Upper intake Gasket

[Atrum Rosa]

It's that time. I had my car in the shop to chase down some electrical gremlins and they let me know that I'm losing oil and coolant from my intake manifold gasket. My repair manual is not with me right now, but I'm curious, how tough is this job? Any common pitfalls , or things to look out for? I've got a fairly well equipped garage.

[Docta]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

It's your upper? weird.. typically the lower leaks. But with some common sense it takes an afternoon. Get aluminum lower gaskets though. And make sure to silicone the corners.

[WarShrike]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

It's pretty simple, just beware of the cowl, it likes the flesh.

[Atrum Rosa]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

It's your upper? weird.. typically the lower leaks.

This was the recommended part on their invoice estimate:

http://www.amazon.com/Fel-Pro-MS9580.../dp/B000C2EDMC

[insidethreat07]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

It's pretty simple, just beware of the cowl, it likes the flesh.

This

And if youre gonna do the upper you might as well do the bottom one as well

[flamingchicken]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

The little clips that hold the cowl together will tear you up. Its best to clip them off with dykes to save some pain. The job is relatively easy, the worst part is the metal bracket on the passenger side head. The bolts on the plenum are 3/8 not 10mm.

[Docta]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

This was the recommended part on their invoice estimate:

http://www.amazon.com/Fel-Pro-MS9580.../dp/B000C2EDMC

Yes, that's the lower intake gasket.

And watch out for the two bolts inside the lower intake. There's one on the left front of it, and one in the right rear {facing the engine} and they're buried down inside next to the ports.

http://www.amazon.com/Fel-Pro-MS9574...+plenum+gasket

That would be an upper intake gasket, more commonly referred to as the plenum gasket.

[Atrum Rosa]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

Gotcha. I'll likely do both while I'm in there, I appreciate the clarification.

[enzia35]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

What timing. I'm looking to maybe get this done soon myself. What other parts are needed? I'll upgrade to aluminum coolant elbows while they're on there.

[Docta]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

The gasket sets typically come with everything you need.

[enzia35]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

Here's all the parts that I think are needed on such a job (upper/lower intake gaskets):
Lower gasket kit
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...339&cc=1371248

Heater hose "elbows"
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...103&cc=1371248

And then I found this Dorman kit for the upper intake manifold, think it'll fit our car? It fits everything else that uses the 3800 series 2.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=370875

Otherwise, it would be this gasket kit for the upper intake manifold
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2194744

[Docta]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

Here's all the parts that I think are needed on such a job (upper/lower intake gaskets):
Lower gasket kit
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...339&cc=1371248

Heater hose "elbows"
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...103&cc=1371248

Yes, those are correct.

And then I found this Dorman kit for the upper intake manifold, think it'll fit our car? It fits everything else that uses the 3800 series 2.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=370875

Otherwise, it would be this gasket kit for the upper intake manifold
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2194744

These are for a FWD 3.8. The first is the actual intake, second is a gasket set for the FWD. Neither will work for us.

The "upper intake" is referred to as a plenum gasket on most sites for our cars.

[enzia35]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

So then, this one huh?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...724&cc=1371248

It says throttle body gasket not included, is that something else I should get?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...415&cc=1371248

Why are they so different (the upper intake)?

[Docta]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

So then, this one huh?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...724&cc=1371248

It says throttle body gasket not included, is that something else I should get?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...415&cc=1371248

Why are they so different (the upper intake)?

You should get the TB gasket if you plan on taking it off. You don't necessarily need to. And the FWD intake has a different design, upper and lower. The EGR goes up from the bottom of the LIM and into the upper as well, and on the old ones, is known to melt the intake.

[enzia35]

Re: Upper intake Gasket

You are wise and knowledgeable, Docta.