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What did I do wrong?


91ToyotaCelica2
10-05-2003, 06:08 PM
I have a 1995 gmc jimmy sle 4.3L vin W. When I had my water pump replaced a year ago the mechanic noticed that there was some build up around the front of the lower intake manifold.He recommended I keep an eye on it and it didnt need to be replaced yet. I wasnt ready to drop the money so i let it go. I have noticed it getting worse and was ready to tackle the job. I got the gaskets and everything. I got it all off, scraped all the surfaces nice and clean and put the new gaskets on after applying some ultra blue RTV. I filled the oil about 5 hours later and the coolant was filled the next morning round 11:00. I noticed a small amount of coolant leaking and it stopped after the engine warmed up. I no longer have any leaking coolant. What I have found tho is that I am now leaking oil from the lower intake manifold to head? surface where it would cross the valley. I used a lot of RTV and i thouight it would seal.I guess i gotta go back and try again. But before i do this has anyone had any similar problems or know of a way to be sure before i tear into it again?

GMMerlin
10-06-2003, 05:19 AM
First off, more is not always better when it comes to RTV.
Use about an 3/8 bead of sealant across the surfaces and then smear some up the head about 3/8 to 1/2 inch on both sides of the gasket.
Personally, I dont use blue RTV or any Permatex RTV products...from experiance, I have found them to cause more problems than they solve (IMHO).
I perfer to use the GM or Kent sealer/adhesive. I have found these 2 products to be far superior and have not had any problems.
Also, did you replace the distibutor gasket/seal...if not, this may be the cause of your leak also.

91ToyotaCelica2
10-06-2003, 05:32 AM
I will have to kee that in mind if/when i go and redo this. Now the chiltons manual said to use a 1/8 inch bead. but they never even said whether or not i was supposed to put it on the area that is leaking. I scraped off a bunch off the lower intake so i assumed i was supposed to. I used a 1/8 bead so that may be why. I did replace the gasket but I m definitly going to pull the distributor out again to check for sure where it is coming from. Also when I was installing the distributor I could not get it to be completly level. It always had a slight angle to it. I didnt really look before so I thought it might have just been normal. Anyone now about this issue?

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