How Urgent Is This?

[fast 3.4]

I searched, my question wasn't answered. How urgent is an intake manifold leak to be fixed? It would cost about $500-$600, but I want to get a new exhaust. How neccessary is it for me to get the leak fixed before I put in a new exhaust. Would I be losing power from a leak like this? It just needs to be lifted so a new gasket can be put on. Oil is leaking onto hot pipes, and this causes smoke.

[tWiStEdBird]

Depends on how bad the leak is. $600 to fix?! Do it yourself!

[V8 Killer]

How can someone do it themselves? I think I also have a Intake manifold oil leak too...I dont know where to start.

Fast 3.4,how many miles on your motor?

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by V8 Killer:
How can someone do it themselves?

Let's see....remove intake manifold, swap gasket, replace intake manifold. ;)

[V8 Killer]

oh gee thanks.......theres like 4000 other parts that need to be taken off...Where do I get the gasket?

[98Camaro3.8]

You should be able to get the gasket from any auto parts store.

An intake manifold isn't really that hard to change if you know how to use a wrench. Don't know the details of your motor, but just a few things like fuel rail, alternator, etc. may need to come off.

A Haynes or Chiltons manual will walk you through every step.

[fast 3.4]

My car has 138,000 miles on it. I have the Chilton Camaro manual, which says how to remove the intake manifold for my 94. But I would need my dad to do this, he has swapped engines and done many things before, but I'm not sure how difficult this is, even he might not be up to it. If my dad and I were to do this, how long would it take? How long would my car be out of commission?

Thanks a lot everyone for the replies. I get paid on the 20th, and I will probably choose to do it myself or take it in and have it done by then.

[fast 3.4]

Originally posted by 98Camaro3.8:
You should be able to get the gasket from any auto parts store.

An intake manifold isn't really that hard to change if you know how to use a wrench. Don't know the details of your motor, but just a few things like fuel rail, alternator, etc. may need to come off.

A Haynes or Chiltons manual will walk you through every step.

thanks man.

[terminaldegree]

Well, if your intake manifold is allowing coolant to leak into the combustion chamber, it could be a ticking timebomb. Are you loosing coolant?

I just did one of these [the plastic composite version] on a FWD gm car [a lesabre 3.8]. Granted, it was easier access with the engine rotated 90 degrees and in line with the axle...
Took me a couple of days going really slowly. If I recall, I had to:

remove air cleaner
remove TB
move some vacuum hoses out of the way
remove fuel rail and injectors
remove intake manifold bolts, some of which were hidden
remove intake and gasket
change spark plugs [antifreeze contamination]
change oil and filter [possible antifreeze contamination]

[terminaldegree]

SORRY! I just realized you have a 3.4
I don't really know anything about doing one of those. I'm guessing it's pretty similar...

[stlunatics2oo3]

well i have to change lifters and to do so you have to take the intake manifold off so from what i gathered your gonna take your:
injectors off with fuel rail
plenum (the thing that says 3.4)
first drain your coolant
then there is some minor things like map sensor and what not
then take your lower intake manifold off and there you go
buy the intake gasket set its costs 23 bucks at autozone comes with everything but permatex which you need to put on the gasket area

hope this helps ya
Jeremy

[pontiac nino]

Originally posted by fast 3.4:
I searched, my question wasn't answered. How urgent is an intake manifold leak to be fixed? It would cost about $500-$600, but I want to get a new exhaust. How neccessary is it for me to get the leak fixed before I put in a new exhaust. Would I be losing power from a leak like this? It just needs to be lifted so a new gasket can be put on. Oil is leaking onto hot pipes, and this causes smoke.

Good lord! $500-$600??? The intake gasket costs about $20 and usually takes me about 45mins. to install 2 hours MAX if it's you're first time. Valve cover gaskets (cork type) cost about another $20. If you don't want to do it, I suggest you take it to someone who will charge you less.
Nino

[brink]

they charged me 500 to fix mine.

[pontiac nino]

Back, back in the day, a shop re-tightened my lifters. Paid $80, I took him the upper intake gasket & the valve cover gaskets and he replaced them. :shrugs:

[Die Ford V8]

make friends with a trustworthy mechanic. have your dad do it with you, not only is it bonding time, but you will get to learn from a person and not just a book. you can use his tools at well. ask questions and if he says to do something his way, doing otherwise may make him say, "fine, do it yourself"

just watch, learn and involve yourself in the project. the best way to learn is hands-on. i would swap out the valve cover gaskets too.

and are you sure its the intake manifold that leaks?