P2 T5, fixing reduced performance mode + giving it TLC... need help please

Hey people,

My P2 2.4 T5 2006 went into "Reduced Performance Mode" and although it drove fine, the power was slightly but noticeably off.

The fault codes indicated
- P2281 Air leak between MAF and Throttle Body.
- P0100 and P0602 - I was assuming this is the the ECU saying 'Hey im expecting this much air, but only getting this much.. somethings up!".
Attachment 29971
I already knew it had an air leak somewhere when I got it remapped last December becuase the MAF readings were a little down but being lazy and having too much fun with the power :banana:, I ignored it...

Long story short... I found that the seal on the dipstick tube had failed and gunky oily crap was spewing out all around my catch can, alternator and generally under the intake manifold.

This is a picture of the bottom of the dipstick pipe once I cleaned it up, it was much worse..
Attachment 29974

After taking off the intake manifold and degreasing\decarbing everything I noticed this in the pipe coming out of the intercooler and into my main turbo pipe.
Attachment 29972

This rip was originally covered up by loads of gunk (from failed dipstick pipe seal I assume...) - air leak found

How best to remove the dip stick pipe, clean it, change the seal and refit?

Also I cant take off this damn bolt so I cant change the intake manifold gasket, something on top of the alternator is hampering the bolt from fully unscrewing... any advice? Its the last 1!
Attachment 29973

Anything else I should be maintaining while I have the intake manifold off?

Cheers in advance for all your help
Sanj :Handshake

check the hose between the turbo and the rip pipe is on tight as this has a habit of coming loose

Update,

So the dipstick pipe... I just pulled it out lol

I had an idea of making a tiny slit in the intake manifold gasket to get it around that bolt... Seems like someone already had the same idea as the old one came off without taking that bolt off because they slit it in the same place.

Looking to rebuild on weekend

The bottom bolts do not unscrew all the way. You just rest the manifold onto them as a guide to fitting in the correct place. You only fully remove the top bolts.

If you've removed the manifold, you may aswell replace the PCV and clean the ETM too.

It could've been the leaking boost pipe that covered everything with oil, it gets messy when boost escapes.

Thanks for the replies.

- the pcv looked in good order and fairly new but couldn't get the catch can off however cleaned out most of the pcv pipes and de carbed the ETM.

All back together now and it's made such massive difference. Shems map has been reborn

Does white vapour emit from the dipstick tube when idling?
If it does, your PCV is definitely blocked.

Also, the thing that stopped you removing that bottom bolt was in fact the Thermostat/Coolant temperature housing.:B_thumb: