Project VXOverLand

[Thelgord]

I think I may have a warped intake manifold. I started the engine today and I have an audible air leak at the same location I have had three times. Three gaskets. Three times taking it apart and putting it back together again. Same location. The latest gasket was the most heavy duty I could find. Rubber coated steel and much thicker than the previous ones.

I could beat the previous owner with his own severed arm. Gahhhhh!

[89Vette]

Yup....An intake leak would cause your issue. Without trying to be Debbie Downer, it COULD also be the corresponding surface that's warped. Did you "glue" the intake gasket on....or install dry? There are some VERY good sealants that might solve the issue. On a SBC, most mechanics DO use sealant on the intake....though it doesn't necessarily call for it.

Back in the 80's, I had a Toyota with a persistent intake problem. I took it apart and redid the intake gasket about 6 times. Got where I could do it in 1/2hr. It would last 3-6 weeks before leaking each time. At the time, the internet didn't exist. I gave up and sold it without knowing all my options. I would suggest you have an advantage...since no coolant/oil is running through VX intakes. Those fluids add to the challenge for maintaining a long-term seal....with liquid/rubber sealant. If you try a sealant, make sure you pick one rated for gasoline. I recommend you Google "intake manifold sealant" to find the most current sealants. If you haven't tried that route yet, do so.

One other thing you could do is take the intake to a machine shop and have them check it for "flatness". In Kansas City, there's a cylinder-head service/shop that has the equipment to "plane" it back straight. If you consider it, look for a similiar "machine shop/cylinder-head service" near you.

[Thelgord]

Installed it dry. I could probably do it again in a couple of hours with some sealant. The real question is do I really want to?

Who am I kidding. Of course I am going to.

Damn it.

[89Vette]

While it's off, take it in to be checked....OR... put something long, metal, & straight on the surface to see if you can shove a feeler gauge underneath. (IOW, perform your own check). Might as well to make sure.

[Thelgord]

I finally broke down and put it in a shop. I should find out later today what the cost is going to be. Having the entire engine gone through to include new timing belt and full service while they are in there. Once that is all done I can work on the transmission shift solenoids.

[Thelgord]

I miss my VX ...

[Thelgord]

Yay! The shop called. Turns out it wasn’t anything major, except to my wallet. $400 for a complete engine checkup just to find out that my EGR valve self destructed without throwing a single code or CEL. I should be able to pick it up later today. I thought about just picking it up and doing the work myself, my this guy has been great and throwing a local mechanic some business, especially on me that is willing to work on a VX, is OK with me.

[89Vette]

$400 for a complete engine checkup? What did they do?

[Thelgord]

Aside from new EGR valve, which was a bit over $120 just for the part, they also did a vacuum pressure test, compression test, full service on the engine, checked the master cylinder pressure, and checked every gasket for leaks. Only other “issue” found was where I unplugged the wire for the power steering pump to stop the high idle (bad sensor), but the pump itself checked out fine. I still have the intermittent ABS light, but I told them not to worry about that yet.

I was also quoted $800 for a new timing belt and water pump, but that will have to wait as well. I dumped too much money too fast into this VX and now I need to pay down some credit cards before I start again.

[89Vette]

Sounds reasonable. At least you have the peace of mind it doesn't need a complete rebuild! Did they explain how the EGR valve cause the symptoms reported earlier? Was the valve itself leaking?

[Thelgord]

Yeah. The valve body separated from the plastic part while leaving the valve closed without throwing a CEL.

[Thelgord]

An update.

I got Izzy (have no idea why that name has stuck, but it did) back from the mechanic. Ran great, for a day. Then a CEL. EGR Flow Insufficient. Did the Seafoam treatment, and so far no more CEL or codes and it seems to be running great. I wonder how long before I will have to do it again? At least it is an easy thing to do, about a half hour total.

Of course, the downside to all of this is money. I have dropped around $7000 total so far into it. 99% of that is just getting it runnng reliably. $7k over 8 months is still less than a grand a month, but is still more than I was putting out for my Tacoma in payments. These costs really need to slow down before it kills me. And yes, I still have loads more work to do.

Gahhh!

[ipd]

It's amazing how much effort it takes to save something that has been badly neglected.

[Thelgord]

No kidding. Good news is that it’s day 3 since the egr cleaning and still no CEL.

[Thelgord]

New goal: Try to make it through the entire month of March without spending any money besides gas/oil as needed while still using it as a daily driver.

Yes, I know I have parts that need to be installed. I would just like to take a breather and not work on it for a while, unless I am forced to in order to keep it running anyway.

So ... lets see how long this works out LOL!