Chevy 4.3 help advise needed...... intake gasket

[ghost]

So the owner of the truck said he believes the intake gasket is leaking. There is no coolant in the oil though. I don't know my way around this motor too well. It's in a SS S10 truck if that matters. I know my way around an engine and how to swap them in and out of jeeps especially. Any pointers on confirming it's the intake and what tools are needed to do that if any? Is this a fairly straight forward job and what kind of time frame is involved in fixing it?

 

[a_kelley]

Intake gaskets will leak at the corners of the intake, externally. Look at the mating surface of the intake and head. About impossible to see the rear. Plastic & rubber gaskets, yes prone to fail. 96 and newer use the plastic with rubber. 95 and older are regular gaskets. I'd check to see if the coolant looks rusty and if it smells like exhaust is got cracked or warped head (s). Loan a cooling system tester and you can find it out real quick. Run it too with pressure and if it starts misfiring the heads are certainly warped or cracked.

 

[RenegadeT]

What's going on to make you think something is failing? A leaky intake gasket wouldn't mix coolant/oil, it would be a vacuum leak and run like crap. While engine is running, go around the intake gasket seam with wd40. If you spray on a leak, it will suck in wd40 and the idle will change.
Changing the intake on my 5,3 wasn't that bad, I assume a 4,3 is similar.

 

[Tim C]

They usually start seeping at the head to the outside like stated above. If they go long enough like that they can start leaking into the lifter valley where coolant will mix with oil.

If it has the plastic and rubber gaskets, definitely get the upgraded felpro gaskets, they're aluminum and rubber and much better.

It's not a bad job, lay a good 3/8" bead of rtv on the front and rear block walls after cleaning intake and block good with brake clean. Any oil residue will prevent it sealing. I let the bead sit for 5-10 minutes before setting the intake back on. Mark the distributor good because it's not adjustable on newer 4.3s and it'll set a code if it's not right.

I usually pull the alternator and its bracket completely off the truck since its only about 4-5 bolts total. I loosen all the bolts on the power steering bracket and pull it forward a few inches. Pull the compressor bolts and flip it over and bungee to the fender.

I'd figure a Saturday afternoon if you've never done one before. I knock them out in a few hours at work.

 

[ghost]

He's got coolant coming out of it no coolant in the oil yet. It runs rough. Thanks for the replies. I looked at a couple you tubes. He's got a buddy who's dad works on cars so I ended up helping him get it there. Thanks again!