Preparing to do the intake manifold gaskets...

[irtySanchez]

I am getting ready to do the upper and lower intake gaskets tommorow (YAY!!!). I am trying to get my laundry list of goods ready for the job. So far this is what I am thinking:

upper and lower intake gaskets, valve cover gaskets, thermostat, spark plugs, RTV sealant, lots of cleaner, rags, labels for the vacuum hoses.

Anyone think of anything else? Since I am going to have all this apart, I want to do as many things as possible so I don't have to take it apart again. Bear in mind, the X has 150,000 miles on it.

Any other thoughts or comments to help me as I dive into this project?????????

And thanks to Generation X for his insightful post on his experience with this job.I will be taking some pictures which I'll try to post as the work progresses.

 

[PekingMan]

Buy some gasket remover. That will make your life a lot easier when cleaning the old gaskets off. Another suggestion would be to maybe do the water pump while everything is out of the way depending on when you last changed it (if ever).

 

[IgotTwo]

Take you time, you are going to have a lotta cleaning, don't breathe in any of that air intake cleaner (unless you want to pass out), and use a lotta rags to plug up all the engine openings....where you don't want thingies to fall in.

I did my 94:
Everyone has their own way to do things but:

Try Napa they have an intake gasket with ribbed edges, it avoided gasket seal...worked great for me. It was great to have the latitude to slide it around to position it properly without worrying if I misplaced all that messy goop.

Bend two pieces of thin aluminum about 1/4 inch wide into a "long" handled "Js" - long end 2" in...the injector connectors come off in a snap without damaging the connectors. ie use them to gently pry the connectors on each side and give them a gentle tug.
Some are hard to get at and they laugh at you when they break.

Look at the unfamiliar connectors....some say "push"
They should say "Don't push and I'll break"

Use some rope to neatly tie back the endless wires and hoses...you won't regret it.

Check the manifold for warping and corrosion in and around the intakes and water inlets....I "gentely"used a mild file and some sand paper on a block for light cleaning.

The intake manifold bolts are known to come loose over time ...I used blue lock tite when they went back together.

Don't put anything back together unless it is clean, shinny and looks pretty. It saves "I should have!" later on! haha

I did not remove the injectors but did clean in and around the "O” rings. I used a toothbrush, tooth picks, and a small BRASS brush for tight spots... watch the "O" rings.

Take pictures of the engine compartment if you get momentary flashes of dyslexia followed by glazed over confusion. They are alot of connections etc that have to come part You don't have to tell anyone "lets go to the video" to make sure.

You may know all this?
I was a happy camper when I was finished. It went great for me.
I'm sure you will be too. Good luck

 

[pabs246]

irty, let me know how it goes. i'm going to have to do my '94 x limited in a week or so. the idle is all over the place and i think i'm losing a tad bit of compression as well.....

 

[irtySanchez]

OK, I'm hung over today so......


Work will be delayed for a few hours, or until my head clears out. That is all

 

[irtySanchez]

Well, I am at the half way point of this project. Everything is going smoother than I planned. As expected, there was some leakage between the lower manifold and the head at the #2 and #5 cylinder, but it really wasn't that bad. Everything else was in tip top shape.

I really can't be;live how many things I have disconnected to get where I am. I devised a little system to keep everything in order. I bought some labels that are super sticky. Every time I disconnect something, I write a number on 2 of the stickers and attach one to each portion that I disconnected. I got up to number 29, so I know I need to reconnect 29 items upon reassembly.

Right now I am in the process of cleaning everything. Lots of sludge and poo everywhere. This has proven to be the toughest part so far.

Well, that's where I am at. I'll post the rest tommorow when I finish.

Be good!

 

[pabs246]

irty, reading your entry here motivated me to go out to AutoZone and purchase the gaskets for my 94x. As of right now i'm taking 15 minutes off...I've removed all the fittings & bolts on the upper intake manifold, removed vacum lines, etc, and am ready to lift off and get to work on that lower manifold. Not incredibly complicated but REALLY tedious and lengthy. Will update upon completion.

-pabs

 

[snapt]

with that many miles, i'd replace the injector o rings, only take 5 minutes

 

[pabs246]

sorry to say that after replacing the upper gasket, i decided that this was a tad too much for me. I'll pay someone 4-500 to do this for me...Internal engine stuff makes me kind of nervous, i suppose.

My car does run much better, though. There was obviously a leak in the upper manifold somewhere.


-pabs

 

[IgotTwo]

sometimes it happens...
you still get 10 points from me for knowing when you were over your head.

you should have at least watched the guys do it.

"Frick" the insurance regulations and rules
Bribe em with beers..that always works

500 posts!!! I shutter to think how many had little or no substance!
I heard that!!!!

 

[oahrens]

From one who knows..

Hello all..

Nice to see some of the "Usual Suspects" are still posting.. I've been away for 4 months or so..
Anyway--

Cheers to pabs for 'knowing when to say when'

Take you're time removeing all the gasket residue...sand down all the seal intakes...Re-Check the torque on the bolts..

****LABEL ALL HOSES AND WIRES******

BTW--- Just replaced head and major port, valve, etc work done on my X....details to follow...