Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: 20thanniver-ls on December 16, 2008, 07:07:34 PM

Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 16, 2008, 07:07:34 PM
So i was going over my vacuum lines to check for clogs and deterioration and i noticed something really odd. On the line that goes from the throttle body to the oil filler neck ther was some kind of yellow greasy substance, alomst looked identical to that of butter. Its also all over the inside of the filler neck around the vacuum opening. I checked the oil, and it is fine, i have no idea what it is and have never seen it before. Im thinking it may be some kind of build up, but ive never seen it in that color. Any ideas on what it could be?
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 16, 2008, 07:32:59 PM
Condensed oil vapor. The PCV valve sucks in fresh air from that hose. A large ammount of buildup might be caused by blow by in the cylinders. How's the compression on the engine?
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: Chooglin on December 16, 2008, 07:34:34 PM
its "Parkay"..............lol.I believe that would be condensation and oil mixing together.Ive also had this before.
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 16, 2008, 07:49:31 PM
How bad is it to have that oil/condensation mix, and what do you think causes that? And i have no clue what my compression is, i know that my pcv was disconnected and the filter in the lower intake was totally clogged
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: V8Demon on December 16, 2008, 07:49:38 PM
Your oil baffle in place? 
The cold weather along with high humidity doesn't help any....
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 16, 2008, 07:56:25 PM
What is an oil baffle? I Drove the car from florida in september before it started getting cold here in tennessee where i live and i havent driven it since, just let it idle and up and down the road testing. The oil looks good too.
Title: Build-Up
Post by: 88 Blackbird 5.0 on December 16, 2008, 10:20:38 PM
Quote from: 20thanniver-ls;247802
What is an oil baffle? I Drove the car from florida in september before it started getting cold here in tennessee where i live and i havent driven it since, just let it idle and up and down the road testing. The oil looks good too.


Build-up like you described is really common in vehicles like yours that are taken for frequent short drives; Never being given a chance to really warm up thoroughly.  That's your problem right there.  You probably aren't even getting up to normal operating temperature when you make those short runs.  That's really hard on an engine.  Not good.
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 16, 2008, 10:46:38 PM
Well i always let it warm up for about 10 - 15 minutes before i even take it out of park i know the importance of letting a car warm up especially an older one. Ive just never seen that before and was hoping it wasnt something major - i plan on replacing all the lines so that should do it.
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: V8Demon on December 17, 2008, 02:41:52 AM
Look down your oil fill cap.  If you can see the rocker arms, your baffle is gone/removed.
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 17, 2008, 06:29:08 PM
Does it hurt anything being removed?
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 88 Blackbird 5.0 on December 17, 2008, 06:32:56 PM
Quote from: 20thanniver-ls;247889
Does it hurt anything being removed?


It sure does Buddy.  That baffle in your pass side valve cover is there for oil control.  It's there to keep oil from getting sucked into your intake.  You definitely want to have a baffle in that valve cover.
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 17, 2008, 07:56:59 PM
well i just took a quick look at it and im not sure what it looks like but on mine there was a plate lookin' thing:hick: below the filler neck and i didnt see the rocker arms
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 88 Blackbird 5.0 on December 17, 2008, 07:58:39 PM
Quote from: 20thanniver-ls;247898
well i just took a quick look at it and im not sure what it looks like but on mine there was a plate lookin' thing:hick: below the filler neck and i didnt see the rocker arms


You're good to go then.  Your baffle is still there.  :D
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 17, 2008, 08:03:36 PM
Well thats good to know, hopefully changing the lines will cure most of my probems
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 88BlueBird on December 17, 2008, 09:37:48 PM
Make sure the t-stat isn't stuck open and that the engine is getting up to temp. What you are seeing is very common on cars driven short distances in cold weather. Idling the engine in cold temps isn't good for the engine either and will build up condensation in the engine.
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 18, 2008, 12:01:45 AM
So whats the cure for that?
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 18, 2008, 03:53:58 PM
Quote from: 20thanniver-ls;247942
So whats the cure for that?



Make sure the theromostate is closed when the car is cold (ie the upper radiator hose should be easy to squeeze when the engine is started and the car is cold as no water is flowing through it. If it's firm when the car is cold the t-state is stuck open). Also don't idle the car when it's cold. I drive my 95 all year and even when it's below 0*F in the winter I just start it and drive off. I do start the 88 1-2 times a month in the winter but only when it's above freezing. Plus before I drive it in the spring I change the oil to get all the  out that forms from sitting for 5 months.
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: 20thanniver-ls on December 20, 2008, 04:09:15 PM
Well im going to repalce the vacuum lines today, but im not really sure which ones i should replace, where all the main vacuum lines really are, anybody got a link to a diagram?
Title: Nasty vacuum lines
Post by: Haystack on December 20, 2008, 05:42:29 PM
do a search