EGR blanking kit & Inlet manifold cleaning

Bates93 said:

Anyone who says that cleaning the inlet is a waste of time with not very good results has obviously never done it themselves or has done it but just rushed it, cleaning the inlet makes a lot of difference!! And it shouldn't be taking 4 hours :s all you need to do is basically take the manifold off, spray a **** load of Mr. muscle oven cleaner in there, leave it for 20-30 mins then jet wash off, repeat this about 2 times then get some lorry de-greaser in there and jet wash again and the jobs a good one. Secondly who ever buys or has bought a egr blanking kit is an absolute tool!! all you literally have to do it cut a piece of metal, put 2 holes in it and bolt it onto the end of the pipe coming from the egr??? :s

Click to expand...

Using your timings above plus a reasonable allowance for fitting and removing the manifold.....

Remove manifold - 30-45mins
Apply Mr Muscle and leave for 30 mins
Jet wash - 5 mins
Apply Mr muscle and leave for 30 mins
Jet wash - 5 mins
Apply Mr muscle and leave for 30 mins
Jet wash - 5 mins
Apply lorry degreaser - 10 mins
Jet wash - 5 mins
Refit manifold - 30-45mins

So that makes 3.5 hrs. 4 hrs budget time isn't far off is it? The above assumes nothing goes wrong and you don't have to make/replace any gaskets etc.

And then bear in mind that the inlet manifiold isn't the biggest restriction - the build up in the valve pockets is. This requires the head taking off to remove.

So would I purposely set out to clean the inlet manifold on its own - no not a chance as it is much work for no perceptible improvement. Yes I've done it and it made begger all difference.

Would I clean it if the manifold was already being removed for some other job. Well yes I would as every little helps.