Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement
What is an intake manifold gasket?
For the engine to run, the intake manifold has to be properly sealed to the cylinder head. The intake manifold gasket does this. It may be made of rubber or paper.
How does the intake manifold gasket work?
The intake manifold is a distribution system for air, and sometimes fuel. As the throttle body opens, the engine intake stroke sucks in air through the intake manifold. Cars that don't use direct injection will distribute fuel this way as well, but this system is becoming less common.
Negative pressure, or a vacuum, builds up inside the intake manifold, and the manifold gasket is used to prevent any unwanted air from entering the system.
An intake manifold gasket can be the source of a vacuum leak and/or engine coolant leak.
An intake gasket with a vacuum leak will often have a rough idle and engine misfires. This may turn on the Check Engine Light and set misfire and/or fuel mixture "out of range" trouble codes.
Some intake manifolds are made of plastic. They can become pitted and may need to be replaced along with the intake gaskets.
What are the symptoms related to a bad intake manifold gasket?
Problems with the intake manifold gasket can create the following symptoms:
Illuminated check engine light
Erratic engine performance
Oil and coolant leaks
Poor gas mileage
Stalling
» LEARN MORE: Intake manifold gasket symptoms