I keep arguing with my mechanic over the Intake Manifold Gasket. He is an ex-volvo mechanic and says my intake maifold gasket is fine. I used a piece of rubber hose a few weeks ago and stuck one end in my ear and the other I started "listening" for anything out of the ordinary. Around intakes 2-3 (engine side and underneath the intake) there is a terrible air leak.

He sprayed around the top of the maifold with some brake cleaner to see if the idle changed. Nothing happened. He siad it was fine.

I was washing the car yestersday at a local $1.00 wash and I always wash the engine compartment. I concentrated the spray where I had heard the air leak and the engine started bucking from side to side. It calmed down when I removed the water and started when I once again applied the water.

My question is this, am I correct? I was planning on replacing the intake manifold gasket, cleaning the throttle boday and replacing all needed gaskets along the way. Is this a terribly difficult job? Or just take it slow ad easy and make sure I don't be droppin' no nuts & bolts into the intake :-(

I am a fairly decent mechanic. I ALWAYS help my mechanic when I take it to him (had to cut the front brake lines off, replaced the timing belt & motor mounts, replaced the center support bearing, etc..-the big stuff)

The small stuff I do myself and it does not bother me to mess up and have to figure the solution although I do get frustrated (getting the a/c compressor back on for the first time (replaced ALL of the rubber accessory mounts)

Sorry to be SO long winded, just wanted a little friendly advice.
BTW, I am replacing the front seats in my wagon today. If there are parts that are decent and anyone wants them....Just say the word.

Todd :-)
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