I have now replaced my inlet manifold gasket twice using sealant around both the water ports, tried tightening to the spec tightness, then even tightening even tighter! I still have cooant leaking into the manifold when the vacum is high, EG on decelleration as you roll into the lights the engine is missing on two cylinders, a few seconds later she smooths back out. Acceleration is fine as this is a low vacum situation, also once the cooling system has dropped in pressue (Ie under no pressure as it has expelled some coolant into the manifold) the car drives fine again.

I have also had the same issue on the carby to manifold gasket too same problem. When you remove the gaskets you can see where the coolant has soaked accross to the main channel.

Has anyone got any surefire ways of sealing thease things up properly, maybe not using a gasket at all and just using gasket silicon instead?

I have also seen many other cars at the wreakers that have also obviously leaked at this same spot.
Thanks in advance! :bowrofl:

all the pic links u give in ure posts dont work.

Did that once here too, just right click the red X and select "SHOW PICTURE"

Sounds like either your head or manifold is not true. Normally you would have to take off the head, remove the studs and have the head and manifold faced. Your local engine rebuilder can quote you but even if you take the head off it'll still probably cost a coupla hundred.

You could try using 2 gaskets with a little sealant between them and some on the problem area. This sometimes takes up the gap caused by the warp but even that might not cure it.
Hope that helps :thumbsup:

It doesnt seem to be in a local spot, both ports have leaked, mostly evenly around the edges!

has the head corroded so that the face is thin in some sections, not giving it enough surface to seal.


ol' fart is on the money tho, ide be going for the cheaper option of 2x gaskets and plenty of good quality blue silastic

Gasket goo :D

Gasket goo :D

Well i have tried gasket goo and a gasket, are you suggesting just the goo?

No put some goo on the surface and then apply the gasket but if you have already tried that and it still leaks, Clean the surface up, then get one of those metal rulers and put it on its side and see if there are any gaps.

Use RTV to seal it is gasket goo isnt cutting it. Else use RTV and 2 gaskets.

On the exhaust use exhaust putty (with the gasket)

Use RTV to seal it is gasket goo isnt cutting it. Else use RTV and 2 gaskets.

On the exhaust use exhaust putty (with the gasket)


Hmmm, so Head - RTV - Gasket - RTV - Gasket - RTV - manifold?

The old gaskets that are comming out are compressed down flat in all the correct spots, so I don't think anything is warped, just that the coolant soaks into the gasket with capillary action. This has happend on both the inlet manifold gaskets and carby gaskets, including a genuine Mitsu steel gasket! Here is the paper one where you can see the soaked bit!

Oh, and what is RTV, and where do you get it, is it any better than standard gasket goo?

If you think that it's matting alright just use 1 gasket and RTV either side.

RTV is silicone based (just comes in a packet called RTV Gasket Sealant/Maker). It is great stuff, I think it is better than gasket goo.

i think it looks like your head has corroded away so that the gasket only have a mm or so of surface for the gasket to seal. its going to need welding and a skim on that flange if the 2x gasket trick doesnt fix it

does the intake manifold really need hot water flowing all around it anyway???

Can u just block off the inlets/outlets all together, or have a manually (or some heater solenoid??)operated valve ???

Unfortunatly no, for one the thermastat is mounted on it!

i think it looks like your head has corroded away so that the gasket only have a mm or so of surface for the gasket to seal. its going to need welding and a skim on that flange if the 2x gasket trick doesnt fix it

Looking at those photies I'd hafta agree with TC, those gaskets definately werent crushed enough. You've got corrosion problems there. Try the 2 gasket and blue silastic trick, if that dont work your gunna be up fer a few bucks in weldin and refaceing.

smart guy this Ol' Fart lad

Sooo, Where do I put the sealant, between all surfaces ( Head-blue-gasket-blue-gasket-blue-manafold) or just on the metal surfaces, me thinks this would encourage the coolant to soak in between the two gaskets?

( Head-blue-gasket-blue-gasket-blue-manifold)

Just coat em dont go too berzerk

Like, weeeeeeeeeeee! :P

and the like omg WEEEEEEEEEE! :bowrofl: