Reusing intake manifold and throttle body gaskets

[redneck truck]

I'm installing an S6 intake manifold between my engine and my throttle body and the intake and throttle body gaskets are expensive, so I'd like to reuse them. Is this possible? Maybe some sort of coating (think silicone, but not as messy) with which to treat the gaskets and encourage them to seal up. Thoughts?

[beemercer]

When I ported the intake elbow in my S4 (cast piece between the TB and intake mani) I reused both gaskets with no issues.

[Scotty@Advanced]

Intake gaskets are metal crush type and I've had them leak after re-using. The T/B gasket is paper and if you can get it off in one piece than you can likely re-use it.

How can you afford such and expensive project, the intake gaskets are ~ 8 bucks each??

[redneck truck]

I did not realize they were $8 gaskets. The dealer sells them for $40 each, and was hooking me up at $27 a piece. While this project may not be as expensive as it appears, I'm only able to afford it because I dodge the little $8 dollar expenses that would otherwise nickel and dime me to death. I hear of guys using MLS head gaskets by using some sort of copper spray on the gasket mating surfaces. Would the same be feasible here?

[Scotty@Advanced]

The dealer sells them for $40 each, and was hooking me up at $27 a piece.

What a deal!


While this project may not be as expensive as it appears, I'm only able to afford it because I dodge the little $8 dollar expenses that would otherwise nickel and dime me to death. I hear of guys using MLS head gaskets by using some sort of copper spray on the gasket mating surfaces. Would the same be feasible here?

i really don't know on that one try it out and let us know?

BTW you can actually spend a great deal more money trying to save money....

[redneck truck]

You're right, there's a happy medium. I don't mind pulling the manifold a few times, so will let you guys know. Happy to be a guinea pig, as always.

[rs6joe]

Yea if you're going to take the time to do the job, do it right. Rule of thumb, never reuse old gaskets.

[redneck truck]

I love rules of thumb. You know where that term came from, right?

Installed with old gaskets, and it runs perfectly, so far. Spraying brake clean around gasket mating surfaces does not affect idle.

[Scotty@Advanced]

I love rules of thumb. You know where that term came from, right?

Installed with old gaskets, and it runs perfectly, so far. Spraying brake clean around gasket mating surfaces does not affect idle.

I won't knock rules of thumb. For some people the time required to do a job over isn't worth the minimal amount of costs saved. Especially when customer satisfaction comes into play.

Give it some time and heat cycles and see if she holds. And if your brake cleaner is chlorinated your test is bunk.

[redneck truck]

That is a good point - I'm eager to work on my car most times, and I'm always jacking around under the hood, so my motives probably differ from a shop who does not want their customer to return for that same problem. Then again, if I were a shop, I wouldn't be the one paying for all the expensive disposable parts, so I'd have no qualms purchasing them and passing the cost through to my customer. Until then, I'll pinch pennies on parts shops might replace as a precaution, so I can afford the parts I really want to buy.