Carbon buildup on my plenum?

[mtbtim]

Not urgent. Not unless your MPG's drop or it throws a P0171 code. It can do nothing more than get messier.



Next time take off the whole plenum and tilt it on its side (don't worry the coolant lines won't explode or nothing) and then you can get those hoses off in 60 seconds each. Those lines are the last thing I disconnect and the first ones that go back on when I have to take the top of the engine apart.

Did it the exact same way. Didn't make sense to fight getting under the throttle body with a pliers when I could just unbolt the upper plenum, tilt it up, and then get at the hoses much easier.

 

[atalarico]

Thanks for the help, all. Sounds pretty manageable. Any size specification or link for a recommendation on the hose pliers? I can swing by Harbor Freight regardless because I'm always looking for flimsy excuses to go there (just like most of their tools! jk...pretty good luck so far with them).

Definitely taking note on not dropping the grommet into the valve cover. I learned my lesson on not letting anything drop into there when I did the VC replacement job the first time. Even though it sounds like there's a small recess in there, I'm sure I'd somehow manage to knock it all the way down anyway. I have skills like that...

I am mildly curious if this is the cause of my mysterious disappearance of small amounts of oil from my engine. The VC replacement helped it go from half a quart every month now to about maybe a quarter of a quart every two months. I thought I was losing my mind, but I took pictures of the dipstick to be sure. I'm not holding out for it to be the source, but it would be a nice benefit of an easy fix.

Should I run a rag soaked in something (recommendations welcome; purple power?) through the plenum to get some of that oil? I think I could get most of it just by unbolting the upper and using a rag on a stick from there.

Thanks!

 

[amalik]

Thanks for the help, all. Sounds pretty manageable. Any size specification or link for a recommendation on the hose pliers? I can swing by Harbor Freight regardless because I'm always looking for flimsy excuses to go there (just like most of their tools! jk...pretty good luck so far with them).

Definitely taking note on not dropping the grommet into the valve cover. I learned my lesson on not letting anything drop into there when I did the VC replacement job the first time. Even though it sounds like there's a small recess in there, I'm sure I'd somehow manage to knock it all the way down anyway. I have skills like that...

I am mildly curious if this is the cause of my mysterious disappearance of small amounts of oil from my engine. The VC replacement helped it go from half a quart every month now to about maybe a quarter of a quart every two months. I thought I was losing my mind, but I took pictures of the dipstick to be sure. I'm not holding out for it to be the source, but it would be a nice benefit of an easy fix.

Should I run a rag soaked in something (recommendations welcome; purple power?) through the plenum to get some of that oil? I think I could get most of it just by unbolting the upper and using a rag on a stick from there.

Thanks!

Here's what I picked up from the Alameda/225 location. I had to have a clerk help me there, as I couldn't find these. They ended up BLACK in person after below link has them in orange... but... as long as you have link below you'll be fine (item #, etc).


3 Piece Long Reach Hose Grip Pliers

I'm not sure about cleaning the oil off in plenum, I'm not seeing why brake cleaner, engine degreaser, or royal purple etc would be an issue, maybe someone else can comment as well.

 

[atalarico]

Here's what I picked up from the Alameda/225 location. I had to have a clerk help me there, as I couldn't find these. They ended up BLACK in person after below link has them in orange... but... as long as you have link below you'll be fine (item #, etc).


3 Piece Long Reach Hose Grip Pliers

I'm not sure about cleaning the oil off in plenum, I'm not seeing why brake cleaner, engine degreaser, or royal purple etc would be an issue, maybe someone else can comment as well.

Sweet! Thanks! I think that's the one I go to as well since I'm in between locations at Monaco and Colfax.

Now that I see a pic of them, I'm guessing I put the clamp part parallel with the VC and try and grip the PCV grommet below the little flared upper rib part? Or do I just pull the plastic tube of the PCV out and jam the pliers in that hole and wrestle it out that way?

 

[amalik]

Sweet! Thanks! I think that's the one I go to as well since I'm in between locations at Monaco and Colfax.

Now that I see a pic of them, I'm guessing I put the clamp part parallel with the VC and try and grip the PCV grommet below the little flared upper rib part? Or do I just pull the plastic tube of the PCV out and jam the pliers in that hole and wrestle it out that way?

Basically, the PCV is a horizontal plastic valve that sits in a grommet. On the right side of it, hose clamp off the line that goes to the intake.

you are left with the grommet in the valve cover, and the plastic valve in the grommet.

Put the hose clamp on the rib of the grommet, yank it out.

on your new piece, the valve and grommet come separately (2 different part numbers).

Plug the valve into the grommet, it should seat nice, like pops in.

Attach new one to the valve cover,, connect the right side of the valve to the vacuum line.

Let me know If that makes sense.