Ongoing Intake Manifold Saga...

[MBXB]

I finally got my intake manifold off and took some pics:

http://community.webshots.com/album/547573582fsDOsR

I'm amazed at the amount of crap in the valley, especially the sand!
I found the Idle Control valve gummed up, and it loosened up after blasting it with cleaner;
The "rubber" hose that runs from the brake booster was so brittle it shattered;
The cap on the PCV was cracked;
The O rings on PCV tube looked leaky.

I think I've got enough suspects for my idle problems.

...and I haven't got to the PCV assembly yet!

Any advice on what to use to clean the intake manifold?

Check out the pics and you'll see this thick varnish.
I think I'll have to tear the Intake manifold down completely. Supposedly the PCV was 'replaced' at around 75,000 miles. But it was a dealer warranty job, so I don't know what they really did.

Thanks to Stargazer 61, winfred, Bill R, 632 Regal, and everyone else for the write-ups, pics and advice.

More pics when I get to the assembly phase.

[winfred]

when the intake manifold is really nasty (when the pcv plate has been dumping oil) i hit it a few times with engine degreaser and the hose

[632 Regal]

nice job! dont be like me and forget the front plate gasket :D