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Noticed the scuttle was raised and full of mulch, so took it off to give it a proper clean. I've got a ton of work to do, so naturally I avoided that by giving the engine bay a bit of a clean and did some vacuuming too. I did notice in the passenger footwell there was some fresh water, but I did take the pollen filter out so it didn't get wet when I cleaned around there and might just have had some water get around my hastily placed bubble wrap. Such a pain getting the shroud on around the filter, but it's probably fine. I'll find out the next time it rains.

Trying to find a week I don't have meetings on so I can clean the inlet manifold. After lamenting how crappy my car looks, the next day it decided to punish me by stalling and then not wanting to start. I've noticed on cold starts - especially when I've not driven it for about a week - that I'm getting black smoke and no power. Could be the injectors dying, but they're fine the rest of the time, so the only other likely thing that would cause that is lack of air.

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This is how it looked about five years ago when I took the EGR off to clean it, so it's probably worse now. Helpfully, the manifold is bolted to the back of the engine block, with the EGR cooler bolted to that, so no access and heat-cycled allen bolts. What could go wrong? People who've been around a while will know how long I've been fannying about on this, so feel free to throw a 'just f**king do it' my way.

Anyone else had a job get inside their head like this? At least if it goes well I'll be pleasantly surprised, and if I end up with six snapped bolts, I won't be surprised...


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Helpfully, the manifold is bolted to the back of the engine block, with the EGR cooler bolted to that, so no access and heat-cycled allen bolts. What could go wrong? People who've been around a while will know how long I've been fannying about on this, so feel free to throw a 'just f**king do it' my way.

Anyone else had a job get inside their head like this? At least if it goes well I'll be pleasantly surprised, and if I end up with six snapped bolts, I won't be surprised...

Trying to remember how I did mine. Hardest part was definitely getting the EGR valve off. Absolute pain getting to that bottom bolt.

The only bolts I'd worry about are the three little ones holding the EGR cooler on as they can round out, the ones in the head were easy by comparison.

Not a fun job but it's sounding like it's not getting the air it needs. Just buy a spare inlet manifold so you have one clean and ready to go and just f*****g do it 👍
 
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Trying to remember how I did mine. Hardest part was definitely getting the EGR valve off. Absolute pain getting to that bottom bolt.

The only bolts I'd worry about are the three little ones holding the EGR cooler on as they can round out, the ones in the head were easy by comparison.

Not a fun job but it's sounding like it's not getting the air it needs. Just buy a spare inlet manifold so you have one clean and ready to go and just f*****g do it 👍
best way is to remove the metal elbow with egr than try that bolt again its allot easier and you can clean the elbow also, refit with copper grease
 
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Manifold bolts arrived from Darkside today, so it looks like it'll be happening sometime soon. At least if one snaps, I'll know how much sadness I can expect when it comes to getting the remains out... They're going for stupid prices on eBay - more for one bolt than I spent on all six from Darkside.

Had the same problem yesterday - there have been a few times where I can have my foot firmly on the floor trying to keep the engine alive but nothing's been happening. Was lucky I could pull into a parking space on the side of the road, but it was literally choking, sputtering etc. It didn't die, but when it came back to life, there was a lot of smoke and then back to business as usual.

Fortunately, I've had the EGR off a few times hunting down boost leaks, so I'll be wrapping my knuckles in plasters in anticipation. Even if it's not anything on the intake side, I can't do any harm giving it all a good clean, and it'll narrow things down.

All told, I owe it some TLC. I haven't done much to it since I polybushed everything, did the shocks and put in the rear ARB. Makes me realise how much I love this bloody car - went out after the rain the other day and it was slippery as you like. Tried as hard as I could to get the back end to step out on this (totally private, officer) slip road, and it just would not let go. No understeer either. This car is still a beast.

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Could I just have one year without a leak? Looks like I'll be butyl-ing my pollen filter tomorrow... Only cleaned the scuttle out on Tuesday too - that'll all be coming apart again.

One day I might be able to do something that somehow improves performance. Instead it's all leaks - doors and scuttle leaks, suspicious-looking oil on undertray, vacuum leaks, boost leaks, tyres leaking air...

Still love it. What can you do? You all know what I mean. I'm going to be that old guy in a clapped out car, because unless I have to scrap it or it's in an accident, I can't see myself letting it go. I've had it since 2008 and it knows too much about me.


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