Air Intake Tube Elbow flipped lip

[TCollier]

Yesterday when looking over the engine planning out my gauge installs I noticed the intake elbow hose clamp was slightly misaligned. After this caught my attention I started looking into it more and feeling all the way around it to the underside. To my horror I realized the the bottom lip was folded back under the clamp and in the inlet. I don't know how long it was like this. I guess the clamp loosened. There was definitely unfiltered air getting through. It wasn't much of a gap when I was under there putting it back on correctly. But I'm sure once I was chugging along hauling my 11k 5er the day before it was opening up a bit. The air filter is not in bad shape.

The truck only just broke 49k on the odometer and has been treated very well, all stock except the air bags. Just bought my camper 3 months ago and only have about 500 miles towing.

There is no difference with the truck as far as I can tell and I'm fairly perceptive (at least I would like to think) to noise changes, performance characteristics etc.

What should I start looking out for and what should be done now?



Thanks

 

[jgillott]

First of all, welcome to TDR. Did you just purchase this truck, or have you owned it for a while? I always remove that intake hose when I change the oil filter so that I can easily remove it from the top. Perhaps it was left loose or installed incorrectly at the last oil change.

 

[TCollier]

I bought the truck new and have changed the oil myself the last 3 times. I used to bring it to a Mom & Pop tire & oil shop but that has been a while. I tried to remember if I even paid attention to any of that the last time I changed the oil which was about 4 months (2,000 miles) ago and just can't recall. I didn't take any of that off, I just cussed while dealing with the filter.
The only other time the truck was touched in the last 3 years was the 4th gen steering upgrade at the dealer 3 years ago and had the steering box replaced with the track arm bushings 2 months ago.

 

[jgillott]

It's hard to tell then when that came loose. As you mentioned, the biggest concern would be dusting, but hopefully with that low of mileage, that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[TCollier]

Yeah I'm hoping nothing has been seriously effected. I plan on keeping this truck for a long time. So far I only average 10k a year because I work offshore and am gone for a month at a time. I'm finally getting full use of the truck with the 5'er so my wife cant hold that over my head anymore. It's like I have a completely new vehicle now and I pray that there are few of these issues, along with the front end crap, anymore.

Thanks

 

[jgillott]

I am a worrier by nature. But truth be told, there is nothing that you can do at this point other than keep an eye on it just in case in case it would work its way loose again. Other than that, just drive it and enjoy it.

 

[GCroyle]

What you guys think about suggesting an engine oil analysis, get some numbers.

 

[jgillott]

That wouldn't be a bad idea. Do fresh change and send a sample in.

 

[GCroyle]

Shiver,



You can buy an engine oil analysis kit from Geno's. Its pretty easy, at the next oil change clean the area around the plug real good, start the change and get the sample. It includes directions to fill out about vehicle details. Mail it in, PDF comes back in a couple of weeks max. And you get some hard numbers about contaminants and wear metals in the oil.



Good luck.



Gary

 

[Bob4x4]

I doubt it came loose it looks more like it was installed wrong. I just worked on a truck today that had the filter minder come apart. The owner didn't realize he had been sucking in un-filtered air. The engine still runs fine but the turbo does have EXTRA play. reman turbo will be next week.

 

[TCollier]

I just ordered the analysis kit.
I felt like it was a bad installation as well at first. It wasn't terribly loose and I can't imagine when it would have needed to be removed. I hate to think it has been that way for too long a time. I know the alignment tab/nipple on the elbow was not in the hole on the clamp.
Anyway, I'll be adding motor oil change to the front & rear axle lube and transfer case fluid change. I flushed the power steering & transmission last time home.
I'll post the analysis results when I get them.
Thanks for the help guys.