MADpa2006 said:
I'm just not sure they'll take the time to clean things up and be extra careful not to let debris get down those intake ports
I cannot speak for all mechanics - but I go the extra mile to pre-clean, clean, and post-clean (as best as practical - I'm on your dime ... ). If the motor is exceptionally clean, I make it cleaner than when it came in. If the motor is nasty - I clean it enough so
I can remain as clean as possible. IE: The more you care, the more I care
Every mechanic is (or at least should be) concerned about the ports - though some more than others. It's not the end of the world if something falls in them. Metal can be retrieved with a magnet - other large debris with needle nose pliers / shop vac. Anything that slips past the valves into the combustion chamber can generally be retrieved via the spark plug hole.
MADpa2006 said:
1. Is there anything special I can do to prevent dirt/debris from falling/getting into the intake ports when I remove the intake manifold? Other folks doing this job indicate acorns, mice nests, etc. under there. Again, super concerned about stuff falling into those and causing deeper issues down the line. Shoot, had I known this knock sensor deal I would have bought an 07 after they moved them!
Use a compressor and air wand to blow off the engine before removing anything. As you remove parts, blow off the engine again. After pulling intake, like ms38w said, plug the ports (on the head - not the intake itself) with decent shop towels. Do your cleaning. Then before your done, blow off / vacuum the top of the engine and ports before pulling the towels out. I personally like to take a shop towel wad it up to the size of the port, then take another shop towel and and wrap it around the wad (as to have a smooth surface) and stuff it in the port with the smooth side up so I can see if any debris in around the towels before I pull them - I'm just anal like that though.
Don't over stress about debris falling into the intake. Stuff like dead bugs, dust, etc. will not hurt anything falling into the port. Stuff like acorns, nuts and bolts, or other hard or incombustible material could cause problems. Like I said, you should be able to retrieve anything with a magnet or needle nose pliers and or a vacuum.
MADpa2006 said:
2. These foam spacers everyone is talking about removing and junking - where are they? between the intake manifold you remove and the sensors? If so, anyway to get them out before removing the manifold and getting a vacuum between there to remove debris before exposing ports?
You will see them when you remove the plenum. Leave them or toss them - it's up to you.
MADpa2006 said:
3. How does one manually turn the engine so as to close the ports for a real good cleaning of the intake ports once exposed? Once I start manually turning the engine to close these ports is there an expected sequence to them closing (will be hard to tell which one os clsoing if I have rags stuffed in all of them !!!)
There is a big pulley on the front of the engine, centered at the bottom. Inside the pulley is a large crankshaft nut. Use a breaker bar and socket and you will be able to turn the engine over by hand. Always turn the engine in a clockwise direction. You won't be able to close all the valves at one time. When one valve is closed, another will be open(ing). The Firing Order is 18726543. Cylinders 1357 are on the left bank (drivers side). 2468 are right bank (passengers side). #1 is closest to the drivers headlight #7 closest to drivers seat, #2 is closest to passengers headlight & #8 passenger seat. If you remove the spark plugs it will be easier to turn the engine by hand.
Intake ports generally don't need "cleaned".
Tip: use Brake parts cleaner to clean the engine with - unless your in California, in which case you will likely get cancer
It evaporates quickly and does not leave a residue behind. If you are not used to it, it will burn/tingle your hands - use rubber / latex gloves just don't expect them to last long once doused with it.
Check this video out. I didn't watch the full thing - just skipped around - but it seems to be accurate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=872jlCs2ECQ