Request: Hints/Tips for cleaning out dirty plenum ('89-'96 Q45)

[Raxephon]

I'm looking for any hints/tips/suggestions/etc.. on ways of cleaning out the plenum.

And I mean, ocd, like brand new clean.

My hands are to big to get inside the bugger and I don't want to have to modify the plenum itself just to clean it.

(By modify I mean cutting a 1/4" down across the top off, welding in some bosses and drilling out holes in the top plate that was cut off)

The rest of my motor has been uber cleaned and don't want to install a dirty plenum (internally) when the rest of the motor is nice and shiny.

[Q451990]

Lots and lots of brake parts cleaner. I used a drill bit by hand to clean the EGR port - to break up the carbon. A bottle brush helps too.

Here are my results... probably took 10 -15 cans of brake parts cleaner.

Don't worry about the arrow... it's from another post pointing out where the EGR port enters the plenum.



Heath
Modified by Q451990 at 1:18 PM 1/17/2009

[Raxephon]

Lots and lots of brake parts cleaner. I used a drill bit by hand to clean the EGR port - to break up the carbon. A bottle brush helps too.

Here are my results... probably took 10 -15 cans of brake parts cleaner.



Heath

Thanks for the quick reply Heath. That's exactly what I need my plenum to look like internally!

I have about 10 cans of brake clean but I'll go get 10 more just in case I decide to go that route.

I was hoping someone would offer up some notion of a less caustic method than that.

Something along the lines of greased lightning/purple power, oversized bottle brush,etc.....

EGR isn't an issue siince it was driled out and modified to fit the IACV to.

[Q451990]

I tried oven cleaner in my spare plenum...works well, but no better than brake parts cleaner, and it seems to attack the finish on the outside. The outside of the plenum is actualy painted, and it'll look really dull and bad if you remove it.

I think another option would be having a machine shop bead blast it.

Heath

[elwesso]

I used paint and varnish remover (the kind you need to use rubber gloves with) and that worked great! I think we used this stuff at the marina to melt gelcoat on boats or something, it was intense stuff (it ruined the sprayer on 2 spray bottles)

I tried oven cleaner in my spare plenum...works well, but no better than brake parts cleaner, and it seems to attack the finish on the outside. The outside of the plenum is actualy painted, and it'll look really dull and bad if you remove it.

I think another option would be having a machine shop bead blast it.

Heath

I dont know if I agree with that, I think they just left it the rough cast finish it looks just like any other sand casting.

[Raxephon]

BPC, (Brake Parts Cleaner), will take the painted finish off the plenum, but I'm re-painting it anyway.

I used BPC for the valve covers and ended up smelling up the driveway and the entrance to the garage for 2-3 hours.

[Trumpkin]

If you have it off and have a lot of cash take it to a pro to clean and powder coat it. Red! That's the way to go. Then you can pop your hood with pride! Jusy use the money you saved by taking it off yourself.

[Q451990]

I dont know if I agree with that, I think they just left it the rough cast finish it looks just like any other sand casting.

Spray an area with brake parts cleaner and then wipe it with a rag... there's a coating, and it'll come off. Spray it and let it dry and it readheres. Trust me, if you take the coating off, it looks like crap. Maybe it was different on the early Qs?

Heath

[Trumpkin]

I think some years the plenum is different. Color wise. I had a 90 or 91 I got for my 95 and it was different in color to my 95. I think the early one's maybe were painted. Of course I am a newbie!

[maxnix]

I'm looking for any hints/tips/suggestions/etc.. on ways of cleaning out the plenum.

Chemical bath with a little hand detailing of the ports.

About $20

Same for lower runners.

[unknown007]

bead blast it if you can other than that most say brake cleaner.

[maxnix]

How are you going to bead blast inside of the plenum and its orifices?

[unknown007]

Doing it duh!!! Na i meant bead blast the exterior if i can't the inside then will use brake cleaner simple.