Removing driver’s side intake runner on 85 911

[Nick Triesch]

A few years ago I removed the intake runner on the passenger side of my 3.2 and replaced the gaskets. Now I must change out the gaskets in the driver’s side intake . How difficult is it to remove the runner? What steps do I take and can I leave some of the components hooked up? I did a search but the answers were all over the place. Thank you.

[yelcab1]

I have only done this with the engine out of the car. If I were to do this with the engine in, I would drop the engine a few inches, remove the heater motor, air pipes, idle valve, throttle body, and cross connect pipe and possibly the accelerator connections.

Then go after the intake manifold with the additional access. I think it can be done in situ.

[Flat6pac]

Some concentration and a few challenges. Return springs, throttle from the console, flywheel and HTS wires, cross fuel lines. Nuts and washers are easily accessible.
Doable but way more complicated than the right side.
As long as you don’t have a gasket leaking, isn’t there something you would rather do?
Good luck

[Nick Triesch]

I probably have a huge leak of the number one cylinder lower intake gasket. It probably got sucked in and left a large hole because I have a completely dead number one cylinder. John Walker says that it is common on the 3.2 to do so . I have spark, injector pluses, new injector. And now number cylinder. one has been going out gradually . I really do not want to take it apart but have run out of options. I just want to make sure I can get it back together again. Did the passenger side... easy!

[john walker's workshop]

If you can find a long bore scope, after removing the throttle housing, you could try snaking it down #1. Should be visible if it's sucked in, like the picture. Never tried it, but could work. It's also possible you could cheat a bit and just lift the manifold enough to deal with the gasket without disconnecting much. Again, never tried it. They call it flat rate at the dealers. Just be sure to account for every nut and washer so nothing goes down a hole.

[proporsche]

Nick.maybe i have missed it reading?Did you try spraying carb cleaner on top of the number one intake manifold?If there is a bad gasket it will tell you right away.......engine running of course...
Ivan

[Nick Triesch]

Ivan, I have sprayed before and tightened down the nuts. But that was a while back . There are two gaskets for each cylinder, one on the top and one down below the tin separated by spacers. If the bottom gasket is sucked in I think it would be difficult for the starter fluid to pick up anything if the top gasket is secured. I will try the spray thing again today and a few other things before I start to take it apart.

[davidpsalt]

I will be watching this thread as I beleive my 85 has a small leak as well ... mine whistles when accelerating and coming off the accelerator. Not too bad but annoying knowing that it is not sealed and optimized.

[proporsche]

Hi Nick ,i pretty sure if the -even bottom gasket is kaput ,the cylinder will pick up the carb cleaner.....if it can pick up fals air it will definitely pick up the cleaner...

[Nick Triesch]

Ok ,, I’ll check it again in a bit. Thanks.

[Nick Triesch]

I’ll let you know what I find .

[Flat Six]

Nick, I just replaced intake gaskets on all 6. Pulled both manifolds without dropping the engine (even partial). Takes a bit of patience and the right combination of swivels on the socket extensions, but doable. Took care of the triangle of death and accelerator bushings at the same time; easy peasy.

Biggest challenge I had was trying to remove some wayward bits of gasket that had stuck to the intake ports on the head -- that was a pita.

As you've probably already done on the passenger side, either replace or flatten your intake spacers.

HTH, good luck.

[Nick Triesch]

OK, I just sprayed all around the intakes at the gaskets and no change at all. I may wait a bit to take the intake off and keep looking. I just changed out number one spark wire even though it is new. Still no number one.

Nick,

I did all the top side components last year on my car. Removed the manifolds without dropping the engine. I don't really recall it being a problem, but make sure you are meticulous about not dropping things into the open intake ports. If you are leaving things apart for any more than a few minutes, make sure you block off the ports. Also, make sure you get the gasket surfaces perfectly clean so the gaskets seal properly. And be prepared for 34-yo plastic parts to be pretty fragile.

Also--best to take hundreds of pictures. You just can't have too many.

[john walker's workshop]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

OK, I just sprayed all around the intakes at the gaskets and no change at all. I may wait a bit to take the intake off and keep looking. I just changed out number one spark wire even though it is new. Still no number one.

I did mention that doesn't work on carreras with a sucked in lower gasket. Try again with the belt off to eliminate fan air blowing away whatever you spray. You can also remove the left air duct to get a better aim at the area. I use oxyben from my torch setup. Idle goes up when it gets suckd in. Ether is super flammable, don't recommend it.

[gomezoneill]

Nick, I read a lot of the other thread you started. I don't remember all the things you did to repair this problem. Did you try the simple stuff first? Was all the ignition in order? Did you replace the plug wires (with a new set)? New distributor cap? Don't mean to insult or anything just asking.