Removal of intake silencer on 02-03, can it cause problems?

[atho6]

A few months ago, I removed the entire plastic piping leading up to the airbox on my bugeye and I reset the ECU. Off and on I noticed a moderate raw gas smell on cold starts, I didn't think too much of it.

Last night, I noticed it took an abnormally long time for the engine to warm up and an overpowering smell of gas inside the cabin the whole 15 minute ride home.

Today, I filled my coolant because it was a little low, but I think that was unrelated to the problem. While in there, I checked my other fluids and when I checked my oil I noticed a clear smell of gasoline in the oil.

Could the removal of the intake silencer really cause a rich enough condition to cause something like that? I really doubt it, myself. From what I understand, gas in the oil is usually a big problem.

My car doesn't even have 60k on the clock yet and has yet to throw a CEL throughout this ordeal. Big repairs are going to suck...

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[NightHawk]

you dont want to remove the whole damn thing, just hack of the big part at the bottom and re-attach it!

[Un0RiGiNaL]

i removed the whole thing

[RaceFaceXC]

I don't know if the 02-03's are MAF based or not, but...

Do you have black smoke in the exhaust? Is your exhaust tip black, sooty and oily feeling? If the fuel is getting into the oil through the cylinders and by the rings, you would probably be making some black smoke out the exhaust, too. The known MAF voltage issue, which results in a rich condition is only known to occur below 2K rpm @ high loads. Cylinder wash could cause fuel to get into the oil, but it would have to be pretty severe and i would expect that much gas on the cyl walls would cause other probs with compression and blow by. U might find out some useful info if you send in some of the used oil for a oil analysis. they can usually tell you what is in the oil that shouldnt be, how much there is, and the likely source. This would tell you if your rings are work, or your cyl walls are scored and making metal. Hows the power? have you done a compression check?

[UkNuck]

Originally Posted by atho6

Last night, I noticed it took an abnormally long time for the engine to warm up and an overpowering smell of gas inside the cabin the whole 15 minute ride home.

it's likely nothing to do with the intake - how cold is it in your part of the world? there is a well known issue on the 02-03 with a fuel line leak in freezing temps

[RaceFaceXC]

Originally Posted by UkNuck

it's likely nothing to do with the intake - how cold is it in your part of the world? there is a well known issue on the 02-03 with a fuel line leak in freezing temps

Could be a def. issue but what about the OP being sure that there was gas in the oil? That's what was most alarming to me.

[Bluefoton]

Circumstantial coincidene. It shouldn't be related. Anything on the NA 02-03 prior to the air filter box is just plastic piping. Remove it, replace it, it doesnt affect anything.

Now, you DO have an intake-unrelated problem - unless you accidentally busted something when ripping the intake off?

[atho6]

it's likely nothing to do with the intake - how cold is it in your part of the world? there is a well known issue on the 02-03 with a fuel line leak in freezing temps

Last night when i noticed the strongest gas smell it was about 15 degrees outside.

I don't know if the 02-03's are MAF based or not, but...

Do you have black smoke in the exhaust? Is your exhaust tip black, sooty and oily feeling? If the fuel is getting into the oil through the cylinders and by the rings, you would probably be making some black smoke out the exhaust, too. The known MAF voltage issue, which results in a rich condition is only known to occur below 2K rpm @ high loads. Cylinder wash could cause fuel to get into the oil, but it would have to be pretty severe and i would expect that much gas on the cyl walls would cause other probs with compression and blow by. U might find out some useful info if you send in some of the used oil for a oil analysis. they can usually tell you what is in the oil that shouldnt be, how much there is, and the likely source. This would tell you if your rings are work, or your cyl walls are scored and making metal. Hows the power? have you done a compression check?

Power seems normal, no compression check done. 03s are MAP based. I have not noticed black smoke from the exhaust, I'll check that out next time I take it out to drive.

Now, you DO have an intake-unrelated problem - unless you accidentally busted something when ripping the intake off?

I was pretty sure it was unrelated to the intake, but I still owe my nagging mother about 4k on the car and as long as I owe her money she feels she has a say in whats wrong with my car and how i f***ed it up.

We have a mechanic in the family that is coming to take a look at the car tomorrow.

[UkNuck]

Originally Posted by RaceFaceXC

Could be a def. issue but what about the OP being sure that there was gas in the oil? That's what was most alarming to me.

It's hard to say whether that's normal or not - a certain amount of fuel dilution is inevitable, so depends on how many miles on the oil, usage patterns (particularly extended idling / short journeys). Dipstick sniffing isn't particularly reliable, if the OP is concerned then a used oil analysis (e.g. Blackstone) is in order.

[RaceFaceXC]

Originally Posted by UkNuck

It's hard to say whether that's normal or not - a certain amount of fuel dilution is inevitable, so depends on how many miles on the oil, usage patterns (particularly extended idling / short journeys). Dipstick sniffing isn't particularly reliable, if the OP is concerned then a used oil analysis (e.g. Blackstone) is in order.

I agree, thats why i mentioned the oil analysis in my initial post.