Removing my intake manifold...am i nuts?

[Vegas34]

The DIY's I've read say there are 12 bolts, but mine appears to have 16. Could it be because mine is a 2001.5? Maybe the manifold was one of the changes after 2001? AND a couple of them are a MOTHER to get to...any suggestions?

[Blue AWD]

16 sounds right. dont worry its really easy to take it off.

[QWKDTSN]

Are you trying to use an allen key, or an allen socket on an extension? I just used an allen socket on my speed handle and zipped them all in and out...

16 sounds right to me, too...

While you've got it off spend the $85 for an 034 Motorsport phenolic spacer set, comes with all new gaskets and hardware :)

[JWatson]

watch out for the spider hose... broke mine taking off the IM. And if its not what youre there for, change the aux water pump.

[Vegas34]

I'm there to replace the auxillary pump, again, but it's been awhile so I'm going slow. I still have 2 more that are hell to get to get to...I have the injectors unplugged, so it should be close...oh, are the black single nuts holding knock sensors in place? I dunno if those need to come off or not...

[MacDaddy]

the biggest things you need to worry about is dirt falling into the intake manifolds and breaking hoses/check valves, the bolts are the easy part unfortunately.

[DxC]

u should be using a long ball end hex socket, maybe even with a wobbly extension - remember its all about using the right tool for the job.

while you are in there for the coolant pump, delete the pump with a brass 1/2" elbow.

also you should get intake manifold studs, as bolts are annoying to deal with.

just my advice.

[lbs4]

are the intake manifold spacers worth nthe cash? i heard they dont really do too much perfance wise.