Air Intake Silencer Help

[RunningForNow]

Hi Everyone, sorry if this sounds like a noob question, but I discovered something very peculiar today. I took the air intake hoses and air intake silencer apart to give the MAF a good cleaning, as my CEL came on last night driving home from a 5 hours trip, so I figured I start with the easy and cheap stuff (plugs and wires are on their way tomorrow, I'm waiting for my OBD II scanner to be delivered today). While this is the first time I learned the part is called an air intake silencer (a box between the actual air box and the air intake, joined by hoses on either end), I noticed some old motor oil started to run out of it. I mopped up about 1 oz of what appears to be pretty old motor oil as I tilted the air intake silencer in all directions. it's all coming out of the opening that the hoses are attached to.

I shook it and didn't hear any sloshing, so I assumed I've mopped up most, if not all of it. This can't be normal, can it? I can't think of a reason any oil should ever exist in between the path of air box and air intake. This is a 5VZE engine on a 2001 4Runner with 182k miles. I attached some photos for reference.

TIA for your help and suggestions!

 

[gamefreakgc]

Chances are your PCV valve is clogged or inoperable. There's a hose that goes from the driver's side valve cover to the air intake, this hose is only supposed to draw clean air. If the PCV valve is stuck, it switches around sometimes and you get oil vapor going into the intake.

Replace the PCV valve on the passenger's side valve cover, as well as the grommet (will probably dissolve once you take the PCV valve out). Should not cost you more than $5 for both parts.

 

[RunningForNow]

Chances are your PCV valve is clogged or inoperable. There's a hose that goes from the driver's side valve cover to the air intake, this hose is only supposed to draw clean air. If the PCV valve is stuck, it switches around sometimes and you get oil vapor going into the intake.

Replace the PCV valve on the passenger's side valve cover, as well as the grommet (will probably dissolve once you take the PCV valve out). Should not cost you more than $5 for both parts.

Much appreciated! Cheap fixes, I like the sound of that. After I get the code scanner, hopefully I’ll have a better idea what the cause(s) is/are. I assuming what I discovered could be a part of it.

Thanks again!

 

[gamefreakgc]

Much appreciated! Cheap fixes, I like the sound of that. After I get the code scanner, hopefully I’ll have a better idea what the cause(s) is/are. I assuming what I discovered could be a part of it.

Thanks again!

A clogged PCV valve wouldn't throw a code on its own since it has no sensors, but could cause other things like unmetered air into the system.

If you can post up the code we can hammer down if it's related or not.

 

[RunningForNow]

A clogged PCV valve wouldn't throw a code on its own since it has no sensors, but could cause other things like unmetered air into the system.

If you can post up the code we can hammer down if it's related or not.

So I got the scan tool, and went to work right away. The one and only stored code was a P0770, shift solenoid E. So it’s transmission related. I haven’t noticed the grand mission shifting any differently or worse. Any idea how involved the job is to replace? Again, thanks!

 

[BigIron53]

Welcome to the p0770 club. It sucks here. So, I’ve had a p0770 code since I had my tranny rebuilt with. New tc, upgraded valve body and clutch packs. It telling you that your torque converter (tc) is not locking up properly or at least not telling the cpu that it is. I’m sure there are smarter people than I on here that can get deeper in to it. Any way, I’ve had the solenoid replaced (it’s in the valve body). Had all kinds of troubleshooting done, and still have no answers.

 

[jgue467]

I would clear the 770 and see if it returns (maybe you already said that) but mine issued that code several years ago, cleared it once and (knock on wood) it has not returned and all is fine. Luck. :cowboy:

 

[RunningForNow]

Thanks all. I got my truck back yesterday after the shop did a thorough transmission flush, and replaced the fluid with synthetic fluid. It’s a shop I trust very much, and the owner is a friend, so he said he and his guys couldn’t find anything wrong with it, especially after a test drive for 50 miles (he lives out of town, and I told him he could). He cleared the codes and said the TC, transmission, solenoids are all in very good shape, and no metal particles in the transmission. Like most of you said, it could be a fluke. He owned a 3rd gen as well before, so he has a good point of reference as to what is normal, and what isn’t.

So, car is back. Running as well as before. We shall see if this code pops again. Thanks again for the help!