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I just replaced the intake as well as other items, finally started it up and it looks as though I have a leak at the rear of the intake.
Its not coming from the little oil pressure plug- it just happens to be wet too.
I would like to avoid having to remove the intake again if possible.
Can I just put some RTV on my finger and run it along that section of the intake (from the outside) and hope that it will seal any gaps?
You can give it a try, but typically, once the oil gets on the surface to be sealed, the RTV will not stick until all the oil is removed - which you really cannot do unless you take it all apart again.
You can give it a try, but typically, once the oil gets on the surface to be sealed, the RTV will not stick until all the oil is removed - which you really cannot do unless you take it all apart again.
That's been my experience - worth a shot if you want to, but likely not.
Do good clean-up with brake cleaner and use a good (Ultra Black-type) RTV.
Yep as suggested before you remove the intake, cut the extra RTV away, use brake cleaner and squirt all the area let dry and wipe. Then smear a coat of RTV on the gap and see what happens.
Yep as suggested before you remove the intake, cut the extra RTV away, use brake cleaner and squirt all the area let dry and wipe. Then smear a coat of RTV on the gap and see what happens.
Another thing you can do is apply vacuum pressure (like literally with a shop-vac) to the carb to draw some of the sealant inward.
If you do pull the the intake, after scubbing with brake cleaner, use some fine sandpaper to clean that gasket surface completely. Also gives a good surface for the rtv to adhere to. Make sure you seal that pressure port also, just in case.
For the OP. If you do pull the intake and reseal use this sealer. Permatex Ultra Grey. It is not your normal RTV. GM also has it in a caulking gun tube called Engine Sealant. It is good stuff. mike...
I had a similar leak there and pretty much did what these guys are saying and that fixed it. Removed intake, cleaned the surfaces with brake cleaner, covered the lifter valley and ports and took to it with some sandpaper. Cleaned up again, let dry, sealed with RTV, all good since.
I learned the HARD WAY that the surface has to be absolutely clean.
I also learned the hard way that you can't substitute the intake manifold gasket with RTV. Use gaskets on the heads, use RTV on the block.
In addition to the cleaning comments:
Make sure you drop the manifold carefully, as re-positioning can disturb the RTV and lead to leaks.
Oldsey intakes are the worst due to the wide block; I use studs in 2 diagonal corners to properly align the drop.