The Average Cost for an Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement Is $338-$613 Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY.
This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. Related repairs or maintenance, such as cleaning the EGR valve and EGR ports, might also be necessary. For a more accurate estimate of how much it costs to replace the intake manifold gasket on your specific vehicle and in your location, check out the Repair Cost Calculator that comes free with the FIXD Sensor and app!
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Cost at the Mechanic: $555-$613
Parts: $338-$340
Labor: $217-$273
An intake manifold gasket replacement can take between two and three hours to perform. Replacing a malfunctioning intake gasket is essential because your vehicle’s engine needs a properly sealed manifold to prevent unwanted air from entering the system. While intake gaskets are designed to last for the life of the vehicle, sometimes they need to be replaced due to wear and tear, or when other engine repairs are performed.
Cost to DIY: $338 – $340
- Difficulty Level: Advanced
- Parts Needed: Intake Manifold Gasket Set
If you’re looking to save some money on your intake manifold gasket replacement, you might consider performing the task yourself. However, this is an advanced repair, and we recommend that you take your vehicle to the mechanic if you don’t have much experience with automotive repairs. Replacing the intake manifold gasket involves handling sensitive engine components that are easy to damage if you’re inexperienced, resulting in the need for even more costly repairs.
Keep in mind: There are many different types of intake manifold gaskets, each of which is designed for a specific engine. Not all intake manifold gaskets fit all vehicles. If you plan on performing the replacement yourself, make sure you choose the right intake manifold gasket for your vehicle. Always refer to your owner’s and repair manuals if you have any doubts.
What Is an Intake Manifold Gasket?
Your car’s intake system takes air from the air filter, through the intake system, and into the intake manifold. From here, the air is pulled into the cylinders through the valves as they open, mixed with fuel, and combusted inside the cylinders to generate power. You can typically find your vehicle’s intake manifold on the side of an inline engine, such as a four or straight-six cylinder, or in the center of a V-engine, like a V6 or V8, between the cylinder heads.
The intake manifold gasket sits between the intake manifold and the head (or heads) of the engine. It seals any gap between these parts and prevents any air that has not gone through the filter and intake from getting into your engine. Typically, the gasket is made of rubber or paper.
What Does an Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement Include?
If you suspect that your vehicle’s intake manifold gasket needs to be replaced, your mechanic will wait for the engine to cool before starting the repair. Once the engine is cool, they’ll remove the intake manifold from the engine, as well as any hoses or other components attached to it. Then they’ll scrape the failed gasket off of the engine and the intake manifold, and replace it with a new one. After the new gasket is in place, they’ll reattach the intake manifold to the engine, as well as any parts or hoses that were removed before. After everything is back in place, your mechanic will start the engine to make sure there aren’t any leaks, and then take the vehicle for a short test drive.
Typically, it takes between two to three hours to perform an intake manifold gasket replacement. It might take longer if your mechanic finds other issues with your vehicle.
What Happens If You Don’t Replace the Intake Manifold Gasket?
Your vehicle’s engine needs a specific proportion of air and fuel to work properly. The intake manifold is responsible for providing the correct amount of air. An intact gasket ensures that too much air doesn’t get in the system and disturb the air-fuel proportion. It also keeps out unwanted fluids.
If the gasket is broken, extra air and unwanted fluids can reach the engine cylinders, causing the engine to stall, misfire, and eventually lose power. If you think the intake manifold gasket is broken, you should have your vehicle towed to the repair shop, because driving it can cause even more damage.
If you don’t replace your vehicle’s intake manifold gasket, you could see the following OBD2 codes:
How Often Should You Replace the Intake Manifold Gasket?
Unlike oil changes and other routine repairs, there is no set schedule for replacing the intake manifold gasket. An intake manifold gasket could last the life of your vehicle. Driving habits and environmental conditions can also affect the gasket’s lifespan.
Common Symptoms You Need to Replace the Intake Manifold Gasket
- Your vehicle’s check engine light illuminates
- Your vehicle’s engine performs erratically
- Your vehicle’s engine keeps stalling
- Your vehicle is leaking oil and coolant
- Your vehicle is getting poor gas mileage
Related Maintenance Services
The following services are commonly performed with an intake manifold gasket replacement:
- Intake manifold
- Replacement of any oil or coolant that may have leaked
- Leak inspection
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