Last Updated on May 15, 2019 by themechanic
The internal combustion engine contains several different kinds of gaskets. Each gasket serves as a seal for various engine components. These gaskets can be made of rubber, metal, and/or paper. However, out of all the gaskets in the engine, the most important one is the intake manifold gasket. The is the gasket which acts as a seal between the intake manifold and the head of the cylinder. Before the fuel and air mixture enters an engine cylinder, the intake manifold is responsible for distributing the air and fuel evenly. This balanced mixture is sent from the intake manifold to the cylinder. As a result, successful combustion can occur in the engine.
The intake manifold gasket has an important job to do because it prevents the air and fuel mixture from leaking at any time. It prevents it from leaking when the mixture is transferred to the cylinder and when it is in the cylinder. Obviously, if you have a bad intake manifold gasket, then it is going to cause a massive leak which will ultimately disturb the internal combustion process of the engine. This will result in an onslaught of symptoms which will make driving rather difficult.
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5 Bad Symptoms
An intake manifold gasket leak must be taken seriously. The symptoms will be more than obvious when this leak is occurring. If you were to ignore this leak for too long, it will ultimately cause you bigger problems in the near future, especially with the engine. Therefore, replace your leaky intake manifold gasket to prevent this situation from happening to you.
Below are the top 5 symptoms of an intake manifold gasket leak in your car.
1) Stalled Engine
A bad intake manifold gasket may stop your engine from turning if there is a vacuum leak that resulted from this. Then you will experience engine stalling situations as you drive your vehicle. Since the engine is not receiving the proper balance of air and fuel, it will stall frequently until the intake manifold gasket is replaced.
2) Weak Acceleration
When you experience engine stalling, you will likely experience weak acceleration too. As you apply pressure to the gas pedal, your vehicle will not accelerate as fast as it should. However, the acceleration may suddenly kick in at any moment if you keep pressing the pedal. This is dangerous all around and should not be tolerated. Replace the gasket to stop this from happening.
3) Bad Gas Mileage
A bad intake manifold gasket results in an imbalance of air and fuel in the engine. Sometimes it causes more fuel to enter the engine than what is needed. As a result, your fuel economy will go bad which means your gas expenses will increase.
4) Coolant Leak
The intake manifold gasket keeps the coolant sealed inside the engine too. A worn out or damaged intake manifold gasket may cause this coolant to leak out of the engine. If there is even a small crack in the gasket, coolant fluid can seep through quite easily. You will notice a coolant smell inside your car if this has happened. Check under your vehicle too for coolant puddles on the ground.
5) Overheated Engine
In continuation of the last symptom on this list, a coolant leak will eventually cause an overheated engine. After all, coolant is a fluid which helps keep your engine cooled down. If it doesn’t have enough coolant because of a leak, then the engine will heat up. Once you have an overheated engine, you run the risk of having a damaged engine that will cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace. You’ll know when your engine is overheated because the tachometer will indicate the engine temperature is high. You’ll also have a Check Engine warning light turn on.
