Engine Cleaning Intake valves with lower intake off

R82148V

Active Member

May 26, 2020

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Mar 4, 2026

#1

• Mar 4, 2026

• #1

Just what the title says.
I have the lower intake off and since its off, I was thinking of cleaning the carbon off the valves. Basically gently using a pick to get off what I can and then sucking it out with a vac. Is this something that can be done, should be done or will this create or issues later?
Should I just leave the carbon and use a top engine cleaner later on? I was nervous going that route since I still have the original H pipe on and didnt want to hurt the cats.

Any ideas?

 

DadLife0724

Active Member

Mar 22, 2024

263

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Cooperstown, PA

Mar 4, 2026

#2

• Mar 4, 2026

• #2

R82148V said:

Just what the title says.
I have the lower intake off and since its off, I was thinking of cleaning the carbon off the valves. Basically gently using a pick to get off what I can and then sucking it out with a vac. Is this something that can be done, should be done or will this create or issues later?
Should I just leave the carbon and use a top engine cleaner later on? I was nervous going that route since I still have the original H pipe on and didnt want to hurt the cats.

Click to expand...

I'd be nervous about not getting it all out with a vacuum. Chunks of that stuff will score up cylinder walls man.

 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

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Mar 4, 2026

#3

• Mar 4, 2026

• #3

Can you take some pictures of the build up and post them?

 

R82148V

Active Member

May 26, 2020

256

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Mar 4, 2026

#4

• Mar 4, 2026

• #4

DadLife0724 said:

I'd be nervous about not getting it all out with a vacuum. Chunks of that stuff will score up cylinder walls man.

Click to expand...

I’m nervous too about disturbing what’s already there an creating an uneven seal.

 

R82148V

Active Member

May 26, 2020

256

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Mar 4, 2026

#5

• Mar 4, 2026

• #5

AeroCoupe said:

Can you take some pictures of the build up and post them?

Click to expand...

I’ll get some picks up as best I can

 

rednotch

I'd like to remain having one chocolate starfish

Founding Member

Aug 14, 2000

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south jersey

Mar 5, 2026

#6

• Mar 5, 2026

• #6

Kind of a waste of time IMHO but forget the pick, grab a handful of long zip ties and a decent chucked drill then twist all but the ends and chuck it up in the drill and let the nylon knock out the carbon... That was the cheap DIY walnut blasting for DI engines lol. Make sure the valves are closed on each cylinder first...

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

8,019

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NJ

Mar 6, 2026

#7

• Mar 6, 2026

• #7

I can't see any reason to actually do this.
If you really want them cleaned, take the heads off and have them valve jobbed.

 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

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Mar 6, 2026

#8

• Mar 6, 2026

• #8

I’d still like to see some pictures. I’m curious if you are having valve seal issues which can be fixed with the heads on the car.

 

R82148V

Active Member

May 26, 2020

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Mar 6, 2026

#9

• Mar 6, 2026

• #9

AeroCoupe said:

I’d still like to see some pictures. I’m curious if you are having valve seal issues which can be fixed with the heads on the car.

Click to expand...

pretty hard to get a nice shot but here are three pics.
All valves pretty much look the same way..

 

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8

86HO5.0

Active Member

Apr 18, 2023

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Raleigh, NC

Mar 6, 2026

#10

• Mar 6, 2026

• #10

That looks normal to me, I wouldn't worry about it personally. Leave them as they are, install the lower intake and run the .... out of it.

 

Reactions: General karthief, nicholase, R82148V and 2 others

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes

Founding Member

Oct 28, 2001

5,842

3,972

183

Claremore, OK

Mar 6, 2026

#11

• Mar 6, 2026

• #11

Yeah, those actually look pretty good. Button it back up and send it.

 

Reactions: General karthief, nicholase, R82148V and 3 others

DadLife0724

Active Member

Mar 22, 2024

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Cooperstown, PA

Mar 6, 2026

#12

• Mar 6, 2026

• #12

Agreed.

 

S

slow84lx

clean it good before insertion

Jul 3, 2005

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Dallas, TX

Mar 7, 2026

#13

• Mar 7, 2026

• #13

Looks fine, run it.

 

Reactions: R82148V and DadLife0724

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done

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Oct 4, 2020

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Mar 11, 2026

#14

• Mar 11, 2026

• #14

I have watched youtuber " Legit street cars " do this a few times inbetween his " face in the camera and his Woo Wooing like a little girl" ...