# Intake manifold gasket replacement **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sl, gaskets, saturn, leaks\ **Created:** [May 17, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intake-manifold-gasket-replacement/48973 "2010-05-17T14:47:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![msager333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@msager333](https://community.cartalk.com/u/msager333)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 2:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intake-manifold-gasket-replacement/48973/1 "2010-05-17T14:47:13Z")
I need to replace a leaking intake manifold gasket on a 2002 Saturn SL1. Apparently this is a common issue with these engines, possibly even a manufacturing defect. Anyway, has anybody here done this job, and if so, does anybody have any tips or suggestions on doing it? I want to minimize the “surprises” that I encounter when I tackle this job and make sure that I have all of the tools that I need. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intake-manifold-gasket-replacement/48973/2 "2010-05-17T16:52:05Z")
Do you have a basic repair manual such as a Chilton’s or Haynes? These cost about $20 at an auto parts store and will give the basic procedure including any specialty tools and the various torque specs. Even better but for much more $$ you can get the GM repair manual - can probably find it at [http://books4cars.com/](http://books4cars.com/) ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intake-manifold-gasket-replacement/48973/3 "2010-05-17T18:01:20Z")
Replacing an intake manifold usually is not a difficult problem. And this is a known problem. Been a thorn in GM’s side for almost 2 decades. ---
**Author:** ![msager333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@msager333](https://community.cartalk.com/u/msager333)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intake-manifold-gasket-replacement/48973/4 "2010-05-18T13:19:16Z")
I do have a Haynes or Chilton’s manual (can’t remember which), but I was wondering if anybody had done this and had any tips or pointers that are not in the manual. Sometimes things get left out of the books. This is a car that is generally easy to work on and this does not look like a terribly complicated repair, so I’m going to do it myself. Thank you for the information. ---
**Author:** ![msager333](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/58956e/32.png) [@msager333](https://community.cartalk.com/u/msager333)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 1:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intake-manifold-gasket-replacement/48973/5 "2010-05-18T13:37:02Z")
It’s just the manifold gasket that needs to be replaced. I read rumors that the problem was caused by a robotic assembler that was programmed wrong, or that they just used really cheap crappy gaskets. The general opinion is to avoid using the OEM gasket and get a Felpro, etc. to replace it with. Is this a problem with other GM engines also? I think they stopped making the 1.9L Saturn engines in 2002. Overall it’s a good little engine; the only symptoms of the manifold gasket leak are a high idle, misfire in cylinder #1, and a decrease in fuel economy. I confirmed that the gasket is the problem by spraying carb cleaner near cylinder 1 - it was obvious that it was getting sucked right in. ---
**Author:** ![orangevega](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@orangevega](https://community.cartalk.com/u/orangevega)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/intake-manifold-gasket-replacement/48973/6 "2010-05-18T17:06:36Z")
You are correct. Do not use the OEM gasket. Get the Felpro. Be sure to use a torque wrench and follow the tightening pattern in your manual.