Ok,

I think I may already know the answers but…

I had a problem with the car not idling (stock E4ME qjet/305 T5 L69 etc…).

The car started with choke, but as soon as I tapped off the fast idle cam, the car would stumble and die.

Having tried everything else, I assumed the intake manifolds were leaking. Really should have tested them first but, well…

So I changed them. I used Victor Reinz, and a little bit of RTV around the coolant channels, and a little bit on the corners of the end seals.

Now, with the car back together it won't start at all. I've checked and double-checked the timing. Guessing I might have flooded it, I floored the throttle and tried to start it. It sputtered and roared into life, then died as soon as I lifted off.

My gut tells me I've created an even bigger vacuum leak. Is something else going on, or am I going to have to bite the bullet and re-do the intake gaskets?

The mating faces on the block weren't great - possibly slightly pitted and couldn't get them 'machined' smooth. The previous owner had caked the gaskets in RTV (it took a couple of hours to sort out the mess…) but did he have the right idea? Should I reinstall the gaskets (new ones?) with RTV around all the ports? Is there a type of gasket I'm better off using if I'm going to supplement it with RTV? Or should I even just use RTV on it's own and dispense with the gasket altogether…?

Any answers and advice at all would be welcome!

Thanks,

Neil

 

Ok,

I think I've resigned myself to pulling the manifold again. Can anyone give me some tips of reinstalling the gaskets so they won't leak?

My current thinking is I'll coat the block-side of the gaskets with a smear of RTV and have another go.

I've read suggestions elsewhere about filing down the mating surface using fine sandpaper, but I'm a bit nervous about it being difficult to stop metal filings ending up in the cylinders!

N