Intake manifold gasket

I have read that many folks in this forum have Intake manifold gasket (IMG) problems. I have had the gaskets replaced 3 times. First was under warranty. Last two have been in the 200 – 300 dollar price range. The last time was in Nov 05, the truck is starting to act up like the gasket is failing again.

Does anyone know what is causing these failures and is there a permanent fix?

Gasket replacement is getting to be expensive!:banghead:

incorrect torque. Isuzu has changed it 3 times. I think it is 11ft lbs now.

Check over at www.planetisuzoo.com. I know it was recently posted there.

I went to planetisuzoo.com and did a search in forums on intake manifold and torque. Got 45 hits and they all said 13 ft lbs.

just checked isuzu service manual it is 13 ft lbs

I just wrote that I torqued my bolts on my IMG to 11 ft lbs because they just cracked and year ago I installed them at 14 ft lbs. Someone wrote a response to me that torque wrenchs lose accuracy in the lower settings and I should buy a smaller one. Sounds good to me.

Here is a question. Can we make our own gaskets? My thought is that Isuzu made the gaskets out of plastic and plated top and bottom with steel to 1) make and airtight seal 2) to expand and contract with heat so as not to crack the aluminum manifolds.

Can you make a gasket out of solid 3/16 plate steel, aluminum, copper or heat resistance composite material (plastic or hard rubber)?
If you made an aluminum gasket with a paper or liquid gasket on top and bottom would this not be a better solution. The expansion and contraction rate would be the same as the manifold.

John

You probably should be torqueing with an inch/pound torque wrench. 11 ft/pds = 132 in/pnds

i believe they have copper gaskets, im not too sure about intake gaskets but i have some friends that build race engines with copper gaskets on the heads... im looking for a copper intake gasket myself, but the vehicle im regarding is a 97 pontiac grand prix 3800 series

For a grand prix you can probably find copper gaskets but not for the rodeo. Can only get the thick plastic ones isuzu uses, not so much aftermarket for isuzu parts.

Can you just buy a sheet of copper the right thickness. I could probably machine it to the right demensions