carbon in intake

i was at the junkyard getting yet another power steering pump, and i was taking it off of a regal (with the 3.1) with the upper plenum removed. while i was working on taking the pump off, i couldnt help but notice the massive carbon buildup on the lower plenum. i scratched some off with my finger and it seemed to be at least 1/16" thick. this prompted me to imagine the carbon buildup that must be on my intake (and also reminded me why i hate EGR's). So i question as to wether its worth it to take apart my intake to see whats going on and try to clean any buildup and if i would need to replace gaskets and whatnot.

by the way, i have a 91 with the 3.1 with about 63000 miles.

Whether its worth it or not depends on what you want to do your intake. If you just want to clean the carbon buildup you can get a can of GM Top Engine Cleaner from your Chevy Dealer (Part no. 1050002) (about $3 - $4 a can) get the liquid not the spray; That will take care of your carbon buildup issues.

If you do remove your intake, yes replace your gaskets, the intake gaskets for our cars a prone to failure.

Also, while your intake is off you can do a mild port & polish job on the throttle & the intake - smoother, increased airflow.

Carbon in the intake won't really hurt much, but if it is loosened up and ends up stuck to a valve seat or piston head, you've got trouble. (causes detonation and/or valve burning)

The intake shouldn't really have that much buildup unless the engine it came from wasn't metering fuel correctly, and the EGR charge was real sooty.