Plenum checked out OK -a couple of handy hints - Page 2

Raistlin · 17th December 2006, 14:25

Thanks for that Christopher

NOW I feel able to do the spy-hole mod myself

Paul

T-Cut · 17th December 2006, 14:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovel

Thinking about the design of the Rubber funnel in the plenum, the debris has only one place to go, and it will eventually clog up in time. I would have thought that by placing a 4" long 3/8" - 1/2" tube through the hole in the rubber funnel and having the top of the hose stick up slightly higher 1" than the face of the rubber funnel may help stop the hole blocking up similar to the suction line in the bottom of a tank.

Hmm...how would the water drain away?

TC

Lovel · 17th December 2006, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Cut

Hmm...how would the water drain away?

TC

Yes, hmm I agree a fundamental one there. You would always have some water sloshing around on the bottom of the plenum, but the drain tube insert would require some small holes drilled along it's length or it could be a ribbed profile tube so fluid could drain out in an annular space between the rubber grommet and the tube. The main bore of the drain tube insert would continue to drain water if the level got any higher.
If you consider a design of a hydraulic oil tank for example you will see that very few would ever take a suction from the bottom, so missing out the nasty gunge.
There's must be a better solution than the current design. Maybe just removing the rubber grommet altogether would be easier, and lessen the chance for blocking up.

Keith · 18th December 2006, 11:07

There is a similar thread on d.org at the moment it was suggested to chop the end off where it protrudes under the car as it is a closed slit design so begins to block up from the slit first.

Personally I think that and removing them completely is a bad idea removing it will allow water in to the inner void as the drain passes through two parts of the car and cutting the end off defeats the objects of the slit design it acts as a one way valve. These drains are not that far off the ground and if open could become prone to water ingress in an upwards direction from deep puddles etc especially if entered at speed or when going through fords etc.

Also remember (in my CDT) there are two plenum drains one under the brake servo is the one that should catch most of the water but is a total pain to get at from the top. I have found the easiest way of doing either is from under the car with a bowl of soapy water on my chest to catch the muck in and a babies bottle cleaning brush that combined with hoovering out debris means it can all be done without needing to pull anything apart

Nick Hoare · 18th December 2006, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

Just been out checking the drain etc. and took a piccie of the 'spy hole' mod I have done to the plenum cover - makes checking the drain less than a 1 minute job ...

Great picture Christopher, hope you don't mind if I print it of as a guide to doing mine. What's the black rubber thing you have used to blank the hole of.

:xmas-smiley-036:

Christopher · 18th December 2006, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Hoare

Great picture Christopher, hope you don't mind if I print it of as a guide to doing mine. What's the black rubber thing you have used to blank the hole of.

:xmas-smiley-036:

Be my guest Nick

- that is a closed rubber grommet I got from Halfords, 2.5 cm dia

Nick Hoare · 18th December 2006, 16:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

Be my guest Nick

- that is a closed rubber grommet I got from Halfords, 2.5 cm dia

Thanks Christopher, will do mine sometime over Christmas.

pondweed · 18th December 2006, 16:22

anyone involved in vinyl stickers?

I foresee a rash of christmas "PLENUM CHECK HERE->" stocking fillers for 2007

(for the man who wants to be ultra sure he's not damp down below -and for others to know it)

And if anyone decides to do it, it was MY idea and my consultancy fee is one sticker.

direstraits · 18th December 2006, 17:53

Hi all I have just viewed the plenum spyhole. Why cant this hole be positioned over the drain and used to rod out the pipe without removing the all the covers,or am I being a little to sensible.

Christopher · 18th December 2006, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by direstraits

Hi all I have just viewed the plenum spyhole. Why cant this hole be positioned over the drain and used to rod out the pipe without removing the all the covers,or am I being a little to sensible.

It is mounted over the hole? and I do rod the drain through it - it is not just for 'looking' ...

18th December 2006, 11:07	#14
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	There is a similar thread on d.org at the moment it was suggested to chop the end off where it protrudes under the car as it is a closed slit design so begins to block up from the slit first. Personally I think that and removing them completely is a bad idea removing it will allow water in to the inner void as the drain passes through two parts of the car and cutting the end off defeats the objects of the slit design it acts as a one way valve. These drains are not that far off the ground and if open could become prone to water ingress in an upwards direction from deep puddles etc especially if entered at speed or when going through fords etc. Also remember (in my CDT) there are two plenum drains one under the brake servo is the one that should catch most of the water but is a total pain to get at from the top. I have found the easiest way of doing either is from under the car with a bowl of soapy water on my chest to catch the muck in and a babies bottle cleaning brush that combined with hoovering out debris means it can all be done without needing to pull anything apart Last edited by Keith; 18th December 2006 at 11:11..

18th December 2006, 17:53	#19
direstraits Avid contributor 2X MGZT-T190,s 1XMGZT180 X-PowerGrey/Trophy Blue/ Anthracite Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hampshire Posts: 114 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Plenums Hi all I have just viewed the plenum spyhole. Why cant this hole be positioned over the drain and used to rod out the pipe without removing the all the covers,or am I being a little to sensible.

17th December 2006, 14:25	#11
Raistlin Banned 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 8,450 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks for that Christopher NOW I feel able to do the spy-hole mod myself Paul

18th December 2006, 16:22	#18
pondweed This is my second home Waiter, Waiter! I seem to have a Roomster in my drive... Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sussex Posts: 3,268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	anyone involved in vinyl stickers? I foresee a rash of christmas "PLENUM CHECK HERE->" stocking fillers for 2007 (for the man who wants to be ultra sure he's not damp down below -and for others to know it) And if anyone decides to do it, it was MY idea and my consultancy fee is one sticker.