Hey all-
Got to work this am with steam from under the hood. Have a coolant leak - coolant is pooling on top where the lower intake plenum meets the head.

First - causes - what could it be - please say intake gasket leak, not head leak. By the way, engine oil is normal - no sign of water there.

Second - any estimates on time for repair? I have to travel next weekend, so it would probably be an after-work evening job this week.

My specific questions for the repair are does the entire intake have to come apart or can it come off the heads as a unit ? Any special tools I need? And parts - just a lower intake gasket set? I'm assuming the lower intake has water ways in it......

Really appreciate any help or advice on this problem. I'm a relatively competant mechanic with descent tooling at home, but nothing special tool wise here. I feel like I can doo the job, but would like to know what I'd be getting into. Thanks all,
Kevin

 

Ok - I got time to do a search - sounds likt TPIs are intake gasket leakers. My appologies for not searching first.

I need advice on dealing with the distributor removal/installation so I don't mess up the timing - haven't done that on this car yet.

Also, still would like an estimate on time for repair - can I do this in an evening, even if it is a late one?

Oh, also - should I use gasket sealer in addition to just the gaskets??
I want to go to the NAPA store tonight and get everything I'll need all at once so I can just get the job done tomorrow night. Any other gaskets, seals, etc I should get at the same time???

Really appreciate any help all,
Kevin