Annual plenum pull....knucklebuster as usual

[Dabizzo1]

Well, I decided to devote yesterday to doing my annual plenum cleaning and vac/fuel line inspection. While I was down there, I replaced the only remaining original white top injector (I have all purple tops now)that ohmed fine when cold (11.1), but ohmed in the mid 20's when hot, causing a wobble at idle. After depressurizing the system with the gas cap off and the 15A fuel pump fuse out, I began the disassembly. Where the first time I did this a year ago took me half a day, I had the plenum off in 45 minutes without a single cut to my hands....the cuts came during reassembly. My findings were as follows. 1) IAC was still clean inside and since I recently replaced the whole egr system, all valves and solenoids were spotless as well. 2) The plenum had the usual oil residue(not much)within, but what amazed me was the carbon buildup in the 90 degree corner from the egr line...I had to do more chiseling...after only 1 year...Dennis was right to say the accumulation of carbon there is fast. That was the only cruddy spot in the plenum. 3) injector # 4 came out with my usual approach...3 mini flatheads on the edge to pry out...it's a dead soldier anyway, so cracking the top didn't matter. As before, I used vaseline on the NEW orings and purple top to insert it into the rail. Just to be super duper safe to prevent hydrolock as many have been subjected to recently, I used heavy paper towels rolled into narrow strands to insert into the injector hole down into the lower manifold to soak up excess fuel that may have seeped down. there wasn't much fuel down there thanks to depressurization. It worked like a charm until the towels came up bone dry...I also did my VOODOO NO HYDROLOCK DANCE in the driveway...thank god my wife loves me...lol. I also pulled plug # 4 which was bone dry and let the whole system air dry for 4 hours and also to allow any residual fuel to seep past the cylinder walls...overkill I know, but there have been too many failures recently on the forum. I know ideally the rail should come off, but of course, that involves more surgery. All my injectors are new and I pray ethanol doesn't hit New Orleans anytime soon. I'll get an oil and filter change later this week.4) All my harness were aok, except for the plug splitting off of the injector #2 harness for a temp sensor in the block,,,I cut it off and replaced it with new hardware...good as new. One of the vac lines going into the throttle body had a split, so I replaced it as well. Reassembly was fast except for those damn oem hose clamps...my hands look like a racoon's scratch post. I started her up with the IAC set to 2.5 turns from close and let the car warm up. Perfect idle at 675 (no load). I began at 12pm and finished up at 9pm. It was worth it to save the $1100.00 dealer cost to just have 1 injector done, without fixing harnesses and hoses with care. My 14 year old Q runs like a champ again. It has taken me almost 2 years and mucho $$ on oem parts, but with the exception of imminent transmission service or replacement these cars are subject to, I'm good for a long time on any major surgery. I will simply do an annual transmission flush (or every 10k) to prolong its life with lubegard to boot. It still shifts like a champ since my pan drop a year ago, so Ill keep my fingers crossed and avoid heavy load take offs from the line. My wife now likes to ask for my car keys instead of taking her 4runner...that's coming from someone who frankly, doesn't care whether I'm restoring a Q or a Yugo...I love my Chariot of Doom. Thanks again to all the regulars on this forum that are crucial to keeping a very cool and unsung car running (Maxnix, Q45Tech, Wes, Jesda, QShip96, 3QJay, and many more)...your info is always spot on.

Boris

[maxnix]

Good job. Now I have to go complete mine and start another.

[qship96]

Brian, what are you doing? injectors?

[AlabamaDan]

Good Job. I have to replace #4, but I'm intimidated. Did you have alot of experience before you started your first time?

[maxnix]

Brian, what are you doing? injectors?

No, plenum R&R. Still on petroleum here.

[maxnix]

Did you have alot of experience before you started your first time?

Dan, no one does. That's why there are Plenum Cherrys.

It's like sex and swimming, you can talk all you want about it, and forethought can certainly be advantageous, but in the end you just have to dive in and do it. A digital camera is invaluable (along with the NICO posts) if you use them both.
Modified by maxnix at 9:09 PM 7/16/2008

[Dabizzo1]

Dan, I started to restore my car in 12/06. I would log on to this forum months before I bought one. I have been working on cars since I was a kid as a hobby, but were it not for the info on this site, there is no way I would know the specifics to properly fix a Q without destroying it. Since you have # 4 to do, pull the plenum and take your time. Dismantling and assembly are easy...depressurizing and preventing hydrolock are the scary but crucial part. Everything else is nothing more than replacing lines and checking harnesses. Boris
Modified by Dabizzo1 at 10:12 PM 7/16/2008

[AlabamaDan]

...Dismantling and assembly are easy...

This is what I was concerned about.

...depressurizing and preventing hydrolock are the scary but crucial part.

But now that I've read more, this really scares me!