Thinking about cleaning the engine

[Infinitiguy19]

I have 2 gaskests on hand the thottlebody gasket and the EGR gasket.

Which is eaiser to clean the EGR or the throttle with TCS?

Is it OK to clean one thing at a time say the EGR on day the throttle the next and th IAC next week or is better done all at once?

Do I need 2 gaskets or just one because I have Traction Control?

I have never worked on an engine in my life besides checking fluds and changing the air filter (yes I am embarresed enough 19 years old wanting to become a mechanic hopefully for T3 and not having touched anything major just from reading this board and the FSM on spare time).


Modified by ppastos at 11:50 PM 9/4/2008

[Infinitiguy19]

c'mon anyone, I know the title could be a bit more descriptive.

[goody90q45]

Which is easier to clean the EGR or the throttle with TCS?

The EGR is pretty simple to remove. I've taken off a TB with TCS and as I remember I came out bloody. Either component is nothing more than righty-tighty, lefty-loosey and no adjustments or fine tuning is required to put it all back together.

You'll need basic hand tools for the EGR- a 1/4" or 3/8" ratchet wrench, a 10mm (or 12mm socket), and a 10" crescent wrench for the nut on the large pipe to the manifold. When you're done you'll wonder why you waited so long. For cleaning there's tons of posts but the basics seem to be brake parts cleaner, toothbrushes, bottle brushes, a long flexible rod for the pipe and lots of elbow grease. An easy DIY.

......Is it OK to clean one thing at a time say the EGR on day the throttle the next and the IAC next week or is better done all at once?

It's OK to do one at a time and you'll find that the IAC cleaning will go pretty quick also. IAC R&R uses the same wrenches, plus pliers for the hose clamp, as for the EGR R&R. There was a recent thread about it (one of yours?). Get the IAC gasket and do all 3 on the same morning so all the gashes on your arms will heal at the same time. You'll keep reopening your wounds and bleed to death if you tackle this three weekends in a row.

I have 2 gaskets on hand the thottlebody gasket and the EGR gasket........Do I need 2 TB gaskets or just one because I have Traction Control?

It's a long, curvy path through a TB w/TCS and unless someone says differently I think it would be difficult to clean properly without seperating the 2 throttle bodies. I have a TB w/TCS in my shop from one of my parts cars so removal can't be too difficult. Get a second gasket. In fact, get a complete 2nd set of gaskets (IAC/EGR/TB) in case you find yourself needing to take off the plenum at a later date.

I have never worked on an engine in my life besides checking fluds and changing the air filter.........and not having touched anything major just from reading this board and the FSM on spare time.

You've got to start somewhere and all 3 of these components are pretty easy to get to. You've done you're reading so print up instructions and pics, use good tools and have at it. It's not rocket science (I should know).

[captainluigi]

Job well done Mike. Kudos!

Someone must teach the next gen.

.

[Infinitiguy19]

Thanks Goody tommorow I am doing a long overdue Overhaul: Changing radiator and differential fluid

Installing a B and M transmission cooler

fixing the hood bolt that snapped off and installing new hood pistions

Fixing the front right caliper

Cleaning The EGR

Seafoaming the engine (to clean the AAC and see if it makes a differnce)

And fixing a stuck float for the washer fluid resivor (hope its a foat and not a sensor)

Me and my Mechanic and (92Q45Guy: is going to help me install the transmission cooler) are going to have a fun time
Modified by ppastos at 12:10 AM 9/6/2008

[3Q Jay]

separate the tb from the tcs flapper with the three 5mm allen head bolts, but do not mess with that gasket. DO replace the TB gasket (four 6mm allen head bolts).

that tcs tube gasket is adhered on one side or the other with some bada$$ adhesive. it is wax coated so it separates nicely from the one side.

[Infinitiguy19]

Ok I have done one of the above listed items. I have changed the diffferntial fluid and I found some metal shavings on the magnet but it looks like the fluid was changed because the bolts were easy to remove and the fluid was clean for the most part besides the crap on the bottom of the differetial.

But I will do the TB clean right I will get another one clean that and hopefully try and fix the screwed up one. and I will order an IAC gasket.

I will also just remove the main TB gasket and replace that one because on the secondary throttle body it looks like there is red RTV on there and no gasket unless someone could show me where it goes or I might call up IOS and ask them to send me a pic.

I will be doing the transmission cooler tommorow because the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts are a little hard but it could be the TPS or closed throttle position sensor thats off.

[dusred]

The transmission cooler is an easy one. I recently did it on my Q. You just have to pull the radiator and put it between the AC condenser and the radiator. It's about a 1/2 hour project but well worth it.

There is a write up on the transmission cooler install you aught to find it and read up on it if you haven't already.