The intake manifold gasket is there to protect the intake manifold. What’s the intake manifold? It’s there to make sure that air is distributed evenly to all the cylinders in the vehicle, which is needed during the ignition process. It also has another function, which is to keep the engine cool. It’s through the manifold that coolant is distributed. So essentially, the intake manifold gasket is a key component when it comes to ensuring that a vehicle has enough fluid and air in the engine. The gasket is there to provide a seal, preventing air or fluid from escaping.
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HeatIf an engine overheats, then the metal inside the engine has to expand. If it expands enough, then eventually it will touch the gasket, putting it under serious pressure. If that pressure is enough to crack the gasket, or worse, crush the gasket, then the seal will be compromised and it will begin to leak. |
General Wear and TearWhile there are things you can do to extend the life of an engine, at some point, problems will begin to arise. If proper maintenance hasn’t been enacted over the course of the car’s lifetime, then the gasket will fail much sooner. How long it lasts will depend on the driving style of the owner, but sometimes even the driver can’t do all that much. |
Vacuum ProblemsA vacuum leak issue is less likely to be the cause of a failing intake manifold gasket, but it does happen. The vehicle may still run, but there’ll be problems that make driving difficult, such as reduced power, engine misfires, and reduced MPG (fuel efficiency). Though it’s less likely, it can also cause the car to stall. |