The 600000 Mile Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement

Having attained the 600,000 mile milestone with my vehicle a few months ago and additionally never having opened the engine for any maintenance or repairs (and it still runs great), I figured this finally would be a good time to replace some internal engine gaskets.  Furthermore, over the last 50,000 miles, I occasionally noticed a very small pool of coolant sometimes accumulating under the back-side of the engine.  After eliminating any heater hoses or freeze-plugs as the source of the leaked coolant, a mechanic friend verified that the rear of the intake manifold was in fact showing signs of leaking (as the intake manifold on this engine maintains a water-jacket for cooling or whatever).  So, as I said, I figured 600,000 miles was long enough to wait to open the engine to replace some gaskets. 

The photos show some of the carbon build-up internal to the top-side of the engine.  What can I say?  Often driving the vehicle off-road in the sand when I first purchased it, I nevertheless probably only changed the motor oil a handful of times during the first 100,000 miles – if that often.  Regardless, knock on wood (and all), the engine still runs fantastically well and even better than before the gasket change!

Here’s to the next 600,000 miles!    :) 

Adam Trotter, P.E.  (January, 2017)

600,000 Miles to Idyllwild, Cal.

When in Southern California and seeking to get-away from the hustle and bustle of the urban/suburban sprawl, a drive to Idyllwild, Cal. can fulfill any such yearning!  Go and check-it-out for yourself to learn how unique and special is the town of Idyllwild. (See:  http://www.idyllwild.com/)

Idyllwild is a fun place to visit.  Even the ride up into the mountains to get there can be exhilarating.  Idyllwild has interesting events throughout the year and many great trails upon which to hike, good restaurants at which to eat, and even interesting and fun places at which to stay/lodge. 

Worth noting, I had been overdue and meaning to create this blog entry for the last couple of years.  However, a couple of months ago, my vehicle was poised to surpass the 600,000 mile point.  So I decided to take my own advice and take a special drive to Idyllwild to attain this exceptional mile-marker for my vehicle.  I was fortunate to have such a fun drive to such an interesting place available to me to commemorate this historic event for my wheels.

AVT (January, 2017)


PS.  The photos are from a couple of years ago during the late fall time of year.