98 S10 Vortec V6 4.3 Intake Gasket Replacement Part 1 of 5

[@mossman381]

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[@reginahullihen6760]

Just a word of thanks for the video. I'm not a mechanic, but my husband (who used to be) had a stroke a few years back, and couldn't tackle the blown intake manifold gasket. I still had to point at a few things with plugs in them and say "What's that"? But I got it apart, a new gasket in, and back together. Lost an o-ring while fighting with the fuel lines and had a leak, but took it back apart and put the old one back in. It worked. Car is now running again. So, big thanks for the video series that let me make labels for everything I was taking apart.

[@Rayden-sr7ez]

i love you bro, im 20 and i have never even taken a look into a engine bay and you carried me through my raplacement. you da homie

[@mossman381]

Glad the videos helped.

[@mikenettesheimsr.8946]

I will be attempting this exact procedure during this summer. you are the only one to have it on KZbin and I will be following your work right thru Part 5! you have my interest and appreciation.

[@tyler7937]

Hope you ended up using felpro. Just did this 2 weeks ago, gotta do it again. Amazon no Bueno

[@1oldiesbutgoodies]

I went through all these video. Your is by far the best. The confidence I gained after watching your video was amazing. Thank you so much. You saved me a bundle. So appreciative of u taking the time.

[@mossman381]

You are welcome

[@snw56]

You have the best 4.3l intake gasket repair video on KZbin. Just finished this repair on my '96 S10 pick-up. Ran into a few snags, but all is working now. Thanks for taking the time to document this repair.

[@mossman381]

+Stanley Waggoner Glad to help.

[@alanlott6170]

The S10 Forum was helpful, but watching your video sealed the deal. I watched your videos over and over through the process. Great production/video quality btw. Wished I'd replaced the water pump during the process because the cooling system wouldn't hold a vacuum. The gasket on the water pump was leaking. If I can send you some payment, please let me know. You kept my truck on the road! Helluva guy!

[@mossman381]

Glad I could help!

[@FilmNfool]

THANK YOU Mossman381 for your great video tutorials. I just changed the intake gaskets on my '96 S-10 4.3 - Couldn't have done it without your help ;)

[@mossman381]

Glad to help.

[@FilmNfool]

just fired the engine up yesterday and it purrs like a new truck. Again, thank you for your very detailed instructional videos

[@craftycub]

awesome videos! very well done and parts and bolts pointed out. i just started tackling this today. i have removed everything but the distributor today and stopped there. found these videos after i started. lol will be watching them tonight. very helpful. really appreciate it.

[@robertnuttley57]

Lefty loosey for the fan. You can also use a 10mm wrench to help hold the pulley while you bust loose the big fan nut. Super easy

[@1oldiesbutgoodies]

Oh ya, runs like a peach! All cause of you. Thanks again man. U ever get to northern colorado I got a spare room. No charge. This BUDS on me.

[@mossman381]

That is awesome. When I get comments like these I am glad I took the time to make the videos.

[@allied1394]

Holy and you thought the ranger was tough to work on haha your a braver man then I

[@mossman381]

It really isn't that bad. I am taking my time with it. Even though it gave me trouble I still miss that Ranger.

[@cool69455]

Got the truck up and running !!! Might have to do a clutch replacement job soon. Truck never has had one done since Ive owned her and also never a clutch adjustment

[@mossman381]

+eric rutherford That is good to hear.

[@andrewmesser334]

use a coolant system pressure tester to find the leak fast. most leak from water jackets in the intake manifold

[@cool69455]

Im currently doing my intake manifold gaskets on my 99 S10 ZR2................ SERVICE ENGINE SOON light came on and Pep Boys ran the code and says my V6 is running lean............ my truck has 203K miles on her and its still a great motor. To take off the waterpump fan, what I did was hold the waterpump pulley with vise grips and that held great................

[@mossman381]

+eric rutherford Have you changed your fuel filter?

