P1518 COde

I had the check engine light come on and got the code P1518 as the cause. (Intake manifold runner control linkage)
Here is a link to a possible cheap fix. I checked the linkages and sure enough the four plastic clips are all broken. I ordered a five pack of the clips (only need four) for around $15. I read that the dealerships want $15 each for them.
This is funny, the link is to an existing thread here already! LOL. Here it is anyway:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=764861&highlight=47099

Here is a link to O'Rielly auto parts where I ordered my parts (#47099):
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/home.oap?gclid=CI2SoraFh6MCFcNx5QodTE8hMw (http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/home.oap?gclid=CI2SoraFh6MCFcNx5QodTE8hMw)

I have a question regarding installation. In the first link the person said he inserted the plastic clips into the four square holes first, then the linkage ends. Can this be done without removing the unit/device that controls these linkages? Looks very tight and hard to see the back of the unit to insert the clips.

Hi eroosa,

I replaced mine recently from reading posts here. Some here have put dental floss through the square hole and then strung a bushing on the line to line it up and not loose it. Then snap the bushing in place and pull the floss out. When the four bushings are in then snap the levers in place.

I put a bushing on a lever then tried snaping the bushing with the lever in it into the sq hole but broke the bushing. Of course once the levers are in the bushing it expands the bushing but I tried.. Glad there were five in the box!

I then removed the unit to install the bushings. Three bolts I think and ummm, easy to drop. The holes in the unit are slotted so if you do it this way don't tighten the unit untill the levers are snapped in so things will line up. Hold the flashlight with your third hand.

I never got an engine light. I found one lever laying on the engine about a year ago before finally putting new bushings in. I just kept (mostly) the rpm under 3000 so the IMRC would not open. Got good gas milage too!

Waxhaw

My advice is to remove the three 10mm bolts, disconnect the wire harness on the unit and remove the unit. Attach the four bushings, attach the rods onto the unit, install the unit and then attach the other ends of the rods and connect the wire harness and then you are done. This was much easier than trying to replace the plastic bushings with the unit in place. All four bushings should be replaces even if they are not broken yet.