What is the intake manifold gasket?
Almost all modern car engines generate power through the combustion of an air/fuel mixture. The primary function of the intake manifold (or inlet manifold) is to evenly distribute the combustion mixture (or just air in a direct injection engine) to each engine cylinder. The intake manifold also distributes coolant into the engine, preventing it from overheating.
The intake manifold gasket is a component usually made from rubber or plastic. It keeps the entire manifold attached to the engine, preventing leaks from occurring. In the event of the intake manifold gasket failing, your engine will struggle to work correctly. This is due to air, fuel or coolant leaking through the gaps between the gasket and engine cylinders.
Learn more about how the intake manifold works >
What causes the intake manifold gasket to fail?
Intake manifold gaskets can fail for several reasons, including:
- Wear and tear: The constant expansion and contraction of the engine due to temperature changes can cause the gasket to wear out over time. Intake manifold gasket materials such as rubber, silicone, or plastic can deteriorate over time and cause the gasket to fail.
- Overheating: Overheating can cause the gasket to warp or crack, which can result in a failure.
- Incorrect installation: Incorrect installation of the gasket, such as improper torque or alignment, can cause the gasket to fail.
- Chemical damage: The gasket can be damaged by chemical reactions with the fluids in the engine, such as oil or coolant leaks.
- Vibrations: Engine vibrations can accelerate wear, causing the gasket to become loose or shift out of place, leading to a failure.
Symptoms of a damaged intake manifold gasket:
- Overheating engine – If the intake manifold gasket breaks, the coolant may leak from your vehicle. This will eventually result in the engine not being able to cool itself. Engine damage may occur if this happens for a prolonged amount of time.
What to do when your car is overheating > - Engine light on – A faulty intake manifold gasket may cause an incorrect air/fuel mixture. This will usually trigger your car’s engine light.
- Loss of engine power – If not enough fuel is entering your engine, it will not be able to produce the same amount of power. This will usually translate to slower acceleration, difficulty shifting gears, and stalling.
- Increased fuel consumption – A faulty intake manifold gasket will greatly affect your car’s fuel consumption. This can be caused by fuel leaking from your car or an incorrect air/fuel ratio.
- Fluid underneath the car – When the gasket fails, fuel or coolant may leak from underneath your engine. Coolant can easily be identified by its bright green or yellow colour.
Coolant leak fixes in Hamilton >
New Intake Manifold Gasket Installation / Replacement in Hamilton
Is your car in need of a new intake manifold gasket? If so, we can help!
At Grimmer Motors, our experienced mechanics can remove your broken/leaking intake manifold gasket. We can then replace it with a brand new one. This will prevent leaks, overheating and incorrect air/fuel ratios from occurring.
We recommend you act quickly, as a failed intake manifold gasket can quickly lead to an overheating engine. This damages critical components and results in much more extensive repairs being needed.
For reliable intake manifold gasket replacement in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!