BMW 328Ci Intake Manifold Gaskets Replacement Costs

Car	Service	Estimate	Shop/Dealer Price
2000 BMW 328CiL6-2.8L	Service typeIntake Manifold Gaskets Replacement	Estimate$834.58	Shop/Dealer Price$945.88 - $1237.24

Car

Service

Estimate

Shop/Dealer Price

2000 BMW 328CiL6-2.8L

Service typeIntake Manifold Gaskets Replