Print

Email

It’s a bit obscure, but is a better-sealing 4.0L Rover intake manifold gasket available?

The AERA Technical Committee offers the following information regarding a revised intake manifold gasket for 1989-’97 Rover 4.0L engines. This information applies to engines built within the VIN codes listed below.

In a continuing effort to improve sealing around the inlet manifold, a new inlet manifold gasket and flat washers have been introduced into production. Vehicles built before the change, as indicated by the VIN codes (Figure 1, below) can use the new style parts to repair inlet gasket leaks.

The new design gasket (Figure 2) and flat washers are designed to provide improved distribution of clamp load on the inlet manifold to cylinder head joints. As a result of the revised design, the sealing integrity of the joint is greatly improved.

The gasket design change can be easily identified as a change in the shape of the gasket around each inlet and coolant port opening. The installation of the new parts requires the correct torque procedure and must be followed with the new style gasket and flat washers. Refer to the numbered sequence in Figure 3, right, to torque the mounting bolts.

1. Tighten clamp bolts at front and rear of gasket to 4-7 ft.lbs. (5 -10 Nm).
   CAUTION: A flat washer must be used beneath all 12-bolt heads to ensure correct pressure is being applied.
2. Tighten the twelve intake manifold to cylinder head bolts in sequence (Figure 2) to 21 ft.lbs. (30 Nm).
3. Wait! Allow gasket to bed in (set up) for at least 5 minutes.
4. Tighten the twelve intake manifold to cylinder head bolts in sequence (Figure 3) to 35-40 ft.lbs. (47-54 Nm) using a standard torque wrench.
5. Tighten clamp bolts at front and rear of gasket to 10-15 ft.lbs (14-20 Nm).