Inlet Manifold Gasket replacement & repair made easy

The inlet manifold gasket is sandwiched in between the engine and the air intake manifold and seals the two components together. It is usually made of a metal or hard composite material and has sections cut out to reflect the area where air flows through it.

The air / fuel mixture flows from the air inlets on the manifold into the engine to be combusted in the engine's cylinder. Additionally, the inlet manifold also serves as a cooling device for the engine coolant which flows through it (and therefore also through the gasket).

• Mechanic will inspect the intake manifold and gasket for leaks.
• Mechanic will read the car's ECU to find any fault codes.
• Mechanic will clean the air inlet ports of the engine of dirt (like carbon).
• If necessary, the mechanic will replace the inlet manifold gasket.
• Mechanic will advise if other part need to be replaced.
• Mechanic will again inspect the unit and test drive the car.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend an inlet manifold gasket replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

• When the 'Check Engine' light is on.
• When the engine runs at a higher temperature than usual (overheating).
• When there is fluid underneath the car under the engine.
• When coolant fluid is visible around the inlet manifold.
• When the engine does not run as smooth as usual.

An inlet manifold gasket replacement typically takes around 1.5 hours, but can take less or more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take depends on a range of factors. For example, your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

Due to the extreme temperature fluctuations inside the engine (during the combustion cycles the engine cools and heats continuously) the inlet manifold gasket is especially prone to wear and should always be replaced as and when stipulated in the guidelines set out by your car's manufacturer.

It is important to ensure that the gasket is in a good condition as a damaged gasket can cause engine coolant to leak out, risking overheating of the engine. Therefore, should you experience problems with the gasket, then it is important to have the manifold's gasket inspected and, if necessary, have it replaced.

If you suspect there is any issue with your vehicle's intake manifold gasket or there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic with immediate effect, driving the vehicle may lead to further complications and damage.

Although the inlet manifold gasket in a vehicle is not checked during an MOT, a bad inlet manifold gasket will typically affect emissions readings and if over the legal limits it can result in an MOT failure. A split or otherwise damaged inlet manifold gasket can cause air and coolant leaks. It is recommended to replace the failing car part prior to the test to avoid risking an MOT fail.

An intake or inlet manifold is a component fitted to the engine that helps funnel air into the engine and through which coolant can circulate as well. The intake air mixes with fuel in the intake manifold and the mixture is directed into the cylinders through a series of intake ports.

No, inlet manifold gasket in itself is not checked during an MOT test. However, it is a part of the wider engine and exhaust system which is checked for emissions limits. If there is a manifold gasket leak it can impact the emissions test which is crucial to pass the MOT test.

The inlet manifold gasket is fitted onto the cylinder head and is constantly exposed to temperature changes, and in particular exterme heat from the engine. The contraction and expansion cycles can result in deterioration of the gasket over time, and ultimately cause it to break.

The inlet manifold gasket is typically designed to last the lifetime of a vehicle. However, due to the constant pressure it is under it may need to replaced as a result of accelerated wear and tear.

If you don't change a bad intake manifold gasket, it will lead to air or coolant leaks between the cylinder head and the intake manifold. This can cause the engine to run a lean air/fuel mixture, and can potentially lead to serious damage to the engine. Also, any coolant leaks can cause the engine to overheat.