edehn

OK. So after reading the potential benefits of cleaning the IAT sensor, I decided yesterday that I'd give it a shot. Picked up a can of carb cleaner (IAW Geno's instructions on this site), popped the hood and found the sensor. Nobody mentioned you have to be a contortionist to get at the sensor! Hell, I can't even get my paws in position to remove the plug let alone remove the sensor! What's the trick or do I need to remove something to get at it? Thx.

chainzaw

Yeah. You really have to reach! It's not enjoyable. I faintly remembering using a couple choice words for the cummins engineers.

SIXSLUG

Its easier to kneel on the front bumper (a rolled towel helps the kneeling) and lay over the engine*. Find and pry the clip away from the catch pin on the connector and pull it straight to the right. Have your 27mm or 13/16 inch deep socket ready and get it on so the handle is facing forward and slightly down. It should only take a slight knock to the rear to loosen. Unscrew it being careful not to drop it.

Clean with electrical parts cleaner.

To re-instal, find the hole with your finger so you can line it up and hand screw it in til it stops...snug with ratchet and re attach electrical connector.

Some are convinced you will see impressive mileage gain!

*Do this with the engine OFF!

KATOOM

No.....its not easy to get to. And it certainly helps not to be a larger person with big paws because there's a few things you have to reach through. Clean as SIXSLUG suggested but carb cleaner will work too. Brake cleaner will leave no residue but I remember there being talk about not using one or the other since it could potentially damage the sensor. Not sure how true that is. Really, if when you pull it out, if its not covered in soot then I would simply put it right back. Exhaust brakes causing intake soot to collect on the IAT making it possibly read incorrectly is what started the reason of cleaning the IAT. Also, when putting it back, torque specs are only, I think, 10 lbs because the o-ring is what seals.

SIXSLUG

Yeah, I read somewhere brake cleaner is too harsh.

I bought a can of Electrical parts cleaner....jjeez I have enough to clean everyone's IAT forever. Its a big can.

totalloser

FWIW, I think I may have damaged my AIT with brake cleaner. Sooted it up using the full closure brake as a warm-up valve. Intermittent AIT code, so I cleaned it. Got way worse after that.

http://www.genosgarage.com/prodinfo.asp?number=3408345

Relatively expensive little sensor actually.

KATOOM

Yes it is. For reason of what you just described, I never use my exhaust brake as a warm up tool. It works great but this would be my last resort method to keep the engine warm in sub zero weather since doing so will cake the IAT with soot. Years ago there was lots of talk about relocating the IAT to somewhere cleaner like the air horn or air box but I'm not sure what really happened with that idea since you never see anyone who's done this. I do remember that finding the plug connectors was an issue.

totalloser

Yeah, common knowledge now. Maybe someone else can avoid such folly. :P

carl48

you need to get the K&N off and in the trash