How to clean the air return?

[offrink]

So the pcv'ish tube going from the engine to the air filter is clogged. I tried cleaning it with carb cleaner a couple of times but no luck. Any suggestions on how to get it clean? I prefer not to take it off if I can help it.

[Mike in Louisiana]

You mean you want to clean the tube #4 ? Just take the two nuts loose and remove tube.

[Scrivet]

Tough to clean without removing it. It's not that tough a job if you use two wrenches one for the nut and one to hold the fitting it screws into. Get them both started before tightening when reinstalling (and remember which end is up ). Cleaning once removed is easy with a piece of string trimmer line and whatever spray cleaner you have handy. Read that here several years ago and it has always worked to clean the ones out I have done.

[offrink]

Yes number 4. Would compressed air work? Maybe a 150 psi and some cleaner? I will try some things in the couple of days.

[Eugene]

Yes number 4. Would compressed air work? Maybe a 150 psi and some cleaner?

Maybe, if the tube is not completely plugged.

Mine was completely plugged. I soaked in solvent, part washer tank, for several days. Took a thin stiff wire and finally made the first pass completely through the tube. Kept working the wire back and fort while holding the tube in the solvent. More soaking in solvent and using larger wires to finally clean the tube.

You also need to clean part #1 and #4.

[Bill Hudson]

Yes number 4. Would compressed air work? Maybe a 150 psi and some cleaner? I will try some things in the couple of days.

150 psi air might work, but I think the odds are better that the air will effectively plug the tube tighter, if it does not easily (probability is low) blow out the obstruction on the first blast. I would love to be proven wrong.

Bill

[dgrapes59]

Yes number 4. Would compressed air work? Maybe a 150 psi and some cleaner? I will try some things in the couple of days.

Ralph trick; heat the tube and poke a small wire in it. This will clean it out much faster, just don't handle the hot tube too soon (not that I did that).

Good luck,