Hi ya'll

I'm changing out a knock sensor and the pigtail wiring harness and have a few questions while I've got it all taken apart. (5vz-fe)

Firstly, what's the best way to clean out the intake manifold? especially the lower. They are both unbelievably caked with black shtoof, and despite my valiant efforts to keep any debris of any kind from falling down in, I seem to have gotten all sorts of crud down in there. Best way to remove that stuff, and what to use to (safely) clean everything? I tried to add a photo to show how bad it is, but I'm kind of a luddite and can't seem to figure it out :/

Any recommendations on a silicon or something to use along with the gaskets? if I can't get the Toyota "seal packing 1282" silicon liquid gasket

Opinions on if I should take the injectors to have them cleaned, new filters and o-rings etc. since its all taken out? even though I don't have reason to believe they really need it?

On a side note, or two, there was some (not much, but noticeable) pink coolant under the manifold gaskets, more than just around the ports with coolant, does that mean the gaskets have been leaking?

Also, everything was completely caked with crud it there once I got down to the lower intake manifold. I noticed that the valve cover bolts (the ones only accessible with the plenum removed) were all only slightly more than finger tight. I snugged them up, resisting my urge to over tighten them. I haven't really noticed much oil consumption but maybe I was losing some out of there and it made a big mess?

Thanks a bunch for any thoughts, tips, etc that any of ya'll might have. Sorry for lots of questions in one post, hopefully that's cool

 

I am not a mechanic, nor do I play one on tv. I've only gotten down that far a couple of times...
so-
Shop vac? I used paper towel wads to keep the gunk out to avoid that issue.

It may be superceded, but you should be able to get what you need in the case of gasket stuff. I don't remember needing any, but it's been a fairly long time since I've messed with them and I've done so much since...

Since you don't have to remove the intake to remove the injectors and you have no symptoms...test resistance per the fsm, or do it for peace of mind? I've seen more than a few times that the injectors don't show their naughty side until after they warm up, so maybe not just look for cold specs.

Could it be when you pulled the coolant hose off the throttle body? You'd think there'd be evidence of leakage if it were the gaskets. Otherwise not much coolant-related hoses there, except heater and the ones to the iac under the tb...
Attachment 208380

Attachment 208381
Not pictured- the forward IAC coolant hose to pipe (not attached to intake manifold but to the pipe behind it)- part# 16261-62060
There's also the coolant temp sensor up front.

I noticed my original vc gasket had compressed quite a bit over the years, rendering the bolts loose. Agree do not over-tighten, but consider replacing them and new fipg where applicable. Also new washers. No specs in front of me, I do remember it being in in-lbs. PCV and spark plug tube gasket replace while you've got the valve covers off if you're gonna go beyond the usual tighten and move on (which has worked for many for at least a while).

 

Awesome thanks bunch for the reply,

Biggest question now, how best to, and how thoroughly do I need to clean everything. Like the surfaces to reinstall the lower intake manifold? All I've got is razor blades and brillo pads. Kinda scary using a blade, cause I wanna make sure I don't dig in even a tiny bit. Brillo pads leave all the dust, I've got paper towels in there but there's no way that's gonna prevent it all from falling in.

Also, how clean do I need to get the throttle body and the intake manifold? I can't clean all the black stuff outa the cylinders cause it'll just all go down inside, so is there much point in cleaning it out of the intake manifold then?

Yeah I used used paper towels stuffed don in there too, but a bunch fell into the cylinders while I was lifting the lower intake off. I've got a tiny little portable vacuum that doesn't have much power, but has a hose attachment, I'm just getting it best I can I guess.

I've searched around and can't find what people say I should use for a silicon with the gasket. I have the gasket kit with everything for this, but I see people recommending to use just a tiny bit along with the gasket, around where the coolant ports are, especially if its older and there's some pitting. But as far as what to use or not use I've only seen that Toyota packing recommended, which of course I can't get here.

I went to get a PCV but couldn't find one. The problem is I'm in South America, my partner just flew down here, so I was able to get the knock sensor and a couple things, but whatever they didn't bring down, I can't seem to find anywhere down here. Toyota dealerships don't have anything from these years any more. I went to to replace just the washers for the valve cover, but couldn't fins anything even close.

What is better, a new non-OEM PCV or my old old one? I'm definitely not a mechanic in any form either haha so I just don't know how to guess this kind of stuff if I can't find it already mentioned somewhere on this forum.

I ended up taking the injectors into to get cleaned etc, they pulled out easily and it was close by and pretty cheap. Plus I don't have a wrench to get that last intake bolt off from behind the drivers side fuel rail. I managed to get it with a small box wrench, but wouldn't be ablate properly reinstall it. But now I can easily, I'll just do it before the fuel rails go back on.

Thanks again for the help