I originally was just going to check my coils but upon opening my airbox noticed a large amount of oil through the airbox, K&N Pod Filter, the accordian tube and throttle body.

The throttle body actually had a very nasty build up of hard oil around where the butterfly sits at idle. From what I can tell it was built up enough to block the airflow at idle and most likely the cause of my horrible idle issues.

I also did some work with my coils but I will put that in the coils thread (one of them anyway ).

Anyway, here are the pics.

Cheers

Andrew

 

Some more pics

 

I did the same operation today and found a pool of oil. I'm wondering myself where the oil came from. it was blacken like it was sump oil not fresh.

 

Where did you find the oil? You will see a hose running from the top of the oil filler running back into the engine side of the throttle body, I believe this is the cause of my issue and am figuring how to fit a catch can as wel speak.

I also forgot to mention that I did the coolant throttle body bypass mod as well.

Cheers

Andrew

 

the oil was in the tube where the oil breather lines attach. I also had about 5-10ml in the resonator box on the side. I checked the oil breather lines and non of them looked like they had been shedding large amounts of oil so it must happen over time. I had oil all the way down the std intake to the MAF. I still have the coolant lines conneted so they're not the cause.

 

How many miles are on your guy's car? I'm planning on putting an oil catch can in my car soon

 

I am on 35,000km (22,000mi).

Rotarenvy you are spot on that the breather runs to airbox side of the throttle body. I had it in my head that it was engine side. I dont get why its not! I cant imagine it would make a difference and you most certainly wouldnt get the build up we are seeing.

Which takes me to my next point. I havent driven far or long but the car feels a lot smoother and crisper. Monday will be a better test in peak hour traffic.

Cheers

Andrew

 

its blow back oil.. get a catch can type thing, i heard it solves this.

 

Is blow back different from what comes in from the breather hose?

 

blow back comes from the breather hose. the catch can is connected in between that line.

 

Looks similar to what I encountered a couple weeks ago. Made the mistake of overfilling my oil system and the result was the engine choking on excess oil in the intake system. It was bad enough to cause a misfire and fog the whole side of the mountain!

If that's what happened to you over time, it seems like a catch can is almost a must. I know some owners have not had this problem but I don't take apart my intake system often enough to know how much standard driving contributes to the problem.

Install a catch can and no doubt you'll see some good results.

 

Don't know how it caused by, but Simon told me that it can naturally happen in high G situation, ie track and suggest me to have a catch can.

But it never happens to me, I check (but not taken to the butterfly I must admit) ... not there.

I will take it down when I am free, clean it and put a catch can in it, since Simon & Craig worked out where to put it without putting a puff of black smoke in my face.

 

Keep us posted on this guys.

I might have to get my guinea pig DIY mechanic to check his, so I can then ply him with bribes and get him to check mine, lol. (He knows who he is... ).

 

Andrew, What did you use to clean your throttle body.

I paid to have it cleaned last year.

 

By the time I got to clean the Throttle body it was late and there wasnt anywhere open thathad some degreaser so I used some 240grit sandpaper. Its not something you want to be doing often. I suggest you use degreaser and some elbow grease.

In fact this is the second time I have had this done. Simon (ProMaz) did this for me when he changed my faulty spark plus 18 months ago. It now something I will be doing every 6 months to try and catch it before it gets bad.

I think I am going to rename the read to be a little more relevant...Like "Make sure you clean your Throttle body regularly".

Cheers

Andrew

 

Wow!
Check the matching pic in my thread

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/plugs-coils-131681/

 

hmmm repeat pattern is emerging. Hadn't thought of checking the O2 sensor. Will have to wait until next week.

 

Don't worry. The O2 sensor will trigger a CEL
I used my Scan Gauge II to get the code, information on-line to interpret it and experience of the forum members to settle on the O2 sensor as the most likely culprit.
When I installed my catch can I never cleaned out the intake so the fluid was probably there for some time...
This time I cleaned it out.

 

One day I had my hood up, and I reved up the engine while parked. After my catch can is a breather. I could see a fine mist appear as I reved the car. Shortly after I realized it was oil vapors escaping. I didn't realize it could happen just reving at idle.

That vapor condenses in your intake and causes the puddles you see.

 

The CEL would be throw when it started getting readings outside its tolreances. To me preventative is better than reactive, so I would like to at least get it out and have a look. Having said that I dont know how hard it is to do.

As for the vapours, it should have occured to me as I have seen what you (mysql101) are talking about on one of the turbo'd cars here. I am looking at a catch can as we speak and will be installing it asap.

Cheers

Andrew

 

I'm curious.
What would you check?
My CEL came on right at start-up in open loop so I guess you could measure the resistor.
I don't think taking it out is required to take measurements and I don't think there is anything to see anyway.
Taking the thing off requires removing the two 10mm bolts holding the guard and then the unit itself. If anything is stuck you'll have a struggle. A hoist is a huge help.

I hear you on prevention. That's why I changed out the coils.

 

Based on this quoteUndercoating, antifreeze or oil on the *outside* surface of the sensor can kill it. I figure that checking for contaminents, ie oil, would be a good start.

I admit that I havent checked what sort of effort it would be, but heck, you never know until you try.

Cheers

Andrew

 

How did you get the butterefly to stay open?

 

He is holding the valve with his finger on the other side.

 

thread resurrection!

Cleaned my throttle body recently using brake cleaner. It was pretty dirty again.
Must remove the TB to prevent any crap from getting into the UIM
Also it's a good idea to clean out the UIM behind the TB.
And clean the accordion tube while it's out.