Hey everyone. Sometime soon I will be replacing my intake manifold. From what I hear Ford uses a plastic one and over the years it will begin to leak. Well thats where I'm at!!! The manifold is only $255 at the local auto part store. My question is what should I be looking out for or could there be any other problems that has happend during this time! Im at 136xxx and its a 5.4 V8! The only major work I've done is a tune replaced all spark plugs, I re-did the ball joint with both control arms. I also want to flush the transmission but I heard that can cause more damage then good?? Other then that, the truck purrs like a kitten!!! Thanks in advanced for all your input.

 

Cmon.... I know somebody can help me out!!!!

 

Don't flush the transmission, just keep an eye on the fluid level and make sure the filters in good shape. Flushing it causes debris that builds up to damage the gears. Ford used the wrong intakes only on 97 4.2 so yours should be ok. You can tell they go bad if the ends of the spark plugs are green, or if the exhaust blows out a lot of white sweat smelling smoke.

 

Before you replace the intake manifold make sure it is in fact leaking. This can easily be done by spraying carb and choke cleaner on and around it. If the engine races or starts to die or the exhaust gets cloudy or foul smelling, you have a leak. Good luck!

 

As far as flushing the transmission take it to a tranny shop or the dealer and tell them you want it flushed. Should be around $250. What they do is loop the lines inline with the machine. They run your truck and as the truck is running it pumps the old fluid out and new fluid in. This is especially important to do because it will flush the torque converter, something you can't do by just dropping the pan and changing the filter. (I assume it's an automatic.)

 

Thanks JW205 for the input! Well I know for a fact thats its the intake manifold because Ive seen exactly where the leak is. It falls on the engine and evaporates before it can turn into a puddle! Thats why I never saw it and only smelled it! Nad as for the tranny flush.... I really dont wanna mess it up. I got the truck used at 102xxx miles and it now has 136xxx miles and I never did a flush so I thought it would be a good time! Also about when should I look to change belts, such as alt, timimg belt/chain and so forth??? Thanks again so much for the info!!!

 

Hey again! When the belt shows signs of cracking it is time to change it. There is only one belt on the engine and that runs all the acc. When you change the belt change the tensioner and idler pulley. If the tensioner and pulley haven't been done, ever, change them as soon as you can. It only takes a 10mm and a 15mm gearwrench to do the job. Our Ford busses go thru them at around 50,000 miles. Go to the dealer for these parts, they sould run around $80. As far as the timing chain is concerned don't worry about unitl it brakes which chances are won't be for quite some time.