Pulled Mani, VICS plate missing, now what?

[tube]

After smashing my #4 spark plug twice, I finally pulled the mani. (Big thanks to Mapi19, this thread really helped http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123822489-FS-Intake-Manifol-Removal&highlight=intake+removal)

Now the mani's off and here's what I'm looking at:

The missing plate was in the lower manifold, and I have it. I haven't located any of the 3 missing screws. I'm not terribly worried about them as I've been driving with it like this for a few weeks, so I'm guessing/hoping they made it out the exhaust. Other than a slightly rough idle, the engine really has been running fine, I have been careful not to rev it high though.

My main question is, what now? The VICS is necessary, right? I can't just remove it? Should I try to get new screws at a dealer and just put it back together? If I do that, is it likely that more screws will just start coming out?

I don't care about performance, just want a reliable car. And I want to avoid having to pull the mani again.

So, buy new screws? Buy a whole new upper mani? What do you guys think?

I saw several threads where people had there's fixed at the dealer, and several others about removing the VTCS, but could find much on what to do about the VICS issue.

Thanks.

 

[tweety2300]

Get new metal screws and loctite them

 

[mp5la]

FSY113SRZ

Get that part number, it comes with all of the gaskets as well as all of the VICS screws. Using that you'll be able to put everything back together and it only runs about $15. Get the red loctite to put on the new screws. Remove all of the other screws, loctite them, and reinstall. If the car seems to be running ok, I'd just put it back together and keep going. Maybe use a mechanics stethoscope and see if you hear anything rattling around internally.

If you're worried about any damage, you could always pull the head and check.

 

[mp5la]

Also, I'd leave the VICS functional (meaning, replace the screws and the plate that fell out), as it really only helps you with a stock/mostly stock car. If you think you want to remove the VTCS and port/polish the manifold now would be a good time to do it as well.

 

[whatusername]

get a 626 intake manifold and worry no more

 

[tube]

Thanks for all the fast replies guys.

I talked to the dealer and they do carry a kit that includes both gaskets and replacement screws. So it looks like I'll be going that route (would've been smart to get the part before I ripped it apart, but oh well). I'm glad I was able to find the missing valve as they don't sell those.

Thanks for the 626 suggestion. If this was a newer car, I'd consider it. But it has 145k on it already. If just going the loctite route will hold it together for another 60k, I'd be more than happy.

 

[P-Funk!]

WalMart has a borescope FS for like $70 IIRC... [mind is blown]

 

[tube]

Just to add a little closure to the thread...

Dealer had the kit (screws + gaskets) for $20. I got a snake with a magnet and fished around for screws, but never found anything. Best guess is they all made it out the exhaust.

Dealer said the screws on the kit had loctite already, I added a little more just to be safe and put it all together.

Fast forward a few weeks and the car is running fine still. If the screws did any damage on the way out it must have been minimal.

Thanks for the feedback everyone, and thanks again to Mapi19 for the tutorial, it was a bit help. I tried the hayes manual first and it was completely worthless. After getting stuck on it, I found info on here and the rest went really smoothly. The most time consuming part of everything was just cleaning the old gasket off.

 

[Flav]

get a 626 intake manifold and worry no more

A little more insight on this would be helpful? Why the 626 manifold? And does it matter what specific year/model?

 

[Flav]

^ anyone?

 

[P-Funk!]

You will find smashed screws on the front of the first cat.

Did you find the plate?

 

[sleepwalker]

Did you find the plate?

First sentence under the picture in the OP.

I'm almost afraid to take off my intake manifold and see if the VICS assembly is intact. Not certain, but I'm pretty sure the IM hasn't been removed since it got put on in Japan. And I'm just past 210k miles.

 

[Ice88]

^ anyone?

Forum search. I know its a new invention n all...

 

[T-Rash]

Just remove all the plates, reinstall the manifold and enjoy the high revs from 4K rpms and up...

 

[P-Funk!]

First sentence under the picture in the OP.

I'm almost afraid to take off my intake manifold and see if the VICS assembly is intact. Not certain, but I'm pretty sure the IM hasn't been removed since it got put on in Japan. And I'm just past 210k miles.

Yep! D'oh! ><