how screwed am I?

[coltpython]

while putting my intake back on I broke one of the twelve bolts in the center that hold it on. how important is this? do I have to take the whole intake off NOW, get it out, then get the bolt to and replace it? I'm running out of time. I'm leaving for NY tomarow!!! (from indiana) will she make the trip?

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Yes, you have to replace that bolt. It COULD be fine for the trip, but.......better off replacing the bolt. If the intake isn't seated properly, you could wind up with a vaccuum leak there....

 

[coltpython]

that's depressing frown

 

[coltpython]

what if I put a little sealant on the head of the bolt and pressed it down tight? could that lower the chances of getting a vacuum leak? then when I got back I could take it apart again and clean the sealant then replace the bolt.

 

[Chrisssssssss]

If you are in a huge bind like that, I can't see a huge problem doing that. Use some good gasket sealant like this suff called "the right stuff". It works wonders, I used a bit on my valve cover gaskets and the spark plug well gaskets and I haven't had a problem with any leaks yet. I also used it around my oil pan and so far, so good. I would just do it asap, but remember it is just my opinion. I would just make sure to run it around town for a while to see how things act before taking off on your trip. I wouldn't want to see you stranded. Keep an eye on it throughout the trip and see if you get any oil in the spark plug that is related to that bolt.

 

[BeatDaSHO]

he didn't break one of the valve cover bolts, he broke one of the intake bolts. you should be fine getting to new york. just try and fix it when you get there. the other bolts should hold it down securely.

Greg

 

[shojuan]

If you do use a sealant, make sure it's oxygen sensor safe. I used some non-oxygen sensor safe silicone a while back to seal my ACT sensor into my CAI tube. Why? Because I liked the black color better of the plain silicone vs. the ultra grey that I had lying around. tool The other day I was reading up on O2 sensor safe sealants. It's a no no to use silicone spray near the intake or anywhere where fumes could possibly migrate, however slightly, to the intake. tool I've used silicone spray liberally in my engine compartment tool To lubricate my intake rubber boots tool To lubricate my MAF sensor o-ring tool eek! From now on I'll just stick to using the silicone spray on my coolant hoses during removal and replacement.

I wish the cans of silicone spray had a warning, same with non-O2 sensor safe silicone. Guess they don't want to hurt sales by scaring people away. Up until a few days ago I just thought you needed to use the O2 sensor safe stuff for metal to metal seals where oil comes in contact: oil pan, valve covers. Learn something new all the time.

Rick

 

[SHOZ123]

What actually happens is the silicon is injested and it heated to vaporization where it condenses into glass on the O2 senosrs. This glass seals the O2s from the exhaust gases.