I used the 5-sided (pentagon) Stihl weedwhacker line to clean my EBP tube. This line is very abrasive and did a great job of scraping down the insides of the tube.

I chucked up the line to a 18v Dewalt drill. It took a long time and a lot of brake cleaner - seemingly the whole tube was packed.

How often do these tubes re-plug? Should I do this yearly? I'm sure it had not been done in 170K miles, based on the truck.

 

I tried two different sizes of weed wacker line red and orange would not get close. Tried stainless 18 gauge wire would not work, could not find a speedometer cable I think that may have worked. Ended up using a real stiff flexible wire and spent a hour trying to get it through. Finially it came out but I don't think it was very open.

I think I am going to cut open that tube and see what it looks like on the inside. I could blow through it and put brake clean through it. For $39 bucks I bought a new tube and a bit more for a new sensor..

 

I just cut the old tube open is about 6 places. It is about 30% blocked in places especially where the tube bends. This is after I spent over an hour putting a can of brake clean through it and a small wire. I suspect the small wire was getting hung up on the caked up carbon on the inside. I would look for a speedo cable if you plan on cleaning instead of replacing. Cut it down and use your drill. I think it would be flexible but firm enough to get through...

 

How often should the tube be cleaned?

 

As often as you see fit. Perhaps every 50k? Longer wont hurt anything though.

 

19.32 MPG Tugly that is not bad. My overhead display on my 08 6.4 was always about 3 to 4 MPG higher than actual hand calculations.

 

When I removed mine it was the biggest pain in the ***. took 45min. to get the rusted tube off then I could not get anything through the tube since if was so packed in. ordered a new tube and then it took another 45min. to put back on. from know on Im taking it off of the manifold and cleaning it from to the top on the truck. On the good side I have seen better MPG

 

all i noticed after cleaning mine and putting a new sensor on was slightly smoother shifts. no real change in economy.

i could not get my tube all the way out with the bracketry for the 2nd alternator in the way... but some trimmer line, my trusty dewalt...and some winchester powder blast got it opened up pretty easy.

xtof

 

Is there a trick to getting the tube off? I tried cleaning mine awhile ago but could not fully remove the tube. I am guessing that my second alternator down there is making this much more difficult. Has anybody with a dual alternator taken theirs off before? I am probably going to just buy a new tube and cut the old one into pieces to remove, but I need to be able to put a new one back on whole. I would prefer to do this without removing any interference (like the lower alternator) if I don't have to. I know that my tube is fairly packed and with 215K on it I might as well replace it.

Thanks for any help.

 

brian...

i could not get mine off either with the 2nd alternator bracket in place.
for us ... replacing the tube completely requires the removal of the 2nd alternator.


xtof

 

I picked up this drain cleaner from Harbor Freight it is about the perfect size and worked pretty decent for cleaning the tube out.

 

I was afraid of that but was hoping that maybe somebody discovered a trick. I tried for about 2 hours to remove the tube when I gave up and bolted it back on.

Thanks for the info. I will make sure to set aside the approriate amount of time and band-aids on my next attempt.