Plenum leak

wlkjr · #1 06-05-2006, 05:46 PM

My trusty steed finally threw a shoe but I think it's worth saving. Noticed I had a small leak Saturday but thought it was transmission fluid as it was low and the antifreeze was not low. My daughter drove my car this morning and it ran hot. She pulled over and left the wounded beast by the roadside. We went back this afternoon and topped off the radiator with water and I noticed a leak coming from the plenum on the passenger side. It did not run hot on the 4 mile trip home.
After 308,562 miles I guess it's about time to do the plenum and gasket repair. I guess I need to do a search and get all the information together on what I need.
Since I'm not familiar with doing this, I'm hoping Bob and others will give me some good hints on what all I need to get to replace this whole thing and get it over with all at once. Also need a good source for the plenum and gaskets.

BNaylor · #2 06-05-2006, 06:33 PM

After 308,562 miles you think???? I am disappointed.

Send me a PM and I'll send you the PDF file with all applicable info you need for the job that I give out to everyone that gets UIM/LIM problems. Free of course.

wlkjr · #3 06-05-2006, 10:12 PM

Thanks Bob. Not sure I understand all involved yet but I'm studying.

BNaylor · #4 06-06-2006, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlkjr

Thanks Bob. Not sure I understand all involved yet but I'm studying.

You are welcome. I am confident you can do the job.

Good luck!

richtazz · #5 06-06-2006, 07:23 PM

YOu can handle it Wally. The first upper plenum I did took less than 2 hours. Add another hour or two for the lower intake (mostly cleaning off the old gaskets). With your mileage, you might as well do both.

wlkjr · #6 06-06-2006, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richtazz

YOu can handle it Wally. The first upper plenum I did took less than 2 hours. Add another hour or two for the lower intake (mostly cleaning off the old gaskets). With your mileage, you might as well do both.

I figured I might as well do both since I had to go that far anyway. Won't cost too much more I don't think to do the whole thing. Thanks for the encouragement.
I did a good degreasing and cleaning of the engine this evening and now I can actually see some bolt heads. LOL

wlkjr · #7 06-11-2006, 09:45 PM

I got my parts in from Rich this weekend so I started the UIM-LIM job this afternoon. I don't think it will ever run again. I mean this thing is torn apart.
I got all the vacuum lines, connectors, and injectors labeled and off. Boy was that a job. I also decided to take the radiator out so I can get it flushed and cleaned by a shop. That required taking out the windshield washer res. and battery because the sensor on the rad. was hitting the battery and wouldn't clear even after loosening the battery.
I got the UIM off without much trouble. The bolts were barely tight, no wonder it developed a leak. The plenum was surprisingly in very good shape, although I had ordered a new one. There was no deterioration around the EGR hole. NO wonder. The EGR stovepipe was completely stopped up. Guess that why it would throw a code occasionally. The upper and lower gaskets were not in terrible shape either although there was some deformation in a couple of places. So much for today.
Tomorrow evening I'm planning on changing the rear three spark plugs and wires and replacing the rear valve cover gasket. That should be a little easier with all this other out of the way. Maybe I can also get the lower intake cleaned up and ready for reinstallation. I'm taking my time and so far I don't think I've damaged anything.
I didn't figure out how to take off the belt tensioner but managed to slide the lower intake off the elbow without breaking it. I think I need to remove it before putting back on. Also I have to get that nasty throttle body bracket off that has the bolt under the exhaust crossover pipe. I managed to tilt the UIM up but think I need that bracket removed to make reinstallation easier.
I figure I'm about 1/3 finished with this job. I've also figured out I'm no real mechanic but since I have a boatload of tools I thought I'd give it a try.
The worst part is my memory is not too good anymore and I'm afraid if I take too long I'm going to forget where and how all this stuff reconnects.

Decipha · #8 06-12-2006, 05:59 AM

wlkjr... im in the same boat as you, i see bnaylor has come to the rescue... lol

if you don't mind bnaylor send me the pdf as well i'd greatly appreciate it thanks

BNaylor · #9 06-12-2006, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decipha

wlkjr... im in the same boat as you, i see bnaylor has come to the rescue... lol

if you don't mind bnaylor send me the pdf as well i'd greatly appreciate it thanks

Send me a PM with regular email address and it will be on its way.

Decipha · #10 06-12-2006, 06:56 AM

PM sent

BNaylor · #11 06-12-2006, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decipha

PM sent

Packet sent. Good luck!

troy1 · #12 06-12-2006, 01:11 PM

Make sure you take your LIM to a machine shop and have it checked. Got mine back today they took .004 off do to warpage Also buy your self a tap & die 5/16 by 18nc to clean off the threads on the LIM blots & threads in the head.

Decipha · #13 06-12-2006, 06:22 PM

thanks troy i didn't know what size bit thanks for the heads up

wlkjr · #14 06-12-2006, 09:36 PM

Day 2:
We had a big rain between 5 and 6 so it was about 6:15 when I started the next phase. I decided to go ahead and change the spark plugs and wires and valve cover gaskets. Boy what a job on those back three plugs but that's all done now. Luckily they weren't in really really tight. Plugs looked pretty good for 182,000 miles. I also got the front valve cover gasket installed. The underside of the cover was a nice smooth med. dark brown. I think that's a testament to Havoline oil all those miles and a long commute to work.
Did a partial cleanup of the lower intake. Don't waste your money on Gumout Carb cleaner. It's not even close to CRC. Tomorrow I'll tackle the rear valve cover gasket and clean up around the block where the LIM goes and hopefully finish cleaning the LIM both sides. I'm assuming that it won't hurt it to wash it down with water from a pressure hose.
What is the sensor on the bottom of the LIM called? I think I need to get a new one of those as the connector is not in good shape. While I'm at it I'll get two new heater hoses also. I may be sinking more money in this thing than it is worth but it is otherwise in such good condition. If I get out for under $400 for the total job that will be less than one payment on a new one. I only use it as a commuter anyway, about a 100 miles a day.

troy1 · #15 06-12-2006, 09:54 PM

are you going to take it to a machine shop?

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