OK 1998 Amigo 3.2 4x4 5speed 30k ( yes 30K )

The Has what souds like a sucking vaccum leak the nose isnt high pitched its more like a wooshing noise. I checked for a leak by spraying break parts cleaner around all the vaccum lines i could find and matting surfaces. I didnt find the source of the noise but i am sure all the lines are tight. However i found something disturbing. While checking i sprayed alittle Cleaner down behind the first cylinder on the driver bank between the vavle cover and the runners for the intake near the fuel injectors. In this location the Intake manifold meets the block and when i sprayed the cleaner there the Motor would bog down at idle. Regardless of the wooshing noise if the gasket for the intake manifold is in good shape this should not happen. There fore im thinking i have a leak between the block and manifold in that area. DO any of you guys know of a problem with the intake manifolds and blocks or the gasket ? I know this truck has low mileage and doesnt move alot so im sure that has to deal with it. Any suggestions ?

- jason <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Intake manifolds on V-6s, '98 and up are notorious for going out. I say '98 and up...not sure how far up, but as reported at this and one other forum, the problem started in '98.

Use the search facility to dig for info on the problem. Been discussed here many times.

It will get worse and your idle quality will start to go downhill. It will want to die at stoplights and hesitate on takeoff. You will probably start throwing lean bank one or lean bank two codes.

It is almost garrenteed to be your intake manifold gaskets. They run about 18 bucks a pop from St Charles Isuzu 1-800-727-8066. This is definately a known problem, as Isuzu has come up with a new part number, that is supposedly less prone to cracking.

It's a pretty easy DIY job.

Joe

Hey Man,

I'm all about doing it myself. But im in a odd situation. The Garage i have acces to is a single car garage at a condo complex with a half completed samurai project in it. When you say its easy give me a estimate of time and what is required. I dont have a book on the truck since the owner has the warranty on it.

Thanks
- jason

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I could do the job in about an hour now that I've done it once. You won't need a book.

There are 8 bolts to remove. 4 on the outer corners and four on top of the manifold (toward the center of the engine). The two at the rear of the engine are a little bit tought to get to, but they are reachable. All either 12 or 14 mm I don't remember which right off. You'll need a 22mm or 7/8" open end wrench to get the EGR tube loose from the bottom of the manifold. I didn't take anything else loose.

Once all of this is loose I just pryed my manifold up with a pry bar and used me free hand to get the gasket out. Did the same to re-install. It's really not bad at all. It would really help if you did have a helper to hold the manifold up and you can have both hands free to work the gasket into place.

Some have used bunjee cords to hold the manifold up out of the way, but I didn't need to.

Joe

so Joe,

What you are saying is that the Manifold is completely dry there is no need to drain coolant etc ?? its just un bolt swap gaskets and rebolt ?

- jason

Definitely sounds like intake manifold gaskets to me. Very common on the 3.2/3.5L.

You will be happy to hear the new gaskets are reinforced to hopefully prevent a reoccurence of this problem...

That's exactly what I'm saying. It's really not that bad of a job. Once you have done it once, you'll be even quicker at it.

Unless someone brings you a 3.5 with a supercharger that needs them changed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />

Just went thru this same problem. Check out my post. I went to the dealer to get the job done. Cost me around $360 with all gaskets changed. Also is your check engine light on too?

intake problem post

Scott

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the help. I'll look it over and decide what to do. And thanks for puting up with my horiffic spelling, i noticed my first post was pretty bad.

- jason
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