Guys,
I can hear clicking noise around Air Intake Plenum cover area. When I start my van it kind of loud, then later it comes and goes. Noise is not metal more kind of plastic hit plastic noise.
I took the air intake plenum cover out. (please see pictures)
http://www.nhcg.us/images/cars/pic1.JPG
http://www.nhcg.us/images/cars/pic2.JPG

That thing that clips inside cover (see picture 2) is little bit loose.
Does anybody know how tight it suppose to be? Do I need to replace the whole air intake plenum?

Please help ASAP.

Thanks in advance.

Guys,
I can hear clicking noise around Air Intake Plenum cover area. When I start my van it kind of loud, then later it comes and goes. Noise is not metal more kind of plastic hit plastic noise.
I took the air intake plenum cover out. (please see pictures)
http://www.nhcg.us/images/cars/pic1.JPG
http://www.nhcg.us/images/cars/pic2.JPG

That thing that clips inside cover (see picture 2) is little bit loose.
Does anybody know how tight it suppose to be? Do I need to replace the whole air intake plenum?

Please help ASAP.

Thanks in advance.


I've never had a 2000 3.8 apart. However, if it's loose I'd tighten it up. Is is sheet metal? It's not a gasket is it? It's probably just a spash deflector for oil. (just guessing from the pic.)

Regards

Dan

I've never had a 2000 3.8 apart. However, if it's loose I'd tighten it up. Is is sheet metal? It's not a gasket is it? It's probably just a spash deflector for oil. (just guessing from the pic.)

Regards

Dan

Thanks for your post,

I don't think I can tight it up. The loose part is that plastic part that on the first picture sit's inside and on the second picture is out.
It's connected to the plastic cover by two plactic clips (you can one of them on second picture).

Thanks for your post,

I don't think I can tight it up. The loose part is that plastic part that on the first picture sit's inside and on the second picture is out.
It's connected to the plastic cover by two plactic clips (you can one of them on second picture).


Hello

I would take the intake to a Ford dealer parts department or service and talk to a mechanic and see if you can get their opion on it.

The guys that work on these things every day should be able to help you out.

Do you have a book on your van? If you don't goto the Library and check one out.

Regards

Dan

If I remember correctly when I had mine all apart I noticed that it is somewhat floating and not really tight. I doubt that it will matter performance wise.

I have had success using sensor-safe RTV sealant as an "adhesive" between these plastic parts. ... seems to dampen the vibrations.

Here is what I did, I do not know how long it will last but here goes.

I simply heated up the tabs with the old blow torch and pried them out a little, so when it snaps in it is very tight.

Hopefully this will last.

This is just my 2 cents.

By the way thanks all of you for the information on this site. I just completed the 171 and 174 Code fix and the P0401.

I would definitely recommend replacing the spark plugs while everything is apart. I would also recommend taking off the cowl.

Thanks again!!!

I don't know if this would be the same problem/noise you're hearing but I had to have the gasket replaced on my wife's 2000 upper plenum. I had a tapping noise (for lack of a better description) it almost sounded like a valve tappet knock from an old Ford engine.

From what the mechanics I take my nissan to told me is that these go out at 70~75k miles religiously.

On a side note: They also said, at that point, they would go ahead and change the sparks plugs b/c having the plenum & stuff off makes it easier to change the back 3 plugs.