Gunk in Unknown Line

First of all, yes, I searched the hell outta this site and others for the answer, no go.

Just bought my sweet baby, 2003 TRD Taco, 5-speed, 3.4L. When I took off the main air intake tube that attaches to the throttle body, I noticed there was some gunk inside.


It looks to be coming from a smaller secondary line that attaches to the main air intake tube, just before the throttle body.

So first of all, what the hell is this line? It attaches just under the plenum on the back side of the engine, looks like to some kind of manifold??? And secondly, why is there gunk/grease coming out of this line and into the main air intake?

Is this a symptom of trouble somewhere else in the engine? I recently sold a 1999 4Runner and it had the same gunk/grease coming from that same line, but I thought it was just that engine. Now that I see my baby Taco has the same gunk I am starting to worry. It does have a K&N air filter, but the main air intake tube is completely gunk/grease free from the air filter to this point, just before the throttle body. Any advise/ideas/smart-ass comments are welcome!! Thanks!

 

that gunk (oil) is from the pcv valve.

 

Is this normal?

 

its just oil vapor that cooled and condensed, it fine

 

Cool beans, thank you kindly!

 

It's the gunk trap tube. You didn't know that?

 

This stuff basically gets on the throttle body, causes other particles to stick to it and eventually leads to a sticky throttle body. It generally takes years for the throttle body to get bad enough that it needs to be cleaned, but as maintenance it wouldnt be a bad idea to check the throttle body every couple years and possible give it a cleaning.

 

I did not. But that's why I'm here, to learn from you smarty pant types

That's exactly why I cracked it open, to check out the condition of the throttle body. It does need a cleaning. I've used Sea Foam in the past but the results weren't that impressive (took before and after pics). I think I'll just tear it all apart and clean it the old fashioned way - with elbow grease & carb cleaner! Thanks for the replies!

 

Check the gerblitzit while your at it.

 

only way to eliminate this is to get an oil catch can