I am going to have some time to spend for working on the car. What would be the cheapest/quickest way to get rid of the carbon buildup - water, sea foam or pulling the heads? I must have lots of gunk down there, judging by the amount I shoveled off the inside of the manifold.

 

Sea foam.

~Alex

 

Seafoam, multiple times with 1 week interval.

 

I've also had good luck with Chevron Engine Deposit cleaner. However this was more for carboned up valves.

 

cant you take your air filter off and lightly... LIGHTLY spray (with a hair spray water bottle) in the TB with water... basically steam cleaning it

heard it from someone

 

I wouldnt do that. It wont wash anything off, and enough of it will probably cause your engine to skip a few detonations.

 

Not to mention you've also get it all over your MAF.

 

He probably meant the air filter assembly...

 

It is interesting how quickly IACV gets plugged with black powder!
Every time I open it up, there is some of that nasty powder in there.
Oh boy, things get dirty down there in the engine belly...