tune up tommorrow

[nd_aussie]

ok so i decided im going to pull my plenum tommorrow and replace the plenum gasket, ive heard bad things about taking the plenum off, starting problems and lagging problems(after put back on. I was going to pull it with the engine cool so no warping. I was also wondering what else i should do while the plenum is pulled.

[awesomekasim]

Has it had any maintenance done recently?

If not, I would replace
-valve cover gaskets (intake side is rubber gasket and exhaust side is RTV)
-PCV valves and associated hoses
-Throttle body coolant delete
-Replace fuel lines (5/16" J30R9 fuel injection hose.. make sure its J30R9)
-replace IACV hoses
-spark plugs
-clean all electrical connections

Basically replace all the hoses you see that need replacing. Most will be hard and will break as you try to move them. A lot of electrical connectors might break when disconnecting if they have never been disconnected.

Why is it that you are removing the plenum again? If its just to replace the plenum gasket then i wouldnt bother doing it. The only reason i pull a plenum is to replace dead injectors or fix leaky valve cover gaskets. Take your time and label everything.

[nd_aussie]

Has it had any maintenance done recently?

If not, I would replace
-valve cover gaskets (intake side is rubber gasket and exhaust side is RTV)
-PCV valves and associated hoses
-Throttle body coolant delete
-Replace fuel lines (5/16" J30R9 fuel injection hose.. make sure its J30R9)
-replace IACV hoses
-spark plugs
-clean all electrical connections

Basically replace all the hoses you see that need replacing. Most will be hard and will break as you try to move them. A lot of electrical connectors might break when disconnecting if they have never been disconnected.

Why is it that you are removing the plenum again? If its just to replace the plenum gasket then i wouldnt bother doing it. The only reason i pull a plenum is to replace dead injectors or fix leaky valve cover gaskets. Take your time and label everything.

ive done everything except the vcg, the throttle body delete,and the plenum gasket. yea im just removing it because i want to replace the vcg and the plenum gasket, you recommend to just not do it? i also wanted to check out injectors and so forth

[nd_aussie]

trying to find an autoparts store that has it is going to be a pain

[BigTDogg (MA)]

You have to replace the upper plenum to lower plenum gasket when pulling. Must. And IMO only use Nissan OEM part. It's like $10. Just call your local dealer.

VCG meaning PCV? You can replace those with the plenum on, just a little tight spacing.

You can check injector health with a multimeter, no need for pulling unless you're replacing.

[nd_aussie]

You have to replace the upper plenum to lower plenum gasket when pulling. Must. And IMO only use Nissan OEM part. It's like $10. Just call your local dealer.

VCG meaning PCV? You can replace those with the plenum on, just a little tight spacing.

You can check injector health with a multimeter, no need for pulling unless you're replacing.

no haha valve cover gasket i was just being lazy and abbriviating it haah, already replaced the pcv.

[BigTDogg (MA)]

In that case, yes, you need to pull the plenum.

Definitely do the water line delete as well, as previously mentioned.

[nd_aussie]

ok why def do it then? and ive heard bad things about pulling the plenum. also what do deleting the water lines do?

[BigTDogg (MA)]

ok why def do it then? and ive heard bad things about pulling the plenum. also what do deleting the water lines do?

Make it easier to pull the plenum in the future, for one

It also eliminates small hoses which get brittle and crack and leak over time. No need to heat the throttle bodies unless you're trying to start the car in below freezing temperatures.

Plenum pulls aren't that bad. Just take your time and pay attention to what you're doing.

[nd_aussie]

yea i did one before haha almost i didnt know about the egr 10mm bolts so the stupid thing wouldnt come off so i said forget it and put it back together. but now just as maintance i would like to do valve cover gaskets as well as paint them(the covers haha) and do the plenum gasket as well as polish the plenum

[BigTDogg (MA)]

as well as polish the plenum

Just FYI, that's a good 40-60 hour job. Not trying to discourage you, but just letting you know. It is VERY time consuming.

[nd_aussie]

polishing it? wow thats forever haha

[AchilleZ32]

I've polished one plenum in my life and it will definitely be my last.

[nd_aussie]

haha that bad?

[marty1mc]

On the VCG, just check the exhaust and the half moons before you go yanking them off.. I rarely see those leak unless they have been pulled and not sealed properly. On the intake, while you have that off, also pull the VTC solenoids on the backside of the motor, clean and reseal those as well. Even though I install a new gasket, I also put a very small bead of RTV all the way around (1/16" bead). Since the gasket seal is dependent on the grommet pressure from the valve cover screws, the seal eventually loses grip. You can't tighten the screws once the plenum is back on. A little RTV will solve this.
Also, inspect/replace your fuel lines to you rails, FPR, etc. Most will tell you only Nissan OEM and that isn't a bad recommendation. I used Gates 180 psi Fuel injection hose and fuel line clamps (a must). I have never had a leak.