[christopherlompoc]

if there's a way to "wash" the insides of the Catalytic Converte

I took out the upstream o2 sensor and used a couple cans of gum out spray down the hole to the first cat then hooked up the air compressor to that hole for a few hours... Looking inside with the inspection camera it looked brand new after.

 

[Kg84]

I have a 2012, 2.4, looked into removing the intake manifold. There is an ac line that runs right in front, and that needs to be disconnected which involves evacuating the ac system...never got a solid answer though.

I just did the job last week definitely didn't need to. The oil dip stick has a bracket coming off it. I gently bent it out of the way a little while holding the dip stick tube not to have pressure on it. I got it with a little pressure on the ac line. Not to difficult. More of a pain to get it back in with the cover staying where it should.

 

[richnewton]

We drilled a small hole in the front of the manifold and cleared PCV orifice with a paper clip. Then sealed the hole with a screw. This took a few minutes (see posts and videos online).

There is some risk of breaking the manifold.

Also, by removing the manifold, one can check that all 4 passages inside the manifold are clear.

 

[Kg84]

From that hole there's Pathways to each intake port that can be clogged mine were. Have you tried taking your oil fill cap off while it's running to see if there's a lot of pressure escaping? I was shocked to see how much pressure was coming out. That's why I did the pcv cleaning. It also give a clue to how much blow by is happening around the piston rings. Now that the pcv is clear the pressure is much lower. Now to try and free up the piston rings so it doesn't burn so much oil.