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4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 03 Nov 2017 15:25
by David M
For a couple of years now my 4.5 has been running rougher and rougher and suffering from some bouts of pinging.

Have done all the tried and tested stuff like removing chip, replacing PCV valve, etc etc etc. These things have been discussed in depth before.

Took it to Graham the other day and after swopping MAS sensor and distributor among other things discovered this;
IM under resonator.jpg
IM under resonator.jpg (3.73 MiB) Viewed 6643 times
Would seem that over the years the heat from aftermarket branch manifolds has slowly caused the underside of the resonator box between the air filter and intake manifold to melt allowing air in after the MAS sensor.
IM original.jpg
IM original.jpg (3.01 MiB) Viewed 6643 times
Borrowed one from Graham for the meantime but I can see no reason for the box so here is what I believe to be the solution;

1. Cut the box off of the intake pipe
IM cut.jpg
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2. Seal the hole
IM plugged.jpg
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3. Add additional heat deflection
IM heat deflect.jpg
IM heat deflect.jpg (2.09 MiB) Viewed 6643 times
Will fit this weekend and see how it goes.

Moral of the story - If you fit or have aftermarket branch manifolds, ceramic coated or not modify and retain the heat deflection over the manifold.

Re: 4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 03 Nov 2017 16:23
by Bre
I've also wondered what the purpose of that box is

Re: 4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 03 Nov 2017 17:00
by Alex Roux
David M wrote:Would seem that over the years the heat from aftermarket branch manifolds has slowly caused the underside of the resonator box between the air filter and intake manifold to melt allowing air in after the MAS sensor.
So David, does this mean you have been sucking dirty air? and for how long?

Re: 4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 06:55
by David M
Alex Roux wrote:
David M wrote:Would seem that over the years the heat from aftermarket branch manifolds has slowly caused the underside of the resonator box between the air filter and intake manifold to melt allowing air in after the MAS sensor.
So David, does this mean you have been sucking dirty air? and for how long?
Yep and no idea for how long but I think it goes back years.

Re: 4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 07:21
by Alex Roux
Maybe do an engine flush and change oil thereafter

Re: 4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 04 Nov 2017 08:10
by David M
Alex Roux wrote:Maybe do an engine flush and change oil thereafter
I think for once I got lucky. Intake manifold is clean and oil still clear after 4 000 km. Using Delo 400 in it which should clean anything bad out. On previous oil changes my oil has not been black after 10 000 km.

When we replaced the head gasket last year the pistons still looked as if they where sitting in the box, not a mark on the bore and 1 spot of carbon on 1 valve.

Re: 4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 05 Dec 2017 13:04
by SJC
I took my 4.5 to Graham to have a look at it back when I bought it, he still warned me about this...

David what did you use to block the pipe of (where the box was cut off).?


Was busy today changing oil and inspecting condition of air filter..... also discovered a hole.
photo 2.JPG
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Quite a bit of dirt alsready got past air filter..
photo 1.JPG
photo 1.JPG (216.35 KiB) Viewed 6452 times

B.t.w does GUD make an air filter for a 4.5?

Re: 4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 05 Dec 2017 14:56
by David M
To block the pipe I just went to the local hardware with pipe in hand and tried different things until I found a plastic cap that fitted with minimum modification and siliconed it in.

Re: 4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 20:29
by SJC
Could not find a suitable "plumbing cap" but found a grease cap that I made to fit. Was slightly larger than the inner diameter of the pipe.

Re: 4.5 Running rough?

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 21:41
by hugejp
Mooi Fanus!