Made a simple smoker to recently solve a very persistent, emissions-related, CEL on the sled. Then used it to smoke the intake + motor and discovered more than a few vac leaks.
The first was the oil dipstick tube o-ring. It had been in there long enough to harden and shrink. Replaced with new and now it seals well.
The second was an original rubber elbow, that had cracked on the inside of the 90° bend and being black was difficult to see. Smoke leaked out here, drawing my attention to it. I replaced it with a piece of blue silicone tubing. This metal line goes to the fuel pressure regulator, which is just above the passenger-side end of the steering rack.
The third, fourth, fifth, etc. were all at the plastic vacuum tree. The tree caps were all hard-as-a-rock & brittle, thus loose and easily removed. Unfortunately I didn't have any vinyl caps on-hand that would fit. So I used some small, black silicone hose, doubled over one end, and zip-tied it closed.
One "branch" of the tree had broken off, and in-a-pinch, used a course-thread screw to seal it off. This time I used a fine-thread #6 brass screw + some red Loctite #518 sealant.
I also discovered the square-washer that fits on the vac tree where it slips into the aluminum intake manifold was also hard and shrunk and leaking. It's only held in place by a single 10mm bolt. Unable to obtain the correct replacement 0-ring, I sub'd a rubber one + some silicone grease. Ideally, wall thickness here would be 1.5mm. 2 was too thick, though I might have been able to press it home if I had some silicone grease while at the hardware store.
When I arrived home, I used Loctite #518 here to seal the tree to the I.M. Perhaps another product would be better?
All of these leaks were downstream of the MAF sensor and therefore, un-metered. I have noticed a difference in performance under boost. Also hoping for a bit better gas mileage.
I should have built a smoker years ago.....what a time saver.
The first was the oil dipstick tube o-ring. It had been in there long enough to harden and shrink. Replaced with new and now it seals well.
The second was an original rubber elbow, that had cracked on the inside of the 90° bend and being black was difficult to see. Smoke leaked out here, drawing my attention to it. I replaced it with a piece of blue silicone tubing. This metal line goes to the fuel pressure regulator, which is just above the passenger-side end of the steering rack.
The third, fourth, fifth, etc. were all at the plastic vacuum tree. The tree caps were all hard-as-a-rock & brittle, thus loose and easily removed. Unfortunately I didn't have any vinyl caps on-hand that would fit. So I used some small, black silicone hose, doubled over one end, and zip-tied it closed.
One "branch" of the tree had broken off, and in-a-pinch, used a course-thread screw to seal it off. This time I used a fine-thread #6 brass screw + some red Loctite #518 sealant.
I also discovered the square-washer that fits on the vac tree where it slips into the aluminum intake manifold was also hard and shrunk and leaking. It's only held in place by a single 10mm bolt. Unable to obtain the correct replacement 0-ring, I sub'd a rubber one + some silicone grease. Ideally, wall thickness here would be 1.5mm. 2 was too thick, though I might have been able to press it home if I had some silicone grease while at the hardware store.
When I arrived home, I used Loctite #518 here to seal the tree to the I.M. Perhaps another product would be better?
All of these leaks were downstream of the MAF sensor and therefore, un-metered. I have noticed a difference in performance under boost. Also hoping for a bit better gas mileage.
I should have built a smoker years ago.....what a time saver.