[@mattt3171]

half way through this video, and realize that there are 4 more

[@robhernandez7322]

This comment: me here halfway through this video..

[@kloster2p]

Thank you, this was really helpful!

[@mossman381]

Glad to help.

[@FartinDonkies]

Was the bottom plug on the radiator the only place where you drained the fluid, did that remove most of the fluid from the intake as well? Also where there any hoses going from the radiator to the intake that you removed off camera that had any coolant sitting in them? Best walk through on KZbin by far.

[@mossman381]

There are a total of 5 videos. I don't think I left anything out. If I did something off camera I mentioned it. In the second video I believe I show that I removed the lower radiator hose from the water pump and that will remove most of the coolant. There will be some coolant left in the hoses.

[@cool69455]

Well.............got a in. lb. torque wrench at Harbor Freight and had to fork out a whopping 9.99 plus tax !!! Hopefully I used enough sealant !!!! Got that down and the valve covers all nice and clean and installed!! Ran out of daylight, so will start up again once the sun rises !! Supposed to be a nice day!! My MAP sensor gasket also broke, why cant we get just a gasket for that k=like you did with your EGR valve?? QUESTION. SO the distributor HAS to be dead on my mark, or the truck wont fire up? I got it pretty good, but it still has to come off again so that I can install the gasket! Another question !! The distributor I see didnt come off with a gasket, so is this a new thing to add the gasket?? I cant wait to get my 99 ZR2 back on the road again !!! Been sitting for too long ~~

[@mossman381]

+eric rutherford There should have been a gasket on the distributor. And yes the distributor has to go back exactly were it was. Otherwise you will have to adjust it. I think that is where most people mess up when the truck won't start after they do this job.

[@cool69455]

+mossman381 EIther mine deteriorated or the factory forgot to install a distributor gasket !!!

[@1oldiesbutgoodies]

In your opinion, what was the most important things to remember to do this operation? Distributor? Fuel pressure release?

[@mossman381]

Probably making sure you mark where the distributor is sitting before you take it out. That and remembering to plug everything back in.

[@TORAH-613]

@@mossman381 did you use the injectors that came with the intake or did you use different ones. Also did you use a fuel pressure regulator and did you have to reprogram the computer?

[@cool69455]

OK, I see all you do is take the number that the gasket paper instructions give us and divide that number by 12. Im going to do 4 ft lbs first, then 8, then the paper here just has 11ft lbs for the last and final torque. Im going to be setting down the manifold today, just as soon as the sun comes out. Being a truck driver, this is taking me 3 months to complete !! LOL. My next job since the truck has 203K on her is the heatercore! I read that is a job with having to pull the dash ! Do you, Mr Great Mechanic have a video on that ?? If not, please start !!

[@mossman381]

+eric rutherford You really need an inch pound torque wrench for inch pounds. The bigger torque wrenches don't do well at the very low settings.

[@jimmaster5342]

Mossma381 is right. The bigger torque wrench does not do well at low settings. I snapped a transmission pan bolt trying to do 10 foot pounds.

[@cool69455]

Just got the manifold off this year (New Years Day) and see that the hold down bolt to my fuel spider is loose as heck, but is there! Is that supposed to be that loose, or should I torque it down ?

[@mossman381]

+eric rutherford I am not sure. It's been a long time since I did this job.

[@dylanreynolds4899]

Why do you have to take the fan off?

[@mossman381]

Been a long time since I did this job. I was replacing the water as well. Not sure if you have to take the fan off if all you are after is the intake gaskets.

[@travissnyder8277]

Nice vidoes man. Appreciate it. Had to do this to my 2000 s10 with 218k miles. How many did yours have at the time?

[@mossman381]

Can't say I remember the miles. I am thinking 130-150k miles.

[@Denspion]

I have a 2001 Blazer, am told I have a leak as well, on the driver side as well, it's leaking back into the oil system, as there are no puddles even though the radiator empties out, is this the same engine as the 98?

