Finally tackling my secondary air system problems.

[Scrippy]

Hey everyone,

So I’ve been battling persistent 27B0 codes and now I cannot reach readiness for smog. I have no choice but try and clean the runners. I’ve been putting this off because changing out the O2’s, pump, Y-hose and valves was fucking painful with the engine in. I started this evening and got my scope into my “good” bank 2 runner and it has some carbon buildup but not a lot. I will let everyone know if this solves my problems so you all can attack this if necessary. For now here is a picture of bank 2 with my bore scope. I have only cleaned the first 3” and you can see this in my picture. I’ll post some before and after pics when done. I just pray the individual veins from the runner to exhaust ports are not clogged because there’s no way I can get the headers out without taking the motor out. The results will probably take a couple weeks because of work and family stuff.

Edit:Resolved

[Scrippy]

So I got the Bank 1 valve off and it’s night and day difference from bank 2. My constant error pointed to bank 1 (27B0) and I can see the issue with my scope plain as day. Time to clean!

[amrazM]

what tool are you using to get in there?

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by amrazM

what tool are you using to get in there?

Rifle bore cleaner.

[Scrippy]

So after soaking with Seafoam and pushing my rifle bore cleaner through, this is the best I could get bank 2. The camera now can fit easily through the runner as it couldn’t before, even in my “good/less clogged port”.

https://youtu.be/vORqeuMG7QI

[Scrippy]

Performed the same soak and clean on bank 1. This was the worst of the two and the bank generating the 27B0 code.

https://youtu.be/vORqeuMG7QI

[Scrippy]

Now I wait for the valve gaskets to arrive and reassemble. Fingers crossed this is good now. I might lag getting back to this as I’m thinking about doing my starter while the V is exposed.

[amrazM]

Looks like it came out great, how did you extract the cleaning agent?

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by amrazM

Looks like it came out great, how did you extract the cleaning agent?

You don’t. I should have removed the X pipe and let it flow out but I’m lazy. It’s Seafoam so it can burn. I’m not worried about the cats. I’ve let it soak for over a week, so most likely it will have evaporated. I expect to see some smoke for a while on startup. I also will pull my plugs prior to trying to turn the motor over. I don’t think vapor lock is possible but I’d rather not risk it. Still waiting for the valve gaskets but I should have’em soon. I’ll let yall know how it goes for me so you don’t have to wonder.

[patroklai]

Subbed

[Scrippy]

Wooooooo! It worked!!!! So far I’ve been able to complete 6 cold starts in a row. Just need to finish up the drive cycle now and then back to the smog shop!

[Scrippy]

It’s official now that all readiness is finally reached!

[Scrippy]

Passed smog today!

[aggieshan]

Great info. Could you tell me what is runner in S65 engine? My car also has similar persistent issue. Where did you out the scope into?

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by aggieshan

Great info. Could you tell me what is runner in S65 engine? My car also has similar persistent issue. Where did you out the scope into?

Look in my post here. The pictures and videos are the runners (holes/ports). The valves are at the back of the motor. See the arrows in red. Ignore that text, someone else posted this picture but I added the arrows pointing where the ports are. Parts 6 & 5 are the valves that come off to gain access to the ports.

[aggieshan]

Thanks Scrippy. Did you remove the valve to gain access to the ports? I remember you replaced the valves last year. It looks like i have to remove valves to clean the runner.

[Scrippy]

Originally Posted by aggieshan

Thanks Scrippy. Did you remove the valve to gain access to the ports? I remember you replaced the valves last year. It looks like i have to remove valves to clean the runner.

I didn’t need to replace anything looking back in retrospec. I think new valves helped me for another 5 months but inevitably the passenger bank port was clogged. See the pictures of both in this original post and it’s obvious. If I were you I would remove the intake plenum, unplug all engine harness fittings and move/fold the harness over the passenger side of the block. Remove the rear engine hook and any pipe straps limiting hose movements and remove the secondary air valves & hoses. Then go to a gun store and look for a hand gun bore cleaner that is segmented. Meaning it has 4 poles that screw together depending on how long the gun barrel or engine port in our case. The first rod has the brush on it and the end is threaded. So I shoved in the brushed one first, then when it made its way in I screwed on the next section and the next. ALLWAYS TURNING THE BORE CLEANER IN A CLOCKWISE MANOR SO I DO NOT UNACREW ONE OF THE SECTIONS OFF IN THE PORT/RUNNER. once you get all the way through to the end (front of the block), pull it out while turning clockwise and remove all sections until the cleaner is out. Because the firewall is like 7” away with motor in the car you cannot simply push in the whole cleaning rod ya know? I used a vacuum hose tapered fitting on a hose and funnel to drop down Seafoam directly in the port before running the bore cleaner through. I don’t believe you can cause vapor lock but after Seafoam, the bore cleaner and reassembly I removed all spark plugs and cranked the car a few times just to make sure I don’t damage a piston rod. After all things are put back together I drove to the nearest freeway and just did laps back and forth on the same two exits. My car smoked pretty bad as it was burning off the Seafoam that collected in the exhaust. So this was all 15,000 miles ago now and I have no cat, sensor or any issues and or CEL. I think a better way would be to remove the headers as a better practice but fuck that lol!!!!