upper plenum/dynamic chamber torque question

I'm probably being anal here, but I've got a question about torquing down the upper intake plenum after cleaning the EGR port. I did this procedure last week to get rid of the P0402 CEL issue. When I tightened it back down, I neglected to torque it properly, mainly because I didn't know there was spec. I snugged it down good I thought. Later when driving it, the P0402 cleared but I got a P0171 in its place (fuel mixture too lean). I assumed that by not torquing the upper intake plenum down good enough, I had created a slight vaccum leak.

SO, when I got home I re-checked the procedure and saw it recommeded 14-18 ft/lbs. So I immediately torqued the upper to 18 ft/lbs (engine still warm), I was afraid I would strip the threads in the lower intake, but it seemed to torque down okay. Now I'm nervous that by torquing the upper intake down while the engine was warm and the metal was still expanded due to the heat, now that it has cooled, it will leak again. Should these bolt be torqued while cold, or warm? Does it matter? Also, can anyone confirm if 18 ft/lbs is about right? I'm extremely paranoid about stripping those lower intake threads.

-Tim

Any torque spec I have ever seen is for a cold motor.....

I would losen them and start fresh, with engine cold.

Did you replace the gasket before you re-installed the upper intake?

I ended up re-torquing them. No, I didn't replace the gasket between the upper & lower intake. If the problem persists I suppose that & replacing vacuum lines will be the next step. Seems okay after re-torque (for now).

Thanks,

-Tim