ummmmm.... HELP!!!!!! well i took the intake off and got a good look at the plenum gasket. it was shot. squirted out the side in the middle by the # 3 and 5 cylinder. before i removed the intake i tried to remove all the gunk, sand and oil from the mating surface. looked clean before i removed it, when i finally lifted it off there was a bunch of sand and gunk that seems to have fallen on the lifters.... how do i clean that? how can i possibly remove all the sand from the lifters? do not wanna ruin the engine, no money and its my ride to work.... my 2nd big issue is the front 2 intake bolts broke off in the head... completely corroded. barely applied pressure and they snapped, looked as if antifreeze got on them at some point. then rest of the bolts came out beautifully. just the front 2. sucks. now what?!!!!

 

You can either try and use something like a shop vac, with a narrow tube, to suck up as much of the crap as you can, or, pull the drain plug, and flush the engine with mineral spirits, or something similar (NOT water......). I would try both. BEFORE you put the intake back on, make sure you pour a quart of oil over the cam/lifters, so you don't have a dry start.

For the bolts, if you can, cut a slot in 'em, and use a BIG screwdriver. Or, if you can, grab 'em with vice grips. Be sure to be generous with the chemicals before attempting to extract them.

 

+1 on vacuum, then flush with diesel fuel or kerosene.

drill out the broken bolts. don't break the drill bit off in them, or it'll be even worse.

 

k thanks i'll give that a shot... what do i do about the the bolt that broke off inside the head its not stickin out enough to cut into it.

 

well good news. the 2 bolts that broke are out.. the first one was long enough to double nut it and back it out with lots of lube. 2nd bolt was a pain in the ********. i tried to slot it out with a dremel and use a screw driver to back it out. with lots of monkeyin around and tappin on the end of the screw driver with a hammer as i turned it just broke off again...urg. finally i drilled a hole down the center and used a left hand thread bolt extractor to remove. pain in ***. but done. on to next step...

 

i give up!!!!!!!!! dunno what to do. #5 still misfire. i changed the plugs, wires, cap, rotor both 02 sensors, brand new injector, checked compression...at 148-150 psi, tps, and did the freakin pain in the **** plenum gasket with a new thermostat and bypass hose. butt load of money a week later and still same issue. the truck is quieter with the new plenum gasket. i used to hear a large vacume/sucking sound before i changed the plenum. was annoying so fixed that. but truck still runs the same. 4 days after i changed the plenum gasket cel light came back on after 200 miles.... what do i doooooo? i love my truck this is killin me. please help!!!!!!

 

man, sorry to hear you're still having issues...

Q: did you clear the code? Did you reset the PCM?

humor me, and try something if you will... go to 'ye 'ol parts store.. buy some heater core hose... slice it down the side it's full length, and slip it over your wire on #5 after trimming it down to size... reset, and see what happens?

 

well i have that plastic flex tube like stuff over all my new wires to prevent them from being burned and such....kinda the same thing?...and i did clear the code... keeps comin back like a nasty disease. gonna replace the iac valve tomorrow for poops and giggles... im sure it wont do a darn thing. runnin out of options.

 

a strong spark might compromise that flex tube... it ain't getting through that heater core hose...

 

Have you replaced the PCV valve? It'll cause essentially the same problem as the plenum gasket leaking near #5.

How does that #5 spark plug look? Did you route the wires in accordance with the TSB?