Noob questions

[oxbrain]

So I changed my valve cover gasket yesterday, no more oil leak.

I noticed a bunch of things I thought were kinda weird though. The Haynes manual didn't say you needed to pull the TB to get the valve cover off...

One of the bolts for the valve cover is a stud with a nut instead of a bolt, is this normal or did someone just use a bad replacement at some point?

What is that box right by the pcv valve, hooks up to the air intake, but doesn't go anywhere, and it isn't in most of the pics of different festy's I've seen.

When I undid the top two bolts on the timing belt cover the gasket sprang out and won't go back in. I got the top part in, but on both sides the groove is further out than the metal so there is nothing to seal against. Also the gasket seems like it's way too big to fit. Is it ok to drive with the gasket only partly on, seems like the belt should be fine.

[oxbrain]

I got a pic of the box I'm talking about.

[kidcurry73]

FWIW: Mine has the same box!!!!!!!!

[Guest]

it's a resonator chamber.. and can be removed.. I've ran mine for years without it before I swapped to a B6

[oxbrain]

a resonator on the intake? to make it sound like a supercharger sucking or something?

Would you just suggest putting tape over the nipple to keep it from sucking air, or would something more solid be needed?


How about the stud on the TB? I'll try to get a pic of it at some point, but there are four bolts holding the TB onto the manifold, the upper left is a stud with a nut instead, and you have to unscrew the stud too to get it out of the manifold. It's a real pain so I'm thinking of replacing it with a bolt, but I wasn't sure if there was a reason it was like that.

[FB71]

the resonator chamber is to reduce air intake noise, primarily. and I'd suggest something more durable than tape. if the hole leaks, then the engine will run lean, with the possibility of causing severe damage.

[oxbrain]

OK, I'm thinking a plastic disc cut out of something and plastic cement.

Ironically there is a tuner shop here right next to where I work and they said they can make a bent oval tubing which I'm thinking of using for a CAI. It would be just like a round metal pipe, just flattened a little. Then I wouldn't need to get a new hood.