1996 Century 3.1 Intake Gasket

[lpaz1]

I need to buy the manual for this, but I am getting pretty close to removing the Lower Intake manifold on the engine. I have the upper intake manifold off but my question was about the fuel rails and the injectors. is it necessary to remove the injectors, or can they just come off with the lower intake manifold?

Also, I didn't notice any gaskets on the upper intake manifold, should it have had gaskets on it?

Finally, if anyone has done this, anyone have any tips or tricks on this? it seems the two rubber hoses on the underside of the upper intake are real pain to get to, anyone know a good way to access these better, or any way to get them to go back on easier?

Sorry for all the questions, as you can tell, its my first time attempting to do this.

[Joseph6055]

I have a couple questions and answers for you First off are you going to be taking off the heads or just the upper and lower manifolds? If you are taking them both off then you need to carefully remove the fuel injector rod. Be very careful as the fuel system is under a lot of pressure. Do not smoke or have any source of ignition anywhere close by. As for the two hoses-I am not sure which ones your a referring to. There are a lot of hoses, plugs, wires, and connections on the top of the engine of this car. When I did mine I had to number each one then disconnect them. Be sure to remember how the vacuum lines went-if they go on wrong when you put them back together there will be a lot of new issues. As for the gaskets, There should be a gasket on every manifold you take off. The upper manifold should have a flexible gasket on it. It is not a rubber type but it is still flexible. The lower manifold has a plastic/rubber gasket that you need to replace once removed. You will see what I mean once you pull the manifolds off. If the manifold did not have a gasket then that is a problem. The exhaust manifold (if you are removing that one) has a metal gasket. I believe it is aluminum. You will also need to remove the EGR valve and the EGR pipe-these two gaskets also need to be replaced. And the throttle body may need to be removed and that gasket will also need to be replaced. Anything you take off that has a gasket should always have the gasket replaced. First thing you need to do is get a manual-it tells you everything you need to know including torque specs. Very handy to have.

[lpaz1]

Sorry for the late reply. Right after posting this, I had some computer issues.
Anyway, the two hoses I was referring to look to be fuel line hoses, that are underneath the top intake, very near to the plenum location. Anyway, maybe I'm the only one who seems to have problems with those, especially re-connecting them.

Since posting this I have the job finished, and tried to be mindful of the torque specs, but I am not sure I have things sealed up good. When I top the radiator off, I notice a little antifreeze dripping what looks to be right under the pulleys. I have looked, but I can't see where it is coming from. I have left it just a little below the radiator fill tube, and it doesn't seem to leak, and so far hasn't overheated. But I'm not sure I have things quite right, so I am still checking it for leaks.