i attempted to change both the front and the rear valve cover gaskets today!! the front was a breeze, but the back is a PITA due to the stupid intake manifold...it took forever to get it off. started at 3 and had to wrap it up around 9 since the auto place closed at 930....since they were rushin me i know i messed up somewhere because my car is running like crap now. Before my car would have a smooth idle, now the idle is very rough to the point where the car will cut off. when driving, shifting up was good at first but when it cut off for the second time..the engine vibrates horribly now shifting up and when shifting down it danm near cuts off everytime!!! Didn't know the brakes didn't work when the car cuts off while driving...lol...luckily i wasn't going that fast!! Anyhow, I'm gonna re-check all vacuum connections tomorrow and i hope that i just missed a hose somewhere....can anyone think of what the problem might be....i heard if you dont align the manifold correctly the car will run like ish too....i hope thats not it cause its a pain in the azz to remove again, although i know what to remove now. Help here would be great guys!!!

Anyone thinking of doing the job, be ready to put in some hours...it would have taken me a good 7 hours to do it correctly i think but i had to cut it in 6....now that i know what all has to be removed and where certain things are, i could probably do it in 5!!

 

Sounds Like A Manifold Air Leak, That Sucks. Hope You Get It Fixed. Was Yours A Vg Or Ve? Good Luck On Turkey Day

 

its a VE...its cold outside..lol..if its a manifold leak i dunno what i'ma do!!

 

I'm bettiing you have a vacuum hose that's loose somewhere. sometimes the EGR valve solenoid decides to stick open as well. try unplugging the EGR valve's vacuum hose and see what that does. If that's not it, then look for a loose vacuum hose somewhere else. there's really not much involved in the intake manifold, assuming you got the gasket lined up properly. I doubt that's your problem.

 

i did have a hose that was loose and i connected it...the car ran a lil better than what it was, but it still wants to cut off....on top of that, it seems like its leaking more oil than ever now so i don't think it was the gaskets!! unless the rear one just isn't sealed properly...when i took off the valve covers in the beginning, the gaskets had no tear and seemed to be ok...i'm almost stumped!! guess i'll have to deal with sendin my car to a mechanic...i hate that.

 

seems every car i see has loose valve cover 's i like to tighten em down a little all you out there should check+tighten yours its easy...also if a air vacum hose goes to the valve cover (p.c.v etc.)and the covers are loose is that a slight air leak? ....keep it tight! yo.

 

quick question guys...some of my vacuum hoses are very brittle an some have cracked pretty bad....is there a place or website anyone knows where to get replacements from??

 

any parts store sells it by the foot. take a small piece of it in with you and have them match up the diameter.. buy about 15 feet of the smaller stuff.
then just get some scissors or wire cutters and some small pliers and go to town. replace them one at a time.. pull it off (grab the end with the pliers and give it a twist, then just pull it off).. cut a new piece the same length, then stick it back on the engine. move on to the next piece. should take you 20-30 minutes.

 

thanks matt