Intake manifold gasket - the sequel

[hufhouse]

I did mine in February, and it looks like I might have to do it again.

I have coolant leaking into a little black hollow underneath the thermostat housing. Blackstone says I still have signs of coolant in my oil.

I'm not looking forward to this.

I keep wondering what I did wrong the first time, and whether I could just correct the problem by re-tightening the bolts or something. My torque wrench doesn't read in in-lbs, so I wasn't really sure that I was tightening them correctly. I divided by 12, so I think I did it right.

And then there's that one on the front left that you have to use a crow's foot...are you really sure you're torqueing it correctly?

Also, I re-used the bolts last time and used that white GM thread-lock paste. Should I have used something else?

I don't know...should I get someone else to do this?

[maxwedge]

The bolts are supposed to be replaced with updated ones and new torque settings.

[hufhouse]

Would it hurt (or help) anything if I just go get the new bolts, take off the upper section, remove the old bolts, replace and re-torque?

I suppose it depends on what I find when I take off the plenum. If a bolt or bolts are looser than they should be, then I might have some success.

What do you all think? I really don't want to do the whole thing over if I don't have to.

[maxwedge]

If it is leaking it is too late to worry about the bolts, they should be used as part of the update along with the revised torqueing procedure.

[hufhouse]

Originally Posted by maxwedge

If it is leaking it is too late to worry about the bolts, they should be used as part of the update along with the revised torqueing procedure.

Why? Won't tightening everything down correctly (if it wasn't done correctly to begin with) create a seal between the new gaskets (well, new as of a few months ago) and the mating surfaces?

I asked today at the dealership service department when I bought the bolts, and they said that it could very well solve the problem, especially since my leak was so slight.

Actually, I just finished putting in the new bolts (expensive little things!) and found that the new torque specs are much higher on the outside bolts than I was using before. I have to leave everything apart for now, but I hope to get it all back together tomorrow night.

I'll let you all know what happens. I really don't want to do the whole repair all over again.

[maxwedge]

Hey, I hope it works, usually this is temporary, but what can you loose.