DIY Spark Plug and Valve Cover Gasket Replacement 3.0

[Doru]

To Ricky Bobby: the whistle sound IS a vacuum leak. Just for schi*z & giggles, even if you said it looks OK, check again the big rubber boot at the Y. Check it thoroughly.

[Robert Platt Bell]

Originally Posted by Doru

To Ricky Bobby: the whistle sound IS a vacuum leak. Just for schi*z & giggles, even if you said it looks OK, check again the big rubber boot at the Y. Check it thoroughly.

I kept getting these OBD II codes that read, "oxygen sensor adaptation limit reached, Bank X" and thought I needed a new oxygen sensor.

Turned out to be the intake elbow, a $30 part from the online catalogs, which takes about 5 minutes to install. Just a couple of hose clamps.

The little Y that taps off this has a bellows, and sure enough, there was a leak in it, and air got in.

Apparently this confused the modic, which tries to "adapt" the oxygen sensor input, and when the limit is reached, sets of the CE light.

I did end up replacing the oxygen sensors 40,000 miles later, oddly enough, in response to a "Catalytic Converter Efficiency Below Threshold, Bank X" message.

Just because an OBD II code mentions a part by name, does not mean that part is the culprit!

Many dealer technicians fail to grasp this simple point.

[Robert Platt Bell]

The cyclone (oil) separator plumbing (and there is a lot of it) can leak and cause a whistle.

Some have likened it to a "chewbacca noise" when the car shuts down.

I replaced all of that (the cyclone separator does get clogged, over time) but removed the intake to do so.

Some folks (with smaller hands than mine, apparently) claim to be able to do it with the intake manifold in place...

[X5SND]

Originally Posted by Robert Platt Bell

The cyclone (oil) separator plumbing (and there is a lot of it) can leak and cause a whistle.

Some have likened it to a "chewbacca noise" when the car shuts down.

I replaced all of that (the cyclone separator does get clogged, over time) but removed the intake to do so.

Some folks (with smaller hands than mine, apparently) claim to be able to do it with the intake manifold in place...

Chewy usually only speaks on cold-start. There is no need to remove the intake manifold...It'll no doubt give you PLENTY of room to work, but can definitely be done without. Theres plenty of videos on the tube outlining how to do it with the manifold still in place

[Robert Platt Bell]

My big meaty shiitehooks could not fit underneath!

I did the replacement as a preventative measure. The valve part was pretty gummed up.

The replacement hoses are all insulated, which is standard on the cold weather package.

I tried, but for the life of me, I could not fit my hands under the manifold....

And of course, I lost a fuel injector clip in the process...

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by Doru

To Ricky Bobby: the whistle sound IS a vacuum leak. Just for schi*z & giggles, even if you said it looks OK, check again the big rubber boot at the Y. Check it thoroughly.

I have a spare one on my last parts order to install on my garage shelf, I'll replace and check condition just to "rule it out". Checked CCV and looks good, no chewbacca noises and no change when unscrewing oil cap with car running (no paste either under cap), I just changed DISA gasket as well.