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G@d@#*&# fuel diffusers!!

Old Dec 18, 2018 | 03:06 PM
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G@d@#*&# fuel diffusers!!

Does anyone have any more tricks to removing the diffusers from the secondary holes. I have secondary rail off, the rubber grommets out of the holes. The brown plastic things just spin and do not seem to want to cooperate to get out.
Help!! I am trying to use a pick. Any other ideas? Why would they spin and not come put???
Thanks for any help!!!
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 03:07 PM
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 03:31 PM
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It's of course way easier to do this with the LIM off. It's also possible that in the process of removing them they can break and drop pieces in the engine.

In general I don't recommend doing this with the LIM on the engine. They are quite brittle usually.

Is the diffuser broken? Why are you changing it?

That said, you may be able to thread a tap into it, that will bite in enough to let you pull the diffuser out. But, you really want to be certain you got the whole thing and a chunk isn't down there ready to break seals in the motor.

Dale
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 03:34 PM
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I am getting ready to install my EV14 2200cc. I was told they should be removed. Trust me this isnt something I am wanting to do. I just finished the rats nest and fuel damper. I just need these darn things out. Put the new fuel rail in and hope I have everything back the same way I took it apart lol.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 03:35 PM
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You can see in the pic I am already scratching them up trying to pry them.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 03:37 PM
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Yuck. You may be ahead of the game just going ahead and pulling the LIM. If you have stock twins you'll have to remove them to get access unfortunately. With a single turbo you may be able to get to all of the bolts that hold the LIM on.

It's just a big gamble to try and remove old, hardened plastic that can easily go into the engine.

Dale
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 03:41 PM
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Wow Dale. That is something I really didn't want to mess with. Any other ideas besides removing LIM? How hard is it to vacuum little bits out?? Lol, stupid question I know. Are they being held in by another rubber grommet? What the hell is holding them? I dont see anything on pics that would hold them in.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 03:58 PM
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I was able to make a little triple fish hook looking thing that grabbed the inner lip of it, and slowly wiggle it out. Definitely make sure to lube it up with something as you go, and I wouldn't apply too much pulling force because they could still break.

Since this applied force fairly evenly, I think thats why I was able to get them out without any drama. It was definitely a little nerve wrecking though.

I don't think you'll have any luck trying to pry them out like you kind of can on the other fuel rail's set. The trick is to be able to pull it straight up.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 03:59 PM
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Exclamation

I wouldn't gamble with it.
Take the LIM off, those will break-off and go into the engine.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 04:03 PM
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Thx. I was thinking about some snap ring pliers?? Or some type of small reverse pliers? I could try to conjure up some kind of grappling hook. So even pressure to bring them up. I will keep brain storming. I really do not want to remove lim. If I break something then I will if I have to.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 04:05 PM
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Originally Posted by estevan62274
I wouldn't gamble with it.
Take the LIM off, those will break-off and go into the engine.
Damnit lol. K
Now I have to think about all this. I though I had everything licked lol
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 04:06 PM
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You'll want something that will grab the bottom lip on 2-3 points, and allow you to lightly pull straight up.
As with anything on these cars YMMV, this could still end in tragedy, but it worked well for me.​​​​​​​




Last edited by SpinningDorito; Dec 18, 2018 at 04:09 PM. Reason: Putting correct image
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 04:11 PM
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^that's the problem.
Depending on how old/brittle they are it doesn't take much for then to just fall apart into the engine.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 04:12 PM
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Thx for all the help. I will let you guys know how it goes. I just found some later threads on this, but you guys helped more so glad I asked. I will let ya know how it goes.
I wouldn't think tiny plastic would do so much damage. Amazing how fragile these seals can be.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 04:41 PM
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Something like a pilot bearing puller might work.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by KansasCityREPU
Something like a pilot bearing puller might work.
now were talkin.... I will just take it real slow and gentle. If it isnt happening I will head the first warning from Dale.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 05:23 PM
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Err on the side of caution and remove the LIM. That said, lube the other ring on the the LIM with WD 40 or something similar so the black rubber sealing o ring on the diffuser is easier to possible pull up like other have mentioned - if you haven’t already tried to.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Tim Benton
Err on the side of caution and remove the LIM. That said, lube the other ring on the the LIM with WD 40 or something similar so the black rubber sealing o ring on the diffuser is easier to possible pull up like other have mentioned - if you haven’t already tried to.
Thanks Tim. I will try engine oil for lube. I really hope I dont have to drop lim. I never would have tackled this if I truely knew what was involved. I would have finished body, brakes, suspension, and saved the rest for rebuild time.

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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 07:43 PM
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Dale I should have listened.
1st one came out easy. 2nd one snapped... like fell apart. I barely touched it. I dont know how it was even holding on.
No bueno
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 07:50 PM
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Take the leading spark plug out of the rotor, slowly rotate the engine over so that chamber is at the spark plug and try and vacuum it out., mini vac or seal the circular vacuum end to the opening so it can pull a good vacuum on it and hopefully hear the plastic pieces sucked into the canister.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 08:03 PM
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I really need to sit back and think on this one. I must laugh at myself to think I could for once have something go smooth and as planned.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 08:11 PM
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Or take the LIM so you have a bigger exit to try and vacuum the pieces out. Still might have to rotate the engine via the eccentric shaft bolt, depending on the facing of the rotor when the pieces fell. I think at some point in owning my FD for 24 years, I’ve had similar decision and thought - dang, that didn’t go like I hoped . I think you’ll be able to get the pieces out and not cause any issue with the engine/turbos.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 08:15 PM
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I hope so. I will try. What scares me is not knowing if I get everything out. You wouldn't think such brittle plastic could hurt anything except maybe the turbo if it was spinning at 100k.
Dale did you lost an engine to this?
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 08:19 PM
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DAM! Sorry to hear this.
Id take off the LIM and try to vacuum it out.
Goodluck man.
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Old Dec 18, 2018 | 09:13 PM
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So I inspected the one that came out easy. I gave it a tiny squeeze between 2 fingers and it crumbled. I dont know how I even got the 1st one out.
Well, I will errrrr on the cautious side like everyone told me too from now on lol.
I will install the rail so the damn thing stops leaking fuel and start taking off the turbos and lim I guess. I like the spark plug idea, but if it is sitting right in the intake I would prefer not too move it.
Thanks for the help everyone.
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