CRD intake manifold cleaning thoughts

Hi all,

I'm in the process of pulling my engine apart (to get the injector pump) and noticed that there was a fair bit of soot after the EGR volume control valve. My BEAST has been remapped and the EGR has been disabled at a software level but it was interesting to see that the valve doesn't completely close, there's a hairline gap which still allows exhaust gas (soot) to enter. I'm definitely going to implement a couple of EGR blanking plates when I put it back together, but I was also wondering how people go about cleaning the manifold. Will de-greaser and a toothbrush do the trick?

Attachment 87029

Thats not bad at all. I'd leave it. My old Di was choking when I did mine. I removed the entire manifold and sprayed brake cleaner in it, came up a treat.