Intake gasket on 97 Saturn SL2...
First, confirm the problem’s solution.
There are two methods to do this:
Temporarily plug the leak: To do this, with the engine idling, dribble a bit of water or oil on the gasket edges @ #1 cylinder. Hopefully the liquid will flow to the bottom of the gasket if that is where the problem is.
Temporarily provide more fuel to the air leak: With the engine idling, spray carb/throttle body cleaner or WD-40 at the gasket’s edges again @ #1 cylinder.
I read here or on SI of another method to provide fuel that is cleaner and safer than the above suggestions. Use an Unlit propane torch and direct the raw propane flow at the gasket edges.
If the idle settles down or changes, the gasket problem is confirmed.
I searched online for a step by step with pictures replacement guide. Couldn’t find one. That don’t mean that there ain’t one out there. A suggestion would be a Chilton’s repair manual. It should have step by step instructions and pictures.
As to the repair time, I came across a link (lost due to a browser crash) that said 7 hours was too high. Half that would be most reasonable. Other links said 2 1/2 to 8 hours. Dunno if those estimates were by shadetree weekend mechanics or seasoned pros.
Apparently Saturn’s intake gaskets are a problem. There were references to aftermarket “Fel-Pro” brand gaskets being better than OEM.
If you tackle the job yourself, make sure that you get ALL the old gasket material off, and the mating surfaces are CLEAN. If you don’t have them, you’ll probably need metric wrenches and sockets (Dunno for sure.) and a torque wrench. Good excuses for the spousal unit to add these items to the tool crib eh? <g>
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