Coolant Leak Around Intake Manifold
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 64
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From: Warren Mi
Coolant Leak Around Intake Manifold
Im Looking To Buy An 88 Vette, (just Sold My 77) With 17k Miles On It, When I Was Looking The Car Over I Saw Coolant At The Front And Rear Edge Of Intake Manifold Where It Meets The Cyl. Head Is This A Common Problem To These Engines? Looks Like Intake Gasket Has Failed. Any Help Would Be Great.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,723
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba, Canada
Originally Posted by MrRenoman
Definitely something to consider when negotiating. Fixable? Yes. If you're handy with tools and using the manual it's do-able.
Art
Art
If you can do it yourself you will save alot of money. If you can't you have to end up paying someone to do it. Discuss that in the price.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 15
From: Northern California
Sounds like an intake manifold leak to me. A mechanic will charge between $600-700 to fix it.
It took me 15 hours (3 hours just to remove the old gasket from the runners and bottom of intake manifold) including cleaning the garage and a quick lunch.
It took me 15 hours (3 hours just to remove the old gasket from the runners and bottom of intake manifold) including cleaning the garage and a quick lunch.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 802
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From: What do I know anyway? I'm just a 50 year old No0b
Originally Posted by Pete K
It is somewhat common. It is a semi tough job. First time took me 9 hrs. I would probably do it in 6 hrs now.
It seems to be a common ailment on L98's. Mine needed replacing when I bought it last year. It's not that tough of a job, I did mine over a weekend, taking time to wash all parts and paint them as I went.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Yes, it is common and I replaced the gasket on my 86E for the same reason. Takes most of a day to replace (alot depends on if you clean everyting good). I say they should knock about $500 off the price and it should take about $50 +/- if you do it yourself.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
not rare, but most have no problem....coming from a 77 to a tpi will cause you to praise
the guys that designed the tpi, but it gets much easier after the first time...use the $20 intake gasket set and the problem is history
the guys that designed the tpi, but it gets much easier after the first time...use the $20 intake gasket set and the problem is history
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 193
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From: peculiar mo
my gasket was a couple of months old and for some reason started leaking on me so i guess i have to dive back in or put a 383 in hmm. torx bits are the pits i would replace them the bits go to craps fast while putting under torque
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Fairly common - at least common enough for GM to issue a Bulletin in November '89 with a redesign of the heads (none made it into production until '91). Those and current production cylinder heads are counterbored at the front and rear intake bolt holes for gasket retainers. The retainers keep the intake manifold gaskets from slipping when you lay in the manifold and supposedly stop the leak problem. Haven't had one since I switched, but then you never know. The correct gaskets for this design can be difficult to find - most of the aftermarket caters to the F-Body and ZZ4 crate motors which don't use the coolant restrictors at the rear of the manifold. Fixing yours is simply a matter of unbolting parts and correctly installing some new gaskets (and making sure they stay in place when the manifold goes on). Get all the old crap off and don't bang on the plenum runners with anything (which you might be tempted to do if you don't take off the 2 retaining bolts which are somewhat hidden on the back side of each of the runners). Also, line up the distributor with #1 before you remove it and put a mark on the manifold as to where that is. It won't run very well if you put it back a tooth off.
