Thread: I think my intake manifold gaskets are leaking?

I wrote another thread on mentioning about replacing the gaskets as preventative maintenance. The car is an 02, 197k.

Today I was looking around the upper intake manifold around the back and noticed coolant or something dark pooling along the bottom of the upper intake right on top of the lower intake manifold, and this pooling was going all the way the entire length of the bottom of the upper intake manifold by the fuel injectors. I looked in front along the other side by the fuel injectors and there's what appears to be coolant piddling near one or two injectors right above the upper intake manifold. I pulled the oil dipstick, and the oil looked and smelled normal. I looked at the bottom of the oil cap and it wasn't milky, but I noticed some 'condensation' that surely wasn't oil. I rubbed my finger underneath the oil cap and put the tip of my tongue on this 'liquid' that was on my finger tip from the oil cap and it tasted SWEET like coolant!!!!!! I opened the radiator cap, and it appears there's green coolant mixed with dex red carp.

I've read that the intake gaskets are known to leak. But in my research I've also read about head gasket issues. I've also read about the upper manifold melting near the egr port and needing replaced. I've also seen a youtube video where the lower intake needed to be replaced because the red coolant corroding the lower intake surface. I've also read dormans lower intake manifolds are garbage. I'm getting a little paranoid reading all this.

I've owned the car 3 weeks. I haven't been losing coolant or that I've noticed. It runs amazing and it DOESNT overheat or run hot. I'm getting no white smoke from the exhaust.



So what should I do? replace the upper and lower gaskets and go from there? could my head gasket be shot?

Are those dorman gasket kits that include a new upper intake manifold any good? they have the dorman upper manifold kits for $59.99 on eBay right here that includes the egr pipe sizes; http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Intak...5df13d&vxp=mtr

auto zone sells the fel pro lower intake manifold gasket with just the gaskets and sealant for $39.99 here. should I get the lower intake gaskets from fel pro and buy that dorman kit for the upper intake online? that seems like it would have everything I need to get the job done minus having to get the coolant elbows seperate

I'd do a LIM gasket change, coolant flush as you should never mix anything with Dex, coolant elbows and go from there. As long as the LIM gaskets are the aluminum ones they will work. Now would also be a great time to replace the valve cover gaskets/bolt grommets to fix/prevent any future oil leaks up top.

Oh, and head gaskets are NOT common on these motors, even it overheated. It takes a lot to break one on these motors.

I seen part of a gasket between the valve cover and lim and it was black and felt metal. i'm assuming this is an aluminum gasket on the lim? are these aluminum gaskets likely to leak after along time? i know the upper intake might not have been done in a while because i pulled the throttle body a few nights ago and the upper intake had lots of carbon. once i pull it and clean it, maybe that'll be the culprit of the leaking because of the plastic?

should i buy that dorman kit on ebay that includes the upper intake manifold and all the gaskets for $59.99? then i was thinking i can just go to auto zone and buy the fel pro lim gaskets and buy some aluminum elbows for maybe $50-$60. i'd like to get the dorman kit online because it's $59.99 and includes the manifold which is almost the same price for the upper gasket kit without the manifold at auto zone. does anyone know if that dorman upper manifold kit is good?

and yes i thought about doing the valve covers too.

this gasket looked rather thick and looked black. so i'm sure it was the lower intake. i'll look closer tomorrow.

3800 series II

thanks Bill. however this condensation tastes sweet, so I'm guessing it's a little bit of coolant? the oil on the dipstick is normal looking but definitely will be changed after doing the gaskets. car runs really good. smooth running, riding, and really quiet. looks really good too.

I just ordered the dorman kit on eBay with the upper manifold and gaskets. for $60 with the plastic manifold seems nice. cant hurt to replace the upper manifold. I'll buy the fel pro lower gaskets at auto zone along with the elbows. hopefully I can start ripping it apart this weekend. I'll probably post a few things with pictures if I'm unsure of some things when disassembling.