Pulled intake manifold chasing a P2138 and found lots of oil and other issues. Pictures included.

[southerncross]

First...my apologies. This will likely be lengthy. I have a persistent P2138 code after a mechanic did an mds delete (which I now regret) the mechanic couldn't fine the problem but I don't think he tried very hard. The code came up right after he did the delete. He said he test drove it but I'm not sure how. The code comes up within 2-30 minutes into driving and the accelerator becomes unresponsive. Today I pulled the intake manifold to inspect the wiring under and around it. I found several things and I will post pictures. There was a lot of oil inside the intake manifold. The PCV valve and tubing was covered in oil. The intake manifold runner motor was disconnected and the male connection was cracked and the wires inside it were stretched. Looking into each cylinder intake the sides are coated with burned oil. There was oil on each valve inside the head. I haven't found any compromised wiring other than the above mentioned male connection. I will be looking more tomorrow. I'm going to order a Dorman intake manifold runner motor that has the extra length connector. This was a complete bonehead location to install a wiring connector. There's no reason the connector couldn't be off to the passenger side. The throttle body and accelerator pedal have been replaced as well as the pcm and Diablo trinity tuner from Holly. I will replace the pcv valve.

I'm wondering if these things could have caused the P2138 code? Seems unlikely. It blows my mind that 2 mechanics have not been able to find the cause of the P2138 code.

What is the best way to clean out the intake ports on the head? All intakes look about the same as to buildup.

 

[Wild one]

First...my apologies. This will likely be lengthy. I have a persistent P2138 code after a mechanic did an mds delete (which I now regret) the mechanic couldn't fine the problem but I don't think he tried very hard. The code came up right after he did the delete. He said he test drove it but I'm not sure how. The code comes up within 2-30 minutes into driving and the accelerator becomes unresponsive. Today I pulled the intake manifold to inspect the wiring under and around it. I found several things and I will post pictures. There was a lot of oil inside the intake manifold. The PCV valve and tubing was covered in oil. The intake manifold runner motor was disconnected and the male connection was cracked and the wires inside it were stretched. Looking into each cylinder intake the sides are coated with burned oil. There was oil on each valve inside the head. I haven't found any compromised wiring other than the above mentioned male connection. I will be looking more tomorrow. I'm going to order a Dorman intake manifold runner motor that has the extra length connector. This was a complete bonehead location to install a wiring connector. There's no reason the connector couldn't be off to the passenger side. The throttle body and accelerator pedal have been replaced as well as the pcm and Diablo trinity tuner from Holly. I will replace the pcv valve.

I'm wondering if these things could have caused the P2138 code? Seems unlikely. It blows my mind that 2 mechanics have not been able to find the cause of the P2138 code.

What is the best way to clean out the intake ports on the head? All intakes look about the same as to buildup.

A rag soaked in brake clean / carb cleaner / diesal or oven cleaner etc. to wipe out the ports. Strip the manifold down,and run it through your local coin-op carwash and use the high pressure soap setting to wash out the inside of the intake manifold,then invest in a good catch can to help miminiumize the oily build-up inside the manifold and intake ports.
Felpro has a gasket /o-ring kit that's cheaper then the OEM gasket kit

 

[southerncross]

Thanks for the advice. I will give that a shot today and I think that is the exact gasket kit that I ordered yesterday.

 

[Wild one]

Thanks for the advice. I will give that a shot today and I think that is the exact gasket kit that I ordered yesterday.

I've used the Felpro gaskets,they're not bad,and are far cheaper then the OEM gaskets. By the looks of your intake ports ,i'd say the inside of your intake manifold is going to need a good cleaning at your local carwash.
Lots of guys think a catch can is a waste of money,but your intake ports prove they might be a wise investment.I've pulled a couple intakes off higher milege hemi's,and have had oil actually drain out of the inside of the manifold,and so far the local coin-ops high pressure soap setting is the best way i've found to clean out the inside of the manifold

 

[CanuckRam1313]

I've used the Felpro gaskets,they're not bad,and are far cheaper then the OEM gaskets. By the looks of your intake ports ,i'd say the inside of your intake manifold is going to need a good cleaning at your local carwash.
Lots of guys think a catch can is a waste of money,but your intake ports prove they might be a wise investment.I've pulled a couple intakes off higher milege hemi's,and have had oil actually drain out of the inside of the manifold,and so far the local coin-ops high pressure soap setting is the best way i've found to clean out the inside of the manifold

Exactly why oil catch cans are so vital!

 

[Wild one]

I fought that code for a bit,turned out to be a bad connector at the throttle body,bought a connector repair kit from the local dealer,and have never had any issues since,but here's a few things you can check.

Disconnect your TB connector and check for constant 5 volts at appropriate socket with (KOEO)- key on, engine off. Check the signal wire, also (KOEO)- should be around 1V at idle and go up to over 4V at WOT. Check the connector ground wire for volts- anything over 0.2V at a ground wire is a concern. You can go further and disconnect your related PCM connectors and do continuity checks-(no power applied to circuit as this could fry your multimeterl from all 6 cavities of both the TB and APPS to the PCM connectors to rule out a wiring issue.