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Blown intake gasket/Engine clean up


Captbeancounter
03-16-2004, 11:54 AM
The intake gasket on my Lumina blew, I went ahead and tore the motor down to check the head gaskets and replace, the motor oil was a milky white, my question is when cleaning the parts such as the heads, can I just clean the heads in my solvent tank as well as the intake manifold, like the rest of the parts, or should they be taken to a head shop and be rebuilt? The car has 127,000 miles, I do not know the history of the car,however, it would start and run. Should I be concerned about the oil pump or anything else? I just purchased it to fix and sell. Also is there a oil flush that can be used to clean the block internally after I put it back togeather? Any help will be appreciated.

Lumina95
03-24-2004, 06:34 PM
The same happened to mine. Intake and headgasket were broken. I kept my oil pump and after investing a lot in it it drives almost like new again. There is an engine flush product that probably works well. If the heads are straight like in my case they can be put on cleaned. If they are slightly warped they need to be milled at a shop.
By the way you should check into the reason why this happened(clogged radiator etc.). If not the same will happen again in the near future.

kevinb70
04-29-2004, 10:52 AM
I've got 128k on my 98 and time to change my intake gaskets - getting a ever so slight leak from the front of the block on each side of the block, slight trace of antifreeze near the power steering pump (and on the opposite side near the transaxle). Also trace of oil in my antifreeze. There is no trace of antifreeze in my oil. This problem has been ongoing for months, I tightened down the intake a tad, but realized one day that antifreeze might start getting in my air mixture or the oil.

I plan on not using radiator flush (often hear radiator flush will kill the water pump), but use water only to flush the cooling jackets and radiator.

Question to anyone who has changed the intake gaskets.... what else am I going to need?
I have the upper/lower intake gaskets with the plenum gasket, have the thermostat rubber seal just in case, the egr gasket (looks like there are two there? are they identical?) Are you able to reuse the egr tube?

What about that coolant tube going along the front facing valve cover? I believe there will be an o-ring in the fitting going to the water pump... reusable or not?

looking for fuel line quick disconnect tool - can I reuse those plastic fittings or do I have to replace them?

Fuel rail and injectors - am I going to run into anything there as far as having to replace o-rings or anything?

Hoping to be able to do this in a weekend without having a work stoppage due to a part/gasket I forgot to pickup in advance. I have a chilton but it's lacking info on supply list needed for the job.

Thanks in advance for any help. I don't want any surprizes popping up on me.

j_p_lockwood
04-29-2004, 12:34 PM
EGR upper and lower gaskets are different, and both need replacing, but I believe you're OK to reuse the tube (Hayne's manual didn't say otherwise). The bypass hose to the water pump - I didn't notice any seal on that. Fuel injectors should have new O rings if you have to take them off to get to the lower intake (and I broke one of those little metal clips when I took mine off). Fuel lines on a 95 at least can be reconnected without any new stuff. Don't forget thread sealant and that RTV sealant. New valve cover rubber gasket may be required (can't remember!).

kevinb70
04-29-2004, 01:15 PM
awesome thanks!

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