The check engine light started blinking on my 1999 Protege (1.8L) a couple weeks back. My mechanic said that the computer said the intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. Not knowing what was involved, I said "Oh, I've done that before on a different car, I'll do it myself."

So I went home and opened up my trusty Haynes manual and was shocked to see how complicated it was. It says that I've not only got to drain the cooling system, but that I need to raise the car to remove the intake manifold support. I don't have my own garage, so this is pretty much impossible for me.

My question is: Is all this necessary to just replace a gasket? Can I get away with not draining the cooling system? I'd like to avoid paying about 10% of the cars value to fix this.

 

the fluid goes through the intake manifold, so you would end up with a watery mess if you didn't drain it. if you don't have an extensive tool collection and a garage, this is very hard to do. if i remember correctly, you need the bent style open-ended wrenches to get around to the bottom side of the manifold. the only place that i have ever been able to find those wrenches are with the snap-on man and i paid an arm and a leg for them.

 

You both are right! We just did it. My son did it for his cousin, and it took him well over the time mechanics are alloted to do this. It requires a very narrow wrench to get the under side bolts in the middle by the battery, and a bottle jack to raise it to get the three holding the intake up. You should be at least a very good shade tree mechanic, or a trained technician to accomplish this easily. Do not attempt in under severe time constraints.
Also there is two gaskets, but the second one is metal, so we did not replace it.