is there any alternative to cleaning an intake manifold? other than giving it to a shop to be "hot bathed"?

like letting it soak in hot water with some degreaser or something?

im trying not to spend a lot of money while im cleaning my engine

 

None of the alternatives are fun. I tried engine cleaner, and paint thinner. What worked the best was soaking it in the sink overnight, with a fairly strong solution of dishwasher detergent. Then I worked it over with a bottle brush (single-use; you won't want to use it on a bottle after this).

Even after all this, the plenum (upper-intake manifold) was still lined with "clean" dirt. I used a wooden stick to scape that out; it just turned to dust as the oil was leached out by soaking in dishwasher detergent.

Even though this isn't fun, I recommend you stick with it. Before cleaning, my idle-ups (AC and Power Steering) didn't work. After cleaning, they did (obviously junk got into the vacuum openings in the plenum).

 

Wire bottle brushes in various sizes and lots of cleaner. Mine would have been easier if I had soaked it, scrubbed it and then repeated.

My EGR valve's lower port was completely clogged too. (The little one)
Cleaned that out with a few wires and lots of poking and twisting. I mean lots.

 

You could try sealing the openings and filling the manifold with Berryman parts dip. It would probably take more than the gallon that comes in a can(at $20), but hey, just an idea.

 

The best way to clean the manifold is to remove it and go at it with some carb cleaner, when i cleaned mine i used about five cans, but it looked brand new when i was done. Like was said above, a bottle brush works great, and i also used a long screw driver to scrape some of the heaver crud loose.

 

Dishwasher. Works great. I cleaned my alternator that had oil and grease all caked on it.

Just make sure to run the dishwasher empty after you run it through, otherwise the residing grease will get on the dishes. I havent had a problem with my dishwasher after I cleaned my parts in it.

-edit-
and no, I'm not joking.