Oil in Airbox?

Just starting my timing belt replacement for the first time for me. I'm finding a significant amount of oil in my air intake.

What would cause this?

I'm also finding a "secondary filter" in my airbox too, that is fairly saturated with oil. This secondary filter sits above the normal replaceable filter. I haven't tried prying it out.

Edit: I looked at and turned my throttle body. Throttle body and air intake after it is dirty as hell.

 

Pcv valve, but most of them do look nasty inside. Clean your throttle body while your in there

 

The secondary filter is a carbon screen. Its there to prevent gas fumes from coming out when you shut the truck off. It isn't needed, many of us rip them out.

Oil in the intake box, can you post pics? I would say maybe the pcv but unless there is a second one I think the pcv doesn't tie in near the box.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/oil-in-air-intake.87803/
Similar thread

 

I’m assuming he means the actual intake manifold

 

Based on that other thread I guess it can travel to the box if there is enough oil. That's concerning.

 

I can't readily grab and post pictures. To describe, the actual box BELOW my air filter has puddles of oil in it. The air filter that came with the truck on purchase had one spot with oil on it. Oil seemed to be dripping backwards down the intake into the air box.

When I removed the upper air intake from the throttle body and airbox, I could hear liquid sloshing inside. Apparently enough that when I turned it on its side, a bit of oil poured out (and onto my shoe). Before removing it, I noticed that a hose was disconnected from the side. I may try to take pictures later, just wanting to finish this job, as it's my only vehicle besides a motorcycle.

Read the other thread you guys linked to. I don't have any smoke in my exhaust. Wouldn't have known I had any issue besides seeing my airbox.

Edit: Some history: The truck has 112k miles. Was owned by some guy's wife that drove it to and from work like a total of 3 miles. Was apparently very gently used. I believe previous owner used conventional oil.

 

Best case scenario is it has a ton of oil/condensation from the pcv that has accumulated from the short trips.

 

Did it look like this? If so, it's apparently normal, others have reported the same. See https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...-gen-tundra-today.2558/page-1305#post-2702503

 

Yeah, being a DC, it came with 4.7-Liter i-Force V8 w/VVT-i

You may be aware but I would use what's listed in owners manual and on the filler filler cap...5W-30.
Personally I have used Castrol Edge 5W-30 High Mileage Full Syn since purchase in 2009. Some are partial to Mobil 1 5W-30 Extended Performance Full Synthetic . Bottom line, don't skimp on engine parts and it will triple the present mileage if not more.


Does it resemble this....

 

How do you plan to clean the manifold? Soaking or just hose it down with a bunch of brake clean?
I know I’ve shined a flashlight in there when cleaning the throttle body and it looked pretty nasty……

 

Interesting, I didn’t even know it could be split, or I guess I never looked at it that closely. I’ve followed a couple turd gen threads recently about cans, not sure I’ll fork over dough for this one, but it looks well made and thought out.
https://www.jlosc.com/JL-oil-separator-3-0-base-kit/

 

You may be able to use heater core hose, its 3/4" diameter. I used that on my GTI for the catch can. If you live in a smog state you have to remove the can for inspection. California likes that oil to be burnt, not captured and poured into an oil recycle.

I'm curious if this only happens to tru ks that don't see a lot of full throttle. Grandpa trucks that just putt-putt around town.

 

That is essentially my situation, except for oil at the throttle body. Good link.

 

Your smog guy doesn't know the rules. Oil separators are legal to add. Appendix K or something iirc.

Same with intercoolers and a few other things. The state ref let me copy the page from his book 10-15 years ago (dunno where it is now lol).

 

This is good to know. I have an aftermarket intercooler but its sneaky enough not to notice.

 

Just be careful. I believe that is my manifold up there in the picture. I bought a catch can, but read that you aren't supposed to use them when temps get below freezing.
I promptly removed mine because it usually gets below freezing where I live, at least at night, every day except for maybe 3-6 weeks out of the year.

 

Weird. What does freezing do that causes an issue?

 

Correct - that's yours. Sorry, meant to tag you in the post but spaced it. Long day.

 

As skeptical as I was, brake cleaner works great to clear stuff like that if the unit is out of the vehicle, some will even do it while installed. PB Blaster can work great as well to dissolve petrol products, especially caked oil and grease.

 

They also catch a lot of moisture. If you drain it regularly it shouldn't be an issue.

 

@assassin10000 is correct about the moisture. That was news to me. The instructions just said to empty the can weekly if temps are around freezing and to revert back to the PCV if temps are below freezing. I wasn't sure what to expect and just decided to return it rather than deal with emptying the can weekly (I don't even fill up gas that often).

@Mogo Gogo as said above by @shifty` brake cleaner works well (off engine), or you can use throttle body cleaner, or MAF cleaner. I bought a couple cans of MAF because I like how quickly it evaporates and it safe for the intake; but it's more expensive.
Once I had my intake off I just dumped the oil out in a pan, and sprayed everything down with cleaner.

*I think that was one of the most complex posts I've made with tags and quotes. BRB, I'm gonna go grab a cookie.

 

I have a suggestion:

 

Really, the dishwasher?. That kinda stuff keeps me in business.

 

I support my local plumbers. Plus, it's a rent house.