Solved replaced lower intake manifold. runs rough

[MuNkY6913]

So I had a really bad coolant leak. It was coming from the top of the engine. Somewhere behind the water pump. So i pulled every thing off and the lower intake manifold gasket had deteriorated almost completely right where the leak was coming from. So I put a new one on and replace the upper and valve cover gaskets while I was in there. Got everything hooked up and it ran a little rough on idle. Took it for a drive and there's very little power. Used to go 45-50 up a hill near my house no could barely get to 30 and it was getting slower and slower. Weird sound coming from engine. It almost sounds like and exhaust leak. Didn't touch the exhaust. I checked like 4 times that I hooked every thing back up. Found a gasket under the car once I came back. Looks like it goes to the egr valve. The pipe that goes from the valve to the right after the throttle body. That is also very loose in the intake. Looks like the previous owner siliconed it in before. I Haven't put the gasket back in between the egr and that pipe yet. Wondering if you guys have any suggestions on what to check. I can only here that noise and it runs super rough while in gear And under load. If I have it in park and rev It it sounds normal. Only had this thing for about a month now. Its a 2000 4.0l pushrod. Any help or suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks guys!

 

[MuNkY6913]

When I pulled into my driveway after the test drive there was smoke coming from the engine bay as well. My buddy said it kinda smelled like burning oil. After leaving it sit for a couple seconds the smoke went away and I couldn't tell where it was coming from. I really hope I didn't break something. Ran fine before I started this. Except for the coolant leak.

 

[AppleWood]

Gasket is there to prevent vacuum leak. And you most likely have another leak where it was previously siliconed. Vacuum leaks equal poor performance which you're experiencing.

 

[MuNkY6913]

That's what I was thinking. I'll have to shove that gasket in there and try to seal that top part. Hopefully that works. I'm going to check again for something I left unhooked. Thanks [MENTION=272239]AppleWood[/MENTION] !

 

[lobo411]

Make sure you have the spark plug wires in the correct firing order.

 

[MuNkY6913]

Make sure you have the spark plug wires in the correct firing order.

I was thinking about that too. I don't think it would run ok when at idle and in park. Even if I rev it in park it still runs smooth. Once it's in gear or has load on it it gets real rough. I'll take a good look at those again.

 

[lobo411]

I was thinking about that too. I don't think it would run ok when at idle and in park. Even if I rev it in park it still runs smooth. Once it's in gear or has load on it it gets real rough. I'll take a good look at those again.

That's exactly how mine works when it's miswired (done that 2x now). Idles perfectly, but put it into gear and it turns into a bucking bronc.

 

[MuNkY6913]

That's exactly how mine works when it's miswired (done that 2x now). Idles perfectly, but put it into gear and it turns into a bucking bronc.

You know how awesome it would be if that was it. Haha. Guess I'll find out soon enough.

 

[MuNkY6913]

Thanks everyone for helping me get this sorted! So I started off today by making sure the spark plug wires we're in the right firing order. Turns out they were. So I went on to the egr gasket and then I was going to silicone the top of the tube. Got the gasket back in and she runs like normal again. Been for a couple test drives and still good and no more coolant leak! Pretty freaking happy about this. Just in time for the single digit cold spell. Thanks again!

 

[drdoom]

Good job munky