'00 Intake Manifold; Replace?

[AB TX '00]

I've got a '00 EB 2wd 220k miles with a coolant leak that appears to be coming from the gasket at the front (psgr side) of the intake manifold. I'm told the gasket needs replacing. A couple questions, I could use your recommendations:
1) Is this something I can do?? I'm a novice, but have changed about every sensor & valve above the block by now. Realize this is a different animal. I do have some time this weekend!
2) Do I replace the manifold itself?? I've read they can pit & crack, but a local mechanic said he's never seen one that required replacement. Are damaged manifolds common on Expy's of this era & miles?
3) is it necessary to replace the upper & lower gaskets?? Leak seems to be coming from upper, but while we're in there...

Any suggestions would be welcome. Thanks!

 

[jmcboots]

I just did this job a few weeks ago. My poor ole expy has a ton of other problems to work through, but the water leak is cured!

If you go slow and take your time and go careful the job is not that complex.

I would replace the entire manifold. It is made of plastic. The leak I had was between the manifold and the heater hose outlet. Because the manifold is plastic it will tend to warp and especially so in my case the way the steam was spraying out. It cost me about $250-$300 for the manifold I think. I will need to look that up.

A set of service manuals helps and I took a million pictures as I was doing it to document my work (So I could remember how to put it back together!)

I am more than happy to post pictures or advice if you need help.

john

 

[Extortion]

i also need to replace my intake gasket 174,000 miles..
i have a vacuum leak coming from the passenger side

 

[extrabitching]

I have a coolant leak at the front of my intake manifold at 185,000. Going right into the front fuel injector.

Any advice on whal else i'll need to or want to change while doing this, like a throttle body gasket, or any other gaskets?

 

[tarafied1]

my 2000 Expedition had the same issue. I could see the leak around the crossover on the intake. I thought it would be a simple fix, new gasket or something. WRONG!
The crossover is bolted on from underneath and you can't get to the bolts. So the whole top of the motor had to come apart. Then when I pulled the crossover off, I found that the plastic intake was broken where the crossover attached. Fortunately Auto Zone had one but it was $250! Ouch. I changed a bunch of stuff while I had it all apart anyway. The antifreeze looked like rust. I flushed it out as best I could. I think I will drain it again later and see if it looks any better. The throttle body was nasty too, I cleaned that up and replaced the EGR. After a full day I did get it all back together.
If you want to spend the money, this would be the time to replace all the coils, plugs and injectors. I had some injectors so I changed mine. I also had a few new coils. I put those in the hard to reach spots and left the older ones for the easier spots near the front.

 

[BakerEdition]

Man Im glad your in Kentucky....Now I know where to go if mine needs to be done...Just the thought of lifting the hood scares me....aint nothing easy under there...

 

[tarafied1]

where you at in Tennessee? I'm just North of Nashville.
I know what you mean too, I really dreaded doing this and it took me better part of a day.

 

[BakerEdition]

Im in Lebanon...about 28 miles from Nashville

 

[tarafied1]

cool, that's close!

 

[BakerEdition]

Maybe we could get together for lunch or somthin...I think Tennessee would be a good central place to have have a Expo meet....