the can.

[John B Kobberstad]

[quote]Quoted From AccordinGB:

Myself, when I saw all that gook in the intake I scraped it out with a putty knife (103K on the clock), then sprayed the intake clean with brake cleaner.

Brake Cleaner?????? Carb cleaner would be a much better choice of cleaner.

[Author]

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