So what you're saying is just spray through the screen and mop up the run-off??? OK <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

And trust me, I was ready to pull off to the side of the road as soon as I saw the CEL was blinking, but as soon as I took my foot off the throttle the light went completely off. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> I continued cautiously and nothing was the worse. My driving since has not reproduced the flashing light, and I would have thought to see a more serious PCode if it really was a critical situation.

I went under the hood after work today and took a closer look. The IMG appears to be leaking, well at least it sounds like it is. I sprayed carb cleaner on the suspect location (driver's side) and heard a little fizzing, but the idle didn't change very much. I went ahead and ordered the gasket from St. Charles, overnight. I noticed on the Rodeo FAQ page that the part number is 8-97237-538-0, but St. Charles sold me 8-97254-448-0 (I wasn't able to access the FAQ at the time) by description, "Upper IMG". The FAQ part appears to be a single gasket, and the St. Charles guy said I would be getting both gaskets in my purchase. Can anybody confirm if I got the correct part? Otherwise I'll have to call them first thing in the a.m. to change the order.

ALSO, I'm still waiting to see if anyone knows the torque specs on the IM bolts! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I got the procedure from this thread, but it is a little light on the details.

I looked in my haynes manual and it says 17 ft lbs for the intake manifold.

Also when I had my gasket replaced I had three gaskets replaced. There is the top and two sides. Only one was bad though.

There are 2 intake manifold gaskets. An upper and 2 lower. the lower gaskets are where the intake bolts to the heads on the engine. The upper gasket is near the very top of the manifold. I would advise getting both.

Mike W

Fellas, I am really confused... I recieved both gaskets yesterday, they are identical pieces in 2 separate cardboards, both p/n 8-97254448-0. I was expecting something in the left-side/right-side variety, but these appear to span the entire manifold. Why did St. Charles tell me I need 2? I only ordered the upper; this is the one directly behind the fuel rail, correct??? I didn't notice any seams/gaskets above this one so I figured it's the upper. I was also expecting a more substantial gasket. Mine are flimsy paper type, no metal inserts. I'm really concerned that I've got the worng gaskets and I can't afford to render my DD undriveable. Any encouragement or discouragement is welcome. BTW, I think I bought myself some more time by tightening down on the bolts. Thanks

OK, it sounds like you have the upper intake manifold gasket. But the area down by the fuel injectors are the lower gaskets.

Remove the plastic cover over the top of the engine, it snaps in place, just pull up on it. Now if you look at the front where the throttle body is located, look behind the throttle body on the intake, about even with the top of the throttle body. There is a seem there, and that is where the upper intake gasket is located.

There are 2 ower gaskets down by the fuel injectors. I think they are the same left and right, but one gets rotated 180* from the other during installation. The 3 sets of these that I have seen were all a heavy plastic with sheetmetal riveted to both sides. These have 3 main holes in them, sort of elliptical, with and added half circular addition to one side of all the holes.

The upper gasket has 6 openings on each side, alternating small and large roughly 1 1/4 inches in diamter and 2 inches ( rough guess ). Although the one I have in front of me is a single piece.

I'll try to post some pics in a little while.

Also, I got mine locally for about $35 for both upper and lower gaskets.

Mike W

ok, some pics,it'll make alot more sense <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


Above the green arrow shows the location of the upper manifold gasket. The red arrow shows the location of the lower intake manifold gasket

Below is about half of an upper intake maifold gasket. It forms sort of a rectangular gasket, withthe other side have ing a similiar pattern of holes, but the pattern is swapped end for end. Sorry, my scanners not quite big enough!


And below is a broken lower intake gasket. It happens to be a from the passenger side, but I'mnot sure if its right side up or not. Both sides are identical, seperate parts.


Hope that helps

Mike W

Mike,
Thanks so much for replying, I thought I was on my own with this one..... unfortuantely, it appears that your picture host is down. Anyone else having trouble viewing the photos? I'm sure they are going to clarify things beautifully once I can see them.
TIA,
Eric

D'OH! They reappeared all of a sudden!!! It is the upper gasket that wis faulty; and that is the part that came in the mail, too, but they sent me 2 for some reason?!?! Did you say your upper gasket was reinforced, or just the lowers? I guess I'm set to go; just curious as to why they sent me two. My bill came to ~$30, for one part number that included 2 individually packaged gaskets... odd <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rodent.gif" alt="" />. Thanks for helping out!

My upper gasket was a single thin card board type. It sounds like you have the right part. I'm not sure why they gave you two though. Perhaps you need to use both? I'm not really sure why they gave you two gaskets.

Good Luck

Mike W