Upper and Lower Intake Manifold Gaskets

[Stinger357]

I have a question about these. Can any damage occur by having bad gaskets for an extended period of tiime. I notice I am losing coolant through the intake, also I am getting 7 miles to the gallon. And the truck has trouble starting and chokes and dies several times when first started. Once it is running it runs good. I plan on getting them replaced next weekend but it is gonna cost me 408 dollars. Mostly labor. But back to my original question, can I hurt the engine by running it this way?

Also is an oil change madatory when changing these gaskets out?

 

[desertsky]

I have been running mine with the check engine light on for 6 months. lean banks 1 and 2. I know it is the gaskets because i sprayed them with some PB Blaster to locate the leak and it idled great for a week after!

Unless it is running so bad that you burn a piston, you should be OK. The water leak is likely a bad head gasket, though.