my 2003 1.8t recently starting throwing misfire and lean codes, after some research it looked like a vacume leak. I used a smoke tester today and sure enough, whats leaking is a large hose hose thats directly beneath the intake manifold. it looks like it could be part of the pcv system. My question is what parts need to be replaced after you remove the intake manifold. I need the car ready for a 250 mile one way road trip on friday and i plan on over night shipping any parts i need tomorrow. I'm just wondering if there is any parts i might break, i dont want to be screwed for my trip if a parts broken. I will be extremely careful taking it apart. it recently had a head gasket replaced less than 10,000 miles ago, so alot of parts such at the oil dip stick tube are new. thanks for any help

 

The elbow that comes up out of the crank case and goes to the PCV can crumble, that happened to mine when I was chasing down this code. Also, move the coolant tank out of the way I was able to change the PCV and that elbow without pulling the manifold without too much drama.

 

thank you, i will order that elbow also, and I will try to move the coolant tank first before i try and take the manifold off. thanks agian.

 

I agree with Long Arm, 100% doable without removing the intake manifold. I believe one of the alternator arm brackets will have to be loosened along with un-mounting the coolant expansion tank and moving it over to the side. I did mine and found I should have ordered the rubber "T" piece that the piece you're ordering connects to. It houses the PCV valve and gets crumbly. Might as well get a 6-10 dollar PCV valve and replace it for reassurance and a second "C" shaped clip that holds it into the side of the crankcase ($1.00) just in case. When removing the "J" plastic shaped tube from the side of the block, be sure to remove the old "o"ring from the house on the block. It can be a pain trying to install the new one if forgotten in there. Good luck !