What else to do during EGR cleaning?

I know the info is out there here on Priuschat, but there's just so much to read through. I think the fact that we're not able to go back and edit posts indefinitely, makes it harder to compile everything together. I'm definitely slowly reading through it, but it'll take time.

Anyways, I was hoping for some advice about what else to try to tackle, and how to go about doing it. I'm going to be replacing my engine coolant, inverter coolant, and my water pump, so I thought I'd work on cleaning stuff out while I have the coolant already drained. I'm planning to clean my EGR pipe and cooler, intake manifold, throttle body, and replace my PCV valve, before refilling my coolant. I'm planning to use NutzAboutBolts's videos. I'm also hoping to install an oil catch can, but I don't have access to a 3D printer to print the bracket used in NutzAboutBolts's video. Can I use zip ties or something for now? Or can I buy the bracket from somewhere?

The car has 150k miles right now. Anything else I should tackle while I have the coolant drained, and while I have these parts out? Any sensors I should clean/replace, like the coolant thermostat, the MAP sensor, or the MAF sensor? Also, whats the best order to do everything I'm planning to do? I've never done any of this stuff before, but I think I should be okay with the videos.

Another question: In NutzAboutBolts's EGR and EGR Cooler Cleanings video, he links the spark plug replacement video in the description. Any specific reason he does that? Should I also be changing my spark plugs while doing this? It didn't seem to me like the spark plugs are made more easily accessible while doing these cleanings, but I might've missed something.

If/when I do change my spark plugs, how do I check the coils to make sure those are good? What else should I check while doing the spark plugs?

Sorry for all the questions; I don't know much about cars, but I'm starting/trying to learn by doing my own maintenance/repairs. That, and I probably can't afford to pay to have all these things done

 

Oh, didn't notice that the cowl is taken off for the EGR clean. Must've missed that.

Where did you wedge the catch can? Got a picture?


Any info on how to check coils when I replace my spark plugs? Also, should I be cleaning/replacing any sensors like the coolant thermostat or the MAP/MAF sensors?

 

I'm not sure I'm looking in the right place in your picture ... is your oil catch can the black cylinder with the 2 hoses, next to the coolant reservoir? And "above" the hood latch?

 

Thanks! I think I see it. I'll have to take a look at my engine bay to see where I might be able to wedge the can

Nice . I guess if it works, it works. Is that the catch can that lets you put a filter on it?

 

Well... I wasn't able to get the EGR cooler & valve done this last weekend... I drained the engine coolant, got the new engine coolant pump on, got the EGR pipe clean, got the intake manifold relatively clean (what's the best way to clean the intake manifold, by the way?), cleaned the throttle body, changed the PCV valve, and replaced my spark plugs. However, the cooler was just way too difficult to even remove...

I still have everything apart from this weekend... I'm hoping I can get it done this coming weekend. Hopefully I'm able to put everything back together. All those bolts and hoses can make a person's head spin . I may have already mixed some bolts up .

I had a question about this bolt NutzAboutBolts mentions at 9:49 in his EGR cooler video. It's not clear to me where exactly the bolt he's referring to there is. Can someone clarify?

 

Hmm that may be the one I was looking at towards the end of my attempt last weekend, but I was having trouble actually getting my wrench to reach it. I may have to borrow some extensions from a friend.

Is it this type of brush?

By this, do you mean the 4 big oval shaped ports? Around which the red (I guess if it's the original Toyota part) gasket goes? Or is it a port inside those oval holes? Or something else entirely?

What is the intake, or at least the ports, made of? It felt different from the material the EGR pipe was made of, so I was hesitant to get rough with it

 

I had ordered a gasket, #22271-37010 (Fuel Injection Throttle Body Mounting Gasket), mistaking it for the Q-shaped red gasket that goes in the hole where the EGR connects to the intake. It was only about $4.50, but I'm wondering if I can use it, or if I should try returning the next time I'm at the dealership. I don't think I've seen the same gasket on any of the parts I removed, so I'm guessing it won't be useful to me.

By the way, what's the correct part number for the Q-shaped red gasket between the intake and the EGR? Should I bother replacing it? The old one seems alright, but I really have no frame of reference.

 

So... I still have the car apart . Wasn't able to work on the car last weekend due to a family issue that came up. Got back to it today.

Went back over the intake manifold with a straw cleaner brush. Tried CRC Brakleen, which may or may not have helped with the tiny EGR passages. However, it didn't seem to be doing much for the rest of the intake manifold. I sprayed the EGR passages as well as the main oval intake ports with a garden hose (on the nozzle's Jet setting), and saw a bunch of small carbon/gunk pieces come out with the water.

Am I correct in thinking that the interior surfaces of the intake manifold are normally smooth, but the deposits are what gives it that rough feel?

I tried letting some water and 9% vinegar sit in the intake manifold for a while, before going at it with an old toothbrush. Not sure if it helped, but then I rinsed it out and let some OxiClean and water sit, as the interior surface still felt rough in many places (although I could feel a few small areas were now smooth). I went at it with the toothbrush again, but I still feel a lot of roughness. I don't know if it's feasible to get the intake manifold much smoother/cleaner, so I'm letting it dry now, and I'll hopefully put everything back together tomorrow.

Meanwhile, all evening I've been filling water and OxiClean into the EGR cooler (with the EGR valve plugging one end of the cooler), letting it sit, then pouring it out and refilling. The water is still coming out dark brown... Am I doing something wrong? Will the water eventually come out clearer? I will have to stop soon, so that I can dry everything out and put the car back together. Might have to revisit this cleaning later when I can afford to have the car apart...