Intake manifold gasket replacement

Metallo · Post by **Metallo** » 07 Mar 2013, 15:12

My Lady, seems to have a problem recently, when the engine is idle she is shaking

I went to the Volvo dealer, they heard a 'whistle' and told me it is due to the Intake manifold gasket.
OK, the part # is 1378879, the OEM is 42 C$

but I see the aftermarket ones cost between 4 and 6 US$ (they cannot be more expensive after all it is just a felt right?).
However, I found different brands online, FEL-PRO, SKANDIX, Elring, Reinz and more, which one is best by your experience?

Also, I could not find detailed instruction on how to replace the gasked in my VIDA, do you have anything that might help?
Any additional information is very welcome!

Thank you guys

Alex

BTW, I am referring to my 940 just to be clear

Post by **billofdurham** » 08 Mar 2013, 12:49

It certainly seems to be an intake leak. Did the dealer do any test other than listening? There are two easy ways to confirm a leak:

1) My usual - start the engine and spray water over the intake manifold. If there is a leak the engine will slow and possibly stop when the water gets inside the manifold.

2) Start the engine and spray Easy Start onto intake manifold. The engine will increase revs as the liquid is drawn in.

The attached is all I can find on replacing the gasket. As for which gasket - I am in the UK and haven't heard of any of the after-market units you list. However, being a firm believer in not spending too much unnecessarily I would go for one of the after-market versions, possibly the top of the range at 6 US$. It will probably last as long as the Volvo part and may even come from the same factory.

940 intake manifold gasket.pdf: (216.55 KiB) Downloaded 1227 times

Bill.

Metallo · Post by **Metallo** » 11 Mar 2013, 18:55

Thank you guys for your suggestions.
I ordered the gasket and will arrive during this week, so, weather permitting, next weekend I will proceed with the job.
The only thing I noticed is that it is tiring to lean towards the middle of the engine all the time, I will try to put something under my feet and see if that will be beneficial.

I'll keep you posted on the outcome

Metallo · Post by **Metallo** » 17 Mar 2013, 13:55

Hi,

Yesterday, I successfully replaced the manifold gasket.

It took me many hours to do this, but only because it was my first time and I was extremely careful to every step I was taking.
Most of the time went into cleaning the surface where the gasket goes and it is not that comfortable to work in that position and you have to pay attention that no debris go in the cylinders.
I also took the opportunity to clean the injectors.
One of the holes of the old gasket was oval-shaped and that was the cause of the problem, I cannot complain as that was the original gasket, fist time changed after 16 years!

Everything is now working fine although I noticed that when the engine is idle has some speed variation, (750-800 rpm) but I believe this is due a dirty throttle body, I did not have a new gasket therefore I could not clean it but I am planning the work as soon as I get a new gasket to replace.

Overall, it was a good experience, should I do it again, it would take a shorter time, but as I said, removal and refitting is pretty quick, cleaning is time consuming.

Thanks for your good advice

Alex

swimNdrive · Post by **swimNdrive** » 24 Mar 2013, 12:15

Great job! When you put in the new gasket, do you need to apply anything on the gasket first? I need to replace mine, but could not find any info on that at this time. Thanks

Post by **billofdurham** » 24 Mar 2013, 12:26

You do not need anything on the intake manifold gasket. Tighten to 15 ft/lbs (20 nm).

Bill.

swimNdrive · Post by **swimNdrive** » 24 Mar 2013, 12:48

I got mine from FCPEuro for the PCV job. I heard people said they were using some kind of spray or silicon compound on the gasket before putting it on so it would be sealed better. May be that's for the old times, does the new one come with something on it already?

Post by **billofdurham** » 24 Mar 2013, 13:06

I am working from a Volvo manual which states the gasket goes on as it is. The original gasket should not have had anything on it from the factory so the metal faces should be clean enough to take the new one without having to scrape them. If the gasket has been replaced earlier and a sealer has been used you will need to scrape the mating faces clean.

Bill.