Vacuum pipe help

[Saints92]

Hi, currently own a Mk1 VRS with an intermittent EML, with the 17544 fault code. Had a look at the usual pipes next to the dipstick and can see oil residue, so I'm assuming/guessing that the pipe down there is split. Seen a lot of people with the same problem. 

 

Thing is I'm planning on replacing every single pipe in that system (and possibly more) to try and cure this fault and prevent it from bothering me continuously, as I hope replacing every pipe should help keep that problem at bay for a few years.

 

I'm wondering if anyone knows exactly which pipes I'll be best changing, and if they know of either a company who'll sell me all of those pipes, or even the part numbers so I can either track them down or get them from the dealer?

 

I know you can delete this system, but I've seen people have bother with an EML light when the SAI is removed (I imagine that would need to be done?), and I don't really get much opportunity due to work to do much travelling to get that re-mapped out. I've also heard you can fit an oil pick up or something similar? Not overly sure what that entails though. Ideally I'd get rid of the pipes for good, but I'm not wanted any bother with the EML, so any advice would be massively helpful.

 

Also sorry if this gets asked every week 

[YellowCar]

Do you mean an oil catch can? That's one way of getting rid of that stuff down to the 90 degree elbow by the dipstick. Use fluoro lined silicone hose (try ASH hoses on ebay, great seller).

Alternatively you can replace like for like (dealer or cheaper pattern part alternatives), or upgrade what you can to silicone hoses.

If you delete the sai you can use a resistor, there's guides in the how to bits here (also for fitting a catch can and pipe simplification). You can buy purpose made resistors which may be more reliable.

Do you have a running issue or just the code/EML? What's the subtext of that code?

[Saints92]

I have no problems with the running of the car, and the light can come on, get cleared no bother and stay out for anywhere from two days to a couple of weeks. Just seems random when it comes on, although I've noticed its usually about two or three minutes into a drive, when I'm sitting idling at a set of lights, although its not exclusive to that situation.

 

I know someone who's got identical symptoms and faults, and has driven the car for three years now with it and the car seems happy enough, thats not really something I'd be keen on doing myself though.

 

I've not done a huge amount of digging about tbh, just sort of assumed its these pipes as the signs are there.

[Saints92]

Going to buy the Crankcase Breather and the lower Breather from Creation Motor Sport, as a starting point. These seem like the most common ones, and theres a ton of oil residue around the lower pipe t-piece, which the new pipe should replace. 

 

Hopefully this will sort it out, and even if it doesn't, its something that I planned to do anyway 

[YellowCar]

Have you thought about trying a smoke test? Should reveal any leaky pipes.

You'll find the ecu will throw the code/light after so many ignition cycles/miles so it may seem random but really it's just coming around again. If you clear it will often take a few weeks or a few hundred miles to trigger it.

[YellowCar]

Did you read this?

http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/17544/P1136/004406

[Saints92]

Yeah I've been reading up about it on this forum for the past week or two, to try and help me figure out exactly what it is. I'm hoping the fact is seems such a intermittent thing that doesnt affect the performance rules out the MAF/Fuel Pump side of things, although I'm maybe wrong there. So decided the first thing to check was the vacuum pipes. Stripped the engine covers off and stuck my hand down beside the dipstick, can feel a wee T-Piece which is smothered in gritty, oily substance. 

 

So thought I better come on and here and get some opinions on whether I'd be better replacing every pipe I can, remove the whole system or just replace these two parts I'm ordering. As I say, in a perfect world I'd replace every pipe, keep it all looking original but have a stronger type of pipe. Thinking now that maybe replacing these two with silicone ones from Creation is a better place to start, and then take it from there if the fault continues.

 

I'm not hugely experienced on these 1.8T engines though, so thought I'd be better coming on here and asking folk who'll know far more about them than me before spending all my money

[dcstuurman]

My breather pipe, currently being replaced, along with some other hose, vacuum lines and injector cleaning...

[Saints92]

Jings! Hoping mines is similar though, anything else would be a bit more expensive I think.

 

What other pipes are you planning on changing? I think I'm going to slowly work my way around them, although all the smaller ones seem harder to source new parts for. Think I'll have to go to the dealer for them.

[dcstuurman]

On mine some of the obvious pipes - such as the y-pipe - already seem to be replaced by the previous owner. But fuel lines will be replaced too...

[Saints92]

My "Y-Pipe" had been replaced too, but doing it again just for the piece of mind it gives me. Are the fuel lines a common problem with these engines? 

[Liverpool-Lad]

Not seen a problem wih fuel lines?  Usually breather pipes.

[Saints92]

Not seen a problem wih fuel lines? Usually breather pipes.

Was just curious as to why the previous poster was changing them, tbh.

Pipes from Creation due in on Monday/Tuesday, with a roll of vacuum pipe sitting at the garage just incase its needed. Hopefully solve this problem in one go.

[Saints92]

Got pipes today. Phoned Dingbro for hose clips at 11. Phoned me back at 3 oclock saying they cant source me 20mm exhaust clamps..

Job cancelled for another day...

[kentphil1]

Was just curious as to why the previous poster was changing them, tbh.

Pipes from Creation due in on Monday/Tuesday, with a roll of vacuum pipe sitting at the garage just incase its needed. Hopefully solve this problem in one go.

The 2 fuel lines up by the expansion bottle/cambelt cover area have a habit of perishing with age and seeping fuel.

[dcstuurman]

Not seen a problem wih fuel lines? Usually breather pipes.

No problem, but they looked a bit porous...

[Liverpool-Lad]

The 2 fuel lines up by the expansion bottle/cambelt cover area have a habit of perishing with age and seeping fuel.

 

I did have a squeeze of these, very slight cracking but not weeping, maybe one to replace soon. 

 

How much are they?

[kentphil1]

They come as a kit at about £70 I believe

[Leeboy]

I did have a squeeze of these, very slight cracking but not weeping, maybe one to replace soon.

How much are they?

Can you smell fuel if you put your nose up close? Fuel fumes will be the first thing you notice before any actual leakage. Worth a sniff.

Edited 4 July, 2016 by Leeboy

[Saints92]

Culprit found. Now to see how it goes...

[Saints92]

Pipe that goes from the manifold to a small t-piece. Just replaced every pipe in that sequence. Feels more responsive and no EML light so far, and its due to come back on.

[Liverpool-Lad]

Can you smell fuel if you put your nose up close? Fuel fumes will be the first thing you notice before any actual leakage. Worth a sniff.

 

I haven't tried.  Ill give my pipes a sniff tomorrow. 

[Saints92]

Still no fault codes. Wish I'd gone straight for a OCC instead of fitting these pipes though, as I can't get the image of the horrificness of what was inside them out of my mind. Problem is the OCC kit I'm after comes to ~£180 and I've spent too much this month already (these pipes, caliper, timing belt cover, oil pick up, service)

 

Anyone fancy buying some Vacuum pipes? Only done 10 miles with them 

[Saints92]

**** photo but found another split pipe, down the back of the TIP. Was having a quick preview of the deletion jobs while fitting a new air filter.

Car feels even quicker and pulls beautifully. Funny how much difference a small pipe can make.

Edited 8 July, 2016 by Saints92

[Saints92]

OCC fitted. Stealth one to conceal the fact its not OE. Shame about the huge, clearly DIY bracket holding it on! Anyone any tips on how to make a more obscure one?