3.1 eng intake manifold gasket leak
#1
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Thread Starter
3.1 eng intake manifold gasket leak
This happens to be on a 2002 Century
Not leaking a lot, a 12oz soda bottle every few days......
Researching this , it seems common that radiator fluid leaking due to the gasket being deteriorated or loose bolts, is a common problem.
Was leaking, last year I tightened down the 4 main bolts, but could see/reach the end ones, particularly on the Driver side, near the thermostat. (that is the area of the leak)
Tightening did help, and they were loose (got a half to 3/4 turn on some).
It seemed to stop it for almost a year.
I notice it it leaking again. Same area.
Two questions,
1) anyone know where the end bolts are near the thermostat ? a pic or diagram ?
2) Since I'm not going to pay or replace the gasket myself, the only 2 options are to re-tighten
and/or try some leak sealer. Can anyone recommend a brand/type to use ?
Not leaking a lot, a 12oz soda bottle every few days......
Researching this , it seems common that radiator fluid leaking due to the gasket being deteriorated or loose bolts, is a common problem.
Was leaking, last year I tightened down the 4 main bolts, but could see/reach the end ones, particularly on the Driver side, near the thermostat. (that is the area of the leak)
Tightening did help, and they were loose (got a half to 3/4 turn on some).
It seemed to stop it for almost a year.
I notice it it leaking again. Same area.
Two questions,
1) anyone know where the end bolts are near the thermostat ? a pic or diagram ?
2) Since I'm not going to pay or replace the gasket myself, the only 2 options are to re-tighten
and/or try some leak sealer. Can anyone recommend a brand/type to use ?
#2
Bight the bullet and replace the intake gaskets. The intake bolts are not supposed to be "tight" I was surprised at the inch lbs of torque they are considered tight at.
Felpro makes some very good gaskets to correct the problem. My friend put it off and ended up locking the engine in less than 2 miles.
It'* just gonna get worse.
Here is what it looks like replacing gaskets
You can see the two bolt holes in the heads on the drivers side. I think those are the ones you wanted a picture of.
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CathedralCub (02-07-2018)
#3
The gaskets in the post above are Victor Reinz. They make an economy gasket thats ok, but as you see I'm replacing them. I went all out and had the heads reworked also.
Car runs great and should last a long long time. It has 139,000 and no CEL. The 3.1 was a poor design as far as the intake. This is a 1998 Century.
To just change the Intake gaskets you could do it in a day. Take pictures and label things. The electrical connections don't connect to anything but what they should.
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CathedralCub (02-07-2018)
#4
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Thread Starter
The leak is very minor, sometimes not at all.
I put a cup or two of water in every week or so.
Is there a product that I can put in the radiator, that will seal the gasket ?
Now days there are many, in the bottle, products, head gasket sealer etc..
I'm not crazy about using those type of things, but if it works it would be worth it.
I put a cup or two of water in every week or so.
Is there a product that I can put in the radiator, that will seal the gasket ?
Now days there are many, in the bottle, products, head gasket sealer etc..
I'm not crazy about using those type of things, but if it works it would be worth it.
#5
Senior Member
I don't think you will find one tech here that will recommend a fix in a bottle, because they tend to create other problems as well.....
Those lower intake bolts have a specific sequence and torque to them, and it is not much, just inch pounds....so you can easily over torque them.....and they need sealant on them....
Those lower intake bolts have a specific sequence and torque to them, and it is not much, just inch pounds....so you can easily over torque them.....and they need sealant on them....
Last edited by Tech II; 05-31-2017 at 02:41 PM.
#6
Senior Member
True Car Nut
I wish we had an easy button for you, but those gaskets will have to be replaced. Any product you add to the coolant a fix a leak (whether it is a radiator leak or a head gasket leak) will cause more problems than it fixes. It tends to clog up small passageways, and your cooling system will never perform as well with that stuff in there. Cranking on the head bolts could warp the heads. Continuing to add water is a temporary fix, but the condition will only get worse.
#7
2001 Buick century
77k miles
similar issue with intake manifold gasket,
i bought the car with 59k, changed the dex with standard green coolant, and new thermostat
coolant reservoir shows a little sludge hard to tell if it’* from oil or a seal treatment
only leaking a few drops below the EGR, and above the starter
looking at the manual for replacement looks a little ambitious for me, though it seems if I do the upper I should do the lower
is it worth it to have the head gasket changed at this point?
and recommendations for gaskets
thanks
77k miles
similar issue with intake manifold gasket,
i bought the car with 59k, changed the dex with standard green coolant, and new thermostat
coolant reservoir shows a little sludge hard to tell if it’* from oil or a seal treatment
only leaking a few drops below the EGR, and above the starter
looking at the manual for replacement looks a little ambitious for me, though it seems if I do the upper I should do the lower
is it worth it to have the head gasket changed at this point?
and recommendations for gaskets
thanks
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