I have it off for new seals and it is a bit munged up inside from CCV deposits (I guess). Should I leave as is or clean it out and if so how?
I would leave it be. As long as it's not full of dirt it's fine.
To properly clean it would be very difficult. You would have to degrease the hell out of it, flush with water, degrease again, flush thoroughly and repeat as many times as necessary. It is a complex molding with lots of crevices.
Replace the plastic coolant pipes while apart and the vacuum hoses at the end of the intake underneath
Thanks for suggestions, all good. Will just clean out each opening w/solvent rag around fingers, keeping it inverted so any stuff I loosen falls out, and call it a day. Also replace pipes and hoses down/around there.
I just did this a couple of weeks ago on my 2002 330i with 235,000mi on her. I replaced the entire CCV system and cleaned the intake with Purple Power degreaser. I removed everything from the intake prior to cleaning, rinsed with plenty of water, and allowed it to dry in the sun all day. It's now like new.
Prior to the CCV replacement, I was going through a quart of oil every week (500 mi.) I haven't had to add a drop since the replacement. I replaced the hard water pipes and vacuum lines too. The plastic water pipes were a real bear to get out as the ends broke apart in the engine. I used a Shop-Vac and pick to pull out all the plastic bits and o-rings. It was quite the job but well worthwhile.
Just did my Disa and tried to clean the caked on residue inside my intake manifold with carb cleaner with no luck.
Anyone think of using seafoam to clean it? Taking the manifold would be a pain but a good idea as you dont want to be burning that residue.
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