Engineering
Jun. 28th, 2008 05:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
johnridleyThe van's been griping for several months, so I figured I'd better get it dealt with before Berzerker. It was just a vacuum leak but it involved tearing down to the intake ports and replacing the left valve cover. I just got it back together. Two pieces of engineering wonder:
1-the baffles in the valve cover that allows oil to be sucked into the PCV valve and into the intake plenum, which is secured with gaskets that deteriorate in the presence of oil. This was the primary problem. Apparently it took about 6 years and three retrofits (TSBs, redesigned valve covers and bolts) to fix the problem, assuming it is fixed.
2-the mass air flow sensor connects to the wiring harness with exactly the same connector and very close to the same place (close enough to cross them) as the windshield wiper motor. I hope the sensor is OK. It probably is, I've started it about 8 times and driven it about 4 miles, I think it would have kicked out a code by now if it got fried. It did kick a code out before I plugged them in right, but I cleared it and it seems fine now.
I also cleaned the mass air flow sensor while it was apart. It's interesting that aftermarket folks now suggest cleaning this sensor every time you change the air cleaner. Since people have reported a very noticeable improvement after cleaning it, and a can of specialty cleaner for it is $6, if it even increases mileage by a tenth of a MPG it's well worth it. The dealer of course says it's not cleanable and you should buy a new one ($150) when necessary.
The parts on this were about $150. Apparently the going rate for this repair is about $400 in labor. It took me about 3 hours.
Oh, and the clothes dryer stopped running. Door switch, $15, 20 minutes.
1-the baffles in the valve cover that allows oil to be sucked into the PCV valve and into the intake plenum, which is secured with gaskets that deteriorate in the presence of oil. This was the primary problem. Apparently it took about 6 years and three retrofits (TSBs, redesigned valve covers and bolts) to fix the problem, assuming it is fixed.
2-the mass air flow sensor connects to the wiring harness with exactly the same connector and very close to the same place (close enough to cross them) as the windshield wiper motor. I hope the sensor is OK. It probably is, I've started it about 8 times and driven it about 4 miles, I think it would have kicked out a code by now if it got fried. It did kick a code out before I plugged them in right, but I cleared it and it seems fine now.
I also cleaned the mass air flow sensor while it was apart. It's interesting that aftermarket folks now suggest cleaning this sensor every time you change the air cleaner. Since people have reported a very noticeable improvement after cleaning it, and a can of specialty cleaner for it is $6, if it even increases mileage by a tenth of a MPG it's well worth it. The dealer of course says it's not cleanable and you should buy a new one ($150) when necessary.
The parts on this were about $150. Apparently the going rate for this repair is about $400 in labor. It took me about 3 hours.
Oh, and the clothes dryer stopped running. Door switch, $15, 20 minutes.
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no subject
Date: 2008-06-28 11:48 pm (UTC)I wonder if there might be the seeds of a panel item for a con - Duckon (home of the Build-a-Blinkie, after all) in particular.
Partly stories just like yours, but also just an attempt to de-mystify the 'black boxes' that are so often repairable with a modest amount of knowledge and effort.
Yes, many of our +/- generation have grown up with this stuff, but the generation below us is inculcated with the mindset that if it breaks, you bin it and buy a new one. With the steep price rises now and on the horizon, maybe now is the time?
no subject
Date: 2008-06-29 03:16 am (UTC)Personally I have found that I just need a couple of assets; first, I believe that everything is understandable; I either know or can figure out how everything works, down to as low a level as I care to get to. Secondly, I am relatively fearless when it comes to taking things apart. I look for "nothing to lose" opportunities; if something breaks and I'm going to throw it out anyway, I take it apart first, if just for the learning experience. Many times I find that I can easily fix it. Heck, I bet half the stuff that gets pitched out these days can be fixed in less than an hour.