End-all Be-all plenum thread
Professional
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 108
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Grass Mower! 
Good work with how much you've done. Are the bolts still protruding from the block? Just get a good grip with vice grips. Even spray some catalyst in the threads. You should be able to easily extract that way. For cleaning, brake cleaner is good to spray on and then use a razor blade. It makes a great flat edge. Scotch brite pads are good too, especially if you need to put more elbow into it. Definitely finish with razor blade.
Good work with how much you've done. Are the bolts still protruding from the block? Just get a good grip with vice grips. Even spray some catalyst in the threads. You should be able to easily extract that way. For cleaning, brake cleaner is good to spray on and then use a razor blade. It makes a great flat edge. Scotch brite pads are good too, especially if you need to put more elbow into it. Definitely finish with razor blade.
Legend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,914
Likes: 4
From: Fredericksburg, Virginia
I gotta wonder about all the broken bolts while doing a plenum job. I know rust from snow/salt and whatnot is a factor, but all of mine came out easy peasy.
And I didn't use a single shot of chemicals. I did buy a new can of PB Blaster, and never got to use it.
And I didn't use a single shot of chemicals. I did buy a new can of PB Blaster, and never got to use it.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,413
Likes: 4,214
From: Clayton MI
Basically it boils down to pure luck. I broke two, both front bolts.
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,413
Likes: 4,214
From: Clayton MI
Far enough down that I had to drill 'em out, and then blow out the rest with a torch..... That was fun......
Hmmm I'm thinking I'm going to need to do mine 99 Ram 1500 4X4 5.2L. I've been getting random misfires for months...CEL will come on for a week, then go way. Uses oil but no smoke out the tail pipe, feels down on power; especially when I really put my foot into it.
Sure looks like a blown plenum to me...have no idea when the PCV valve was done last, but I'm thinking that looks like too much oil to be PCV valve related. I opened up the butterflies on the TB and snapped a couple pics.
Sure looks like a blown plenum to me...have no idea when the PCV valve was done last, but I'm thinking that looks like too much oil to be PCV valve related. I opened up the butterflies on the TB and snapped a couple pics.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
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From: Arizona
The truck seems to eat a lot of oil, I haven't been keeping track of what it's actually using...but everytime I check the dipstick it is barely visible on the dipstick and needs a quart or more sometimes to bring it up back to the appropriate level.
The truck doesn't smoke at all, so I'm thinking it has to be going into the intake and probably clogged up my cat.
I've put a new coil on it, new wires, new cap and rotor, and new plugs so I know the issue isn't ignition related.
Maybe I need to pull the whole throttle body off and get a better view down there?
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
Your pictures appear to show the oil as quite fresh and liquid. PCV oil would be kind of brownie, caked on texture. Might try to take your extending magnet stick or former antenna or similar and put a portion of shop towel on the end. Tape it on to old the wad. Stick down to plate and collect some to get an idea of the oil.
If it is plentiful and liquid like that, then it sure would indicate a leaking gasket. If you haven't seen, here is a thread that shows a collection of the plates (intact and blown) to help you out.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...s-post-up.html
If it is plentiful and liquid like that, then it sure would indicate a leaking gasket. If you haven't seen, here is a thread that shows a collection of the plates (intact and blown) to help you out.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...s-post-up.html
Clean, wet looking pool of oil.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/197/95068012.jpg/
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,413
Likes: 4,214
From: Clayton MI
Thanks for the info! I'll have to try that out. I browsed through that picture thread and I'm thinking mine looks alot like this one posted from that thread:
Clean, wet looking pool of oil.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/197/95068012.jpg/
Clean, wet looking pool of oil.
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/197/95068012.jpg/
