Hi new here from florida

[pontiacsteve22]

Hi i need some help on my bonneville le 1990, leaking coolant on the lower intake manifold. I plan to replace them soon but what brand do you recommend. Also i never did this before YIKES?? Tha nks ahead for any info.

[nos4blood70]

Welcome!

What exactly is leaking?

[swampthing]

What's up? Where in florida are you?

[pontiacsteve22]

Hi i live in saint pete, and just today i cleaned the motor off so i can see whats going on.I had for the last few months puddles under the car on the passenger side, and on the pass side on the intake manifold toward the rear coolant puddles.I pulled the plugs to check them and they are perfect color, was afraid of a head gasket gone bad.I will do a comp check tomorrow, i have been smelling oil burning and when you pop the hood i see some smoke toward the front of the car.Also in the corner by cylinder 5 i see some smoke coming out but its hard to tell i know its oil. After i cleaned it with gunk smoke is all over but i know its just drying.Any info or advice is great, hope i did not bother anyone with this post.I will install some new valve cover gaskets tomorrow, thanks in advance.

[StreetƐgl-o21]

Welcome to the Club I nice to see some people from the east coast I live in Florida half the year. Tampa/Clearwater area so im not that far from you. And don't ever feel like you're bothering people here we're all friendly and enjoy chatting about cars and various other topics long as they're in the right area of the Forum =) you'll find everything you need here! and welcome once again.

[Jrs3800]

Welcome to the forum... And the Florida madness, On the other coast here.. Not too far from the Space Center or almost dead space center...

Sounds like the intake gaskets are history as well as the valve cover gaskets...

[pontiacsteve22]

Thanks to the 4 of you for input and the welcome, i am kinda wondering if i can do the intake myslef??

[Jrs3800]

If you have ratchet wrenches, swivels, among a few other tools then you should be able to... The wost part may be a Tube that goes into the lower intake, this will require a new O ring and may be part of the lower intake manifold gasket kit..

How mechanically inclined are you?

[StreetƐgl-o21]

I have to change my intake gaskets as well.
But, You can if you have the tools an a little know how but just to be safe Diagram/mark everything if you don't have the repair manual for your car.

[pontiacsteve22]

Well i have worked on my dirt bikes since 78 so i guess its not gonna be that bad.The tools wont be a problem, but i am curious i found were the leak is but cant pin point it yet.It comes from behind the lower radiator hose but behind and above,its hard to see.I will wait till next week to pull the alternator off and to have a better view,Its funny when you clean a engine up how much better you see things.Does white smoke from the tail pipe after start up mean anything bad??? I hope not and thanks guys for the help.I never liked these front wheel drive cars but they are starting to grow on me, hahaha. by the way the leak is coolant and after a fewminutes of warm up it starts to leak.

[swampthing]

White smoke is probably a sign of coolant burning in the cylinder... get those old gaskets out of there!

[pontiacsteve22]

Thanks swampthing for that info, will start work on it soon.

[pontiacsteve22]

Hi i need some advice i removed my intake manifod today and am wondering how to torque these down and where to use sealant.I know the 2 step process and the final torque but i dont have a wrench that goes that low 88 inch pounds.And how do you get in the tight places with the wrench.I hope someone can shed some light on this, THANKS for any help folks.

[Jrs3800]

Use some acetone or brake cleaner on the metal surfaces to make sure they are 100% oil free...

Then add dabs of sealant at the corners like this..



Once you have done that, Most people do not add sealant to the end seals... I do... and I do this to ensure a dry motor for a very long time to come... I run a thin film of sealant to the bottom of both the end seals...


Then I set the end seals in place




Apply Dabs at the 4 corners again



Then set the intake gaskets into place, and run a film of sealant on top of the end seals, make sure you dab the corners again..


Use some medium Thread Loc on the threads, and install the bolts tightening in a crisscross sequence... I think the rated number is like 7-8 ft lbs... At most do 10 ft Lbs or 120 in Lbs..


Hope that will help you..

[Jrs3800]

Just to note it, Next time you have any questions or car trouble post in the 87-91 section so that more people can see what you are doing/needing help with..

Let us know how it all goes...