Ok -

I got the whole electrical/vaccum system hooked up last night, and it works just fine.

However, the butterfly's won't always open. Its like it is stuck....

This was assembled a few months ago, before I blew my engine. It really has never opened and closed other than when I first put it together. So, I assumed that it was just stuck.

I took the cover off the MEVI and opened and closed the butterfly's by hand, and they could be opened, but it was really difficult! Also, they wouldn't spring shut.

So I took the butterfly's off, removed the rod and put a light coat of grease on the pivot points of the rod. Put everything back together. The valves would open and close quite easily!

Started the car (set the RPM switch to 2k) and tested everything. It worked, kinda. The valves would open, but wouldn't always close. After a while they wouldn't even open. Now its to the point that I can't open the valves by hand (from the pivot point outside the MEVI).

Suggestions?

 

buy replacement rod and rubber from courtesy

 

Maybe a thermal expansion problem? Does it work well with the engine cold?

 

Nope. After opening and closing it for a while last night, it just kinda gets stuck.

Tried to open it by hand first thing this morning...no luck.

 

They stock the parts?

 

yes sir

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan...e=A32-MANIFOLD

 

Sounds to me like the rod that the butterflies bolt on to is bent.

 

sand down the friction points of the green rod. sand them down a good bit and then lube them up. i had this same dilemma. when the VI would open, it would stay open until i physical tapped the actuator to make the butterflys close. i took out all the butterflys, pulled the rod, sanded down all the spots where the rod comes in contact with the actual manifold, then hit those spots with some household all purpose oil. its been golden ever since with no problems. hope that helps.

--Paul

 

Guess I'll give that a try before ordering a new one. Thanks.

 

BE CAREFUL doing this. Unless you take the mevi back off the car you gotta be careful that you dont drop a screw right back in your new motor.

 

I had it all apart last night. No screws in the motor...yet

Besides, I could open the valves and stuff paper towels down there first if I were worried, which may be a good idea.

 

yeah i usually have someone "spot" me with a magnet if possible when working with the butterflys. if no one is around i use the screwdriver in one hand and the magnet in the other.

--Paul

 

From some posts I've read lately, it would be a good idea to use a thread locker on the butterfly screws. Others have had problems with "ingested" butterfly screws that worked themselves out.

Dave

 

I had the EXACT same problem.. the rod was bent..I took a rubber mallet and flattened my rod out

 

Ouch

 

I had this problem as well. However, it ended up that it was the thread locker I used on the screws. I used just a tad too much and the thread locker seaped its way to the rod where it rubs/twists in the intake. All is good now.

 

Yeah, I was one of those who found out the hard way. I'm going to make sure not to do that again.