I installed the Injen short ram during the summer and opened my hood today. I noticed that my install had turned into a mess sometime between now and then. The huge pipe that connects to the engine along with the small pipe that connects to the top of the engine had both come off. Basically, unfiltered air was being drawn into both these ports. I am having a mental break down. The car is running fine but I am wondering if anyone knows of any long-term issues that may occur.

 

Also, what are any ways I can repair any possible damage done?

 

I did some research and found out the throttle body and the CCV hose were the two exposed parts in case anyone thought I was being too vague.

 

You never heard any odd noises? Nothing dragging or dropping? Do you have any idea how long its been like that?

If its a recent thing, you're probably fine. Well, as long as you drive in relatively dirt free conditions that is. No dirt roads, etc. I'd get some TB cleaner and an old toothbrush (roommate's if you have one) and get to work on the throttle body. Get the oil changed and next time you fill up the tank put in a bottle of good injector cleaner. If the TB is really bad get some Seafoam from your local parts store and do a search on the proper way to use it. There's more than a few threads on here about it. Just be sure to do it before you get the oil changed.

 

This has been going on for less than two months. I looked at the throttle body. It is pretty clean. There is just some "soot" around the rim of the gold disks. And no, I did not hear any sounds. I am getting the throttle body professionally cleaned out tomorrow morning. I am also going to put the stock intake back on soon. I was wondering if any damage done is restricted only to the the TB or is it inside the engine as well? Also, I do not think the TB is messed up enough for me to use the sea foam but I will do the oil change soon and put in injector cleaner next time I fill. Any suggestions on the injector cleaner I should grab?

 

The Chevron Techron is good. And you should be able to pick it up at a bunch of different parts houses. You'll need to get the larger bottle if they carry both sizes. The parts stores around me carry a bottle for 12 gallon and smaller tanks and one for 20 gallon and smaller tanks. Given the 17.2 gallon capacity, I'd get the bigger bottle. Be sure to put it in before you pump the gas so it gets mixed in evenly.

You shouldn't need anything else beyond the oil change and the TB and injector cleaning. Truth be known, you may not even need any of services, but its better to be safe than sorry. $20 or $30 now could save you a lot of money in the future.

That said, you need to either put the stock intake or the Injen back on before you drive it again. You don't want to be driving with unfiltered air if at all possible.

 

I went to a local shop and got the TB and fuel injectors cleaned along with adding a fuel additive to the tank. They told me that the intake coming off shouldn't be a problem and if it did do anything, I would have noticed it immediately. Is this true? I shouldn't expect huge repair costs in the future? Thanks for all the help so far litesout.