2000 F-150 5.4L Intake Manifold replacement

[@shroombud13]

how many bolts on the intake?

[@MrMazzhitz02]

11 that get 2 stages of torquing from 18 in-lbs to 18ft-lbs

[@SanchoGracie]

Worst part: 🕷🕷

[@whatthetechmechanic]

When you had the leak did you have smoke coming out of your exhaust?

[@MrMazzhitz02]

The smoke was slight and noticeable on warmups, low coolant levels and a bit of a stumble on acceleration.

[@whatthetechmechanic]

@@MrMazzhitz02 I just bought an 03 f150 it's been sitting for a little bit and it has a bunch of white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. I'm thinking it might be an intake issue instead of a head gasket because of no milky oil cap. Thanks for the quick response!

[@MrMazzhitz02]

@@whatthetechmechanic Have you pressure tested the cooling system or pulling out the spark plugs to confirm the source of the leak. When you have smoke, it usually means that you have a large amount of coolant in the combustion chamber. This leading to a head gasket. With my 2000 F150 5.4L Cyl 4 has a small head gasket leak that I used a camera to see inside the engine cylinder. I used Blue Devil and it sealed it.

[@whatthetechmechanic]

@@MrMazzhitz02 I got the pressure tester and the cap wouldn't fit onto the overflow and I didnt see a radiator cap to put it on. That's what i was originally going to do. I turned the engine on for just a minute and when I turned it off i heard a like sounding like an air like and it was right at the thermostat housing on the crossover on the intake. That's why I was thinking it my be getting past the intake and into the cylinders causing the smoke. Im not exactly sure how to differ from the two and dont exactly want to guess either. How has the blue devil held up. I've always been hesitant on using sealers on an engine.

[@MrMazzhitz02]

@@whatthetechmechanic The tester should have an adapter to install it on the reservoir, maybe try renting a kit from Automotive store in your area. As far as a sealant... I feel dumb for using it but I was desperate for a fast solution. It works and held up great. I still have the truck. Down side to any sealant in the cooling system is the potential harm to the waterpum or blocking your heater core. Also when you start your engine have the cooling system filled and topped off to the full line. Then allow it to warm up to normal operating temperature, give the upper radiator hose a squeeze and see if it is pressurized similar to squeezing a basketball... a head gasket will cause the cooling system to become over pressured (greater than 16psi, tolerance of the Radiator Cap) you will then see a leak around the cap and or the reservoir.