I'm in the process of replacing my #3 fuel injector and can't seem to get the upper intake manifold off. Does anyone have any tips on how to loosen the bolts on the support bracket, behind the intake manifold. Those that have done the MEVI or 00VI please chime in. Thanks in advance.

 

Patients...Cant really see it, so feel for it with your fingers then put the wrench to it and loosen. I think its harder to get them on but you'll cross that bridge when you get to it.

-matt

 

12mm wrench there brackets holding the intake manifold from the back, there are 2 brackets.

 

Yes, two 12mm bolts holding the mani to the bracket. When those are removed, carefully unclip the clamps from the coolant hoses on the driver's rear of the manifold.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. I felt around in there and know exactly where the 2 12mm bolts are at but can't seem to get my wrench on them. Are you all using the box end or the open end of the wrench?

 

I was able to slip a regular 12mm socket onto the bolts. For the passenger side, I removed the coolant line going into the firewall/heater core which gave me enough clearance to get the wrench on there. If you do this, be very very careful with the coolant hose because the neck of your heater core has likely become very brittle. Mine broke while I was trying to twist the hose off so I had to temporarily bypass the heater core until I replaced it.

 

Don't see many red ones around. Is that a factory red?

 

use a ratcheting 12 mm wrench. Then you wont need to take it off to realign. Then dont worry about putting them back on, unless you plan to take the engine out by holding onto the upper manifold.

 

EXACTLY! When I removed my upper intake manifold for a polishing job on my old '95, I never reinstalled them and never encountered a problem afterwards.

 

If you were referring to my paint, yes, its factory red.

 

i think i used a 12mm deep 3\8 socket. or i used 1\4 12mm w 3/8 to 1\4 adapter on it. anyways im pretty sure i got a socket on there and didnt use a wrench.

I never put those bolts back after i did my swap and i havent encounterd anything unsual.

are you taking off the hood? is it even possible to get into there with the hood on? ive never tried it. just a curiousity question....

 

Taking off the hood? Seriously?

Took off my UIM a few days ago (makes it easier to pull the engine harness), took maybe 15 minutes in total. Support bracket bolts are simple with a 3/8" ratchet and short 12mm socket, EGR bolts are a lot easier if you remove the IACV (3x12mm)...2x12mm bolts, 1x12mm nut, and 1x12mm nut/stud on the front, and you're done.

Then again I don't have to deal with those coolant lines that pass through the EGR, removed those a long time ago, along with the FIC and all that crap.

 

Okay everyone, I got the bolts off. Hooray, right? Well, it still won't come off. It's still attached to the throttle body which is still attached to the factory intake. Can someone give me the proper procedure to removing the factory intake, or removing enough of it to clear the throttle body so the IM and throttle body can come out together?

 

Just remove the intake piping...rather simple, especially if you just pulled the UIM.

 

it takes me like 5 minutes to remove the hood....Im just saying...



But then again I have switched from my stock hood to my CF hood so many times, I could do it asleep...

 

I haven't removed the upper intake manifold yet because something on the drivers side is still holding it down. My guess was the factory intake.

 

Did you take off the underside coolant lines?

 

I don't believe so. Where are those located, exactly?

This is the How-To that I'm using, and it didn't mention removing underside coolant lines: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/443899/2

 

did you remember to unnbolt the egr guide tube?

 

Is that the bolt on the back of the intake manifold, closest to the driver side?

If so, then yes.

 

**** the coolant lines i cut them off and used a brass fitting and hose clamps, afterwards, There simply there for cold-start emmissions anyway **** em

 

Where exactly are they?

 

They are near that Guide Tube for the EGR system that comes up to meet the rear of the manifold.

 

thats what i did to mines.... i cut that that coolant hose goin thru the back of the upper plenum i used a 3/8'' drive with a deep 12mm socket and extension... and i also undid the cruise control crap from the firewall and pushed everything down with enough force that i am not damaging anything...

 

you still have two screws that are attached on the EGR tube you have to remove those first before you can remove the intake manifold. and dont forget to remove the 4 bolts in the front of the manifold and then it should just pop right off

 

go to autozone or your nearest auto store and pickup a haynes manual. Use it to correctly remove the upper intake...Took me two hours to do it for the very first time ever and took me maybe an hour to put the MEVI on...

I just used a vice grip...after getting the clip moved they came off just fine.

They are underneath the UIM on the driver side towards EGR valve closer to the front of the car. There will two black vacuum hoses there. Take off the clips and then they should slide off. It is easier to do when it is the last thing to take off and the first thing to put on.

 

Well since i have one just laying around in my laundry room maybe some visuals will help you out.





The coolant line that is near the firewall will go from the throttle body back by the egr(pic 3 right hand side which you dont have to remove) you want to remove the coolant line that is in picture #2 were the arrow is pointing to

 

Can anyone give me some tips on how to remove the coolant line in this picture. I can't seem to get anything small enough back there to remove the clip that goes around the line.

 

Cut and replace is the easiest.

 

That's exactly what I just did. I now have access to the fuel injector.

My next problem is how do I remove the screws holding in the fuel injector. It seems to be in there pretty tight. Is anybody using any kind of loosening agent?

 

Either use the correct size screwdriver (#2 IIRC), or an impact driver.

Failing that, vice grips.

 

Forget about using a screwdriver, unless you feel like striping those butter brass screws.

I used a ratchet that accepts screwdriver bits. Then while your palm is pushing down on the head of the ratchet, your other hand is moving the ratchet to loosen. Do it this way and you won't damage/strip the screw at all.

Loosening agent is not needed. Do it as stated above, and you'll see just how easy they come out.

 

Oh, and when you go to remove the injector, don't be a and use plier/vicegrips to try and pull it out. I've seen this done way too many times.... Put the two screws you just took out partially back in, then use two small flathead screwdrivers and put them inside the little cavities on the side of the injector. Then push down on the handles of both screwdrivers at the same time and the injector will pop right out! Easy!

 

i'm trying to get my knock sensor off, but i don't have enough clearance to with the manifold in place. is it necessary to actually pull the coolant hoses off as well to get this? can i get everything loose and pull up on the manifold a little to get better access?

 

If u are just changing your KS u dont need to take the UIM off, I did it in about 5 minutes, just get someone with small hands or try and cram yours in there.

 

True. But if he has a 99 CA spec Maxima, the KS is extremely difficult to get too. It's much more hidden and the swirl valve stuff is in the way....