[@mossman381]

They are similar engines but the 2001 will have a little different intake and different fuel injection system. Actually it has a better fuel injection.

[@SELLMEDOG]

Mossman, I have oil in the radiator on my 2001 blazer. Is the a surely an intake gasket issue? Thanks!

[@mossman381]

jeff rossberg Rossberg Could be but sounds like a head gasket. Is there coolant in your oil?

[@madmattdrummer5487]

Is this the same process for a 1990 s10 Blazer

[@mossman381]

This should work for the Vortec engines. I think they came out with them in 96.

[@Robertalv-t7w]

Do you need to put it on TDC first?

[@mossman381]

I didn't but I put the distributor back in the exact same spot and didn't turn over the motor. Worked out just fine for me.

[@Robertalv-t7w]

mossman381 thank you for the information I’m about to do mine next week I really appreciate

[@dooobie111]

I have a 93 Chevy c1500 standard and it got a little warm when the water pump when out but didn't overheat and after the water pump went out I replaced it of course but after I did that it starts to blow white smoke just a little after it warms up but when I start going the smoke goes away what do you think it might be

[@mossman381]

Hard to say without looking at it myself. Keep an eye on your coolant level. If you are loosing coolant and have no leaks you have a bad gasket or cracked head.

[@dooobie111]

+mossman381 ok thanks for replying

[@tonytabor2665]

I don't have a shop vac and I know I have gas coolant and dirt that has fallen down into my engine. What would you recommend at this point? Just do an oil change before I start it up again?

[@mossman381]

You really need to try and get most of it out. Dirt in an engine isn't good. Yes an oil change right away would be a good idea.

[@me13kone]

I just change the oil in my 01 4.3 and it looked a little brownish. been driving few days now and checked my oil it looks white grayish my compression still good could it be the intake gasket? i flushed out my coolant when i change my oil but that looks good still no oil in it just the oil in the motor looks like coolant is mixing

[@mossman381]

+MELEK ONER It's possible you have an intake gasket leaking coolant into the motor. The S10 is very well known for the intake gaskets leaking. Another thing that can go wrong with these trucks is the fuel pressure regulator can leak fuel into the motor oil. That was one reason I replaced mine while I was in there.

[@bamaboyzoutdoors7593]

Fan bolt turns opposite direction off that it turns while running

[@cool69455]

When are the head gaskets supposed to go out? Ive read where guys (and gals) did theirs with under my mileage and here my 99 ZR2 has 203K on the odometer................ Anyone want to buy the truck ???

[@mossman381]

+eric rutherford I can't tell you when your truck will loose a head gasket. Don't overheat the truck and you probably won't have a problem.

[@vicpnut1]

You gotta bang it quick to loosen the fan.....I was stumped for a day myself ...it’s more speed than power to snap it free

[@mossman381]

The fan can cause a lot of problems for people.

[@vicpnut1]

mossman381 this looked like quite the project.....today my s10 pu started smoking like mad, coolant burning off engine and exhaust ...passenger side but I couldn’t quite make out exactly where as steam and heat made it impossible to pin point ....tomorrow I hope to find leak , but I’m thinking it’s (at least one leak is) the manifold ....there’s so much fluid spraying around I thought maybe a cold plug type of thing , the fluid goes as soon as I pour it in so it’s hard to see all points, but it may well have blown out a few spots .... I guess I’m asking is this a common problem with 4.3 l Chevy engines, intake gasket blow out, that maybe you’ve heard of? Also if not is there another fast leak area to look for...? The engine never lost power so I’m fairly confident it’s not a head gasket type of issue and I’m not sure about heater and intake coolant lines yet , but it doesn’t appear to be .......thanks for the very thorough series of vids too

[@mossman381]

Intake gaskets are common on these 4.3 engines. They don't usually start leaking so bad coolant streams out. It's more of a drip down the block thing. Might want to look at the hoses going to the heater core. They are on the passenger side. I suppose a freeze plug could have rotted out. That could be a real problem and might require taking the motor out. I hope that isn't your problem.

