Intake manifold gaskets need replaced again?

[MilenniumExplorer]

Hey guys, my '00 Explorer (OHV) has been leaking oil rather badly, and also happens to be slowly leaking coolant, so I took it to the mechanic. He believes the cause of the leaks is the intake manifold gasket. Which is all well and good, except that back in May of last year, I had the intake gaskets replaced, at a different shop. I'm just curious if in your experience, do they really wear out that quickly? The tech also says it could be the camshaft plug that's leaking but that the transmission blocks it from getting a clear view. It's a fairly pricey repair job with the labor cost involved, and while I doubt I'm being played for a fool, I just wonder if that isn't a misdiagnosis.

 

[EB4X]

So he thinks the coolant is leaking from the intake and the oil is leaking from the valve cover gaskets... so those were all replaced when you had your intake gasket(s) replaced last time.... edge of valve covers overlap intake so V.C.'s have to come off doing main/lower intake.
That is absurd anything would be leaking after just having the gaskets replaced in May.... maybe they didn't torque things down all the way... rookie mistake either way. You might have all bolts checked / re-torqued ....but of course IF the leaks are there then gaskets are likely compromised...but will help mitigate leaks for now.
I would contact the shop that did them and lay down the law and request FREE replacement if indeed they are leaking.

 

[MilenniumExplorer]

So he thinks the coolant is leaking from the intake and the oil is leaking from the valve cover gaskets... so those were all replaced when you had your intake gasket(s) replaced last time.... edge of valve covers overlap intake so V.C.'s have to come off doing main/lower intake.
That is absurd anything would be leaking after just having the gaskets replaced in May.... maybe they didn't torque things down all the way... rookie mistake either way. You might have all bolts checked / re-torqued ....but of course IF the leaks are there then gaskets are likely compromised...but will help mitigate leaks for now.
I would contact the shop that did them and lay down the law and request FREE replacement if indeed they are leaking.

This was kind of how it was explained to me when I asked the tech today about it.
But I actually had the gaskets done in May of LAST year (2019) so the repair job itself is most certainly out of warranty.

 

[410Fortune]

the lower intake on these trucks is a tricky SOB to install, if you do not do them alot it can be easy to screw it up
Also alot depends on what gaskets they used, some are better then others
their torque proceedure needs to be spot on the lower intake and heads actually get torqued together on this engine WHEN DOING HEAD GASKETS

4.0 ohv oil leak spots around back/top of engine = valve covers & oil filter adapter

Coolant leaks around top of engine = lower intake or heater control valve, and at the front of the engine timing cover

For the coolant leak I would ask them to do a pressure test and actually PIN POINT the leak, not just guess

But yes it is quite possible your head gasket repair job ahas left you with leaky gaskets in just a year
It is all about who is doing the work and their experience with these engines
Also you should use Fel pro or Victor Reinz gaskets, perhaps Mahle on these engines and use the TWO PIECE DESIGN< forget the one piece lower intake gasket they SUCK!!!!!!!!
lower intake valley is sealed with silicon, there are many different types of silicon I would use Permatex ULTRA GREY