I started a project this evening that is mostly a clean up job but does have one aspect that will boost the fun factor a little bit.  I pulled off most of the top end of the car in order to get rid of the oil build up that occurred since putting everything back together at the end of the summer and installing the catch can last month.  It really was astonishing how much oil was getting through the stock PCV system and into the intake tract and therefore the cylinders.  It was only about four and a half months and approximately 5000 miles since I put everything back together in Sept and when I installed the catch can in Feb.  Here are some shots of how oily everything became in that short of a time and distance.

The runner seals were completely coated as was the MAP sensor.  I am sure that was causing some slight havoc with the pressure readings in the intake.

  

The inside of the intake also had a healthy film of oil all over it.  When installed in Sept it was bone dry.

 

A couple shots of the buildup around the intake runners of the heads.  There is so much from around the seals that it is just oozing down the head.  You can also see that for a good couple inches into the intake runner itself there is a black buildup of oil residue.  I am sure that the next time I pull the heads that the pistons will be filthy with oil and carbon buildup.

  

Here you can see just how much oil the catch can has prevented from getting into the throttle body and intake since I installed it less than a month ago.  This is from approximately 600 miles driven.

 

The valve covers were just absolutely filthy as well.  I had tried to do a little clean up on the at the end of summer when I did the cam swap but you can see they are still pretty dirty.  And the inside has substantial buildup as well.

  

So once I had everything broken down I tossed it in a tub and gave it a degreaser bath.  Going to let it sit overnight so it can break all that gunk down and maybe I can get rid of most of the buildup.

 

Unfortunately, as always, I found another problem during the tear down.  Some of the injectors had cracked/broken disks that separate the o-ring from the cylinder.  I am not sure what effect if any this is having on the fueling or if some unmetered air might be slipping past but it looks like I will be upgrading these sooner than later.

 

So enough of the dirty talk.  Here is part of the reason for doing the clean up.  Some shiny stuff to put on.  It’s stainless steel bolts and washer sets for the MAF, TB, throttle cable bracket, TB sensors, fuel rail, intake, coils and coil brackets.  There is also a ported and polished throttle body and new MAP, TPS & IAC sensors.

 

And here you can see a good comparison between the old TB and the new one.

 

Hopefully I will be able to get the cleaning finished tomorrow so I can begin re-assembling the car again.