[@vicpnut1]

mossman381 thanks

[@cool69455]

Well after spraying down my MAP sensor with MAP sensor cleaner, I HAVE NO MORE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT !!!!! 99 S10 ZR2 with 204K miles on her and still running!! Strange how my thermostat gauge would only read a quarter hot and after doing my intake manifold gasket job ( with MOSSMAN's VIDEOS ) installing a new waterpump , thermostat, and temperature sensor, the gauge now reads the truck at being halfway hot! I should of replaced the radiator while I was doing this job, but the truck never has overheated on me.

[@mossman381]

Glad to help. Your gauge might have been reading right before the new temp sensor. Or the thermostat might have not been closing all the way. Your temps should be around 190.

[@georgeburns5799]

Can you remember what type of fel-pro gasket set you used? Because I’ve seen multiple and wondering which would be better

[@mossman381]

I don't remember the part # but I wouldn't buy the cheapest one. The more you pay the more likely they are better gaskets.

[@larrybarclay5938]

Where do you get your parts my fellow pro kit is different and didn't come with directions

[@MrGiovannix12]

Common issue on these chevys. I could do them in my sleep.

[@mossman381]

I have never had to do one until now. But this is my first S10. Not as bad as I imagined it would be.

[@MrGiovannix12]

Its very easy. I just dislike taking the distributor out, but yea its doable.

[@mossman381]

***** Is there any parts I should replace while I have it all apart? The oil sending unit looks easy to replace right now but it is still working.

[@MrGiovannix12]

mossman381 they hardly go but they do like to leak after awhile. I would check for leaks in the plenum. Nothing else I could think of off the top of my head.

[@mossman381]

***** It looks like there is oil back there but not sure if it come out of the back of the intake or oil pressure sender. I may just replace it while I can get to it easy. I would like to take care of most of the leaks.

[@bobitwhite]

get a pressure tester and really know

[@LuisTorres-je6iy]

2 to 3 day job Hell no Just A couple of hours

[@TheBeerBox80]

getting that fan off is awful.

[@mossman381]

Yes it is but it will come off if you try hard enough.

[@TheBeerBox80]

I just got rid of mine and converted it to electric fans

[@UnitCrane514]

I have a 1500 V8 Vortec in my 02 Suburban and I'm not a fan of it. Im not a fan of GM products unless its pre 1980's because thats when GM went to shit was the 80's. Im a Ford fan, I've been searching around for a 4x4 Ranger for a while now, Ford always puts out a good product.

[@mossman381]

All manufactures have good and bad points. I will always drive a GM product.

[@MrGiovannix12]

mossman381 I agree

[@pureleaf6686]

@UnitCrane514 I have to disagree with you there. I'm a Service Technician in another trade and my service van is a 2016 Ford Transit. Every six months, my transmission acts up and I'm without a van for one to three weeks. "Ford always puts out a good product." is the statement I disagree with. Ford has put out great vehicles but has also had colossal failures, like with these transmissions. They had a major recall on these transmissions but even with the fresh parts, my transmission still acts up. My best friend in college had issues with her transmission as well on her newer Ford Fiesta. My co-worker has a newer Ford Expedition and has had repeated timing chain issues that were luckily still covered under warranty. Again, he was without a vehicle time and time again. He had it in so many times, the dealership didn't want to continue to warrant the repairs but he said something that got their attention. He didn't pay a dime that I know of. He had just bought it so I think he threatened that he wanted them to do a full buyback. My Dad is a diehard Ford guy. Through and through. But I'm a diehard Chevy guy. It just depends on a given person's experiences. All manufacturers have their own strengths and weaknesses. I just wanted to share my experiences with you.

[@cool69455]

Stupid me !!! The distributor gasket was invisible !! You really have to use a razor blade and take off the factory gasket !!! FOUND IT !!!!