Recently I started leaking oil and you can smell it burning off the exaust when I'm at idle. I have already replaced the sending unit and the oil appears to be coming from above that area but I can't see the valve cover gasket easily from the top or bottom. Do I have to remove the intake manifold to change the gasket? Does anyone know where I can get a write up on this?

Thanks for your help guys.
d2ndkemper

 

Yes you have to pull the upper IM and all the stuff connected to it.

There is no write-up (to my knowledge). Many of us have done it - so ask away.

But get yourself a Haynes - you need it for this job. It's not perfect, but it's better than nothing.

Your problem sounds like a bad rear valve cover gasket (as you have diagnosed).

While you have the rear valve cover off, you might want to consider replacing the valve cover spark plug tube seals.

Also replace all the gaskets you end up undoing, i.e. IM, IACV, TB, EGR tube.

Clean out the EGR port and EGR guide tube while you have things apart.

 

Haynes manual is not much help. It basically says to remove all the stuff bolted to the Plenum (upper intake) and then remove the Plenum. Loads of help there.

Basically just start unbolting everything on the Plenum. There will be some things on the rear of the engine (firewall side) that you will not be able to really see. There are 2 support bolts for the Plenum, the EGR valve bolts, and a hose with a clamp (more EGR stuff). I think those are the only hidden "gotchas." Also make sure to either label or pay close attention to the vaccum lines and were they go.

 

Another note. You can expect to spend about 2 or 3 hours on this job since its your first time doing it.

 

Maybe I'm just a but it took me almost 4 hours - most of the time was spent fighting the coolant lines to the plenum

 

Doh. I think it only took me 3 the first time. I spent lots of time fighting the stoopid vaccum lines that had become bonded to the throttle body.

 

Vaccum lines were no problem, dang haynes didn't make it a very big point about the little hidden gotcha's behind the plenium! Its really not that hard tho you just have to take off alot of stuff that you don't really think you need to.