So I have a P0172 code, shop diagnosed it was a leaky manifold gasket. Took everything apart, by this I mean removing the manifold bolts and then removing the inner manifold from the outer one by removing the rubber tubes. Cleaned up the manifold, installed the new gasket, bolted on the inner manifold, installed the rubber tubes on the outer manifold, and now here is the problem...

When I push the outer manifold back toward the engine, the rubber tubes don't line up- meaning they are too high by about 3/8 to 1/2 in. I can't push the outer manifold down far enough to get them lined up.... what the heck is going on???

I did not ever loosen the alleged nut at the bottom of the outer manifold...never found it and read you can do this without loosening it. Although unless you are Mr. stickman, I can't see how you can get an arm down there anyway..

Any help is appreciated...

 

If you put rubber sleeves and clamps where they were before, you need to loosen the bottom nut. It is in a slot, so the whole thing can move.

You can get to it from the bottom, with extensions. Take the pre-heat hose off to help with access.

 

Hi-

Thanks for the reply. Actually, believe it or not, all I did was remove the rubber tubes from the outer intake and mount them first on the inner intake. Surprisingly, i had no issues once I did that. Not sure if I changed the angles a bit by doing it that way or what- but it worked. Engine light has not returned. One word of advice- And I read this somewhere else as well- you should check your intake manifold bolts to make sure they are tight. there were 2 or 3 of mine right around cylinders 1 and 2 that were less than finger tight. I am sure this contributes to the leak and the gasket eventually failing. Oh, and this do it yourself job saved me about $600....

Thanks-
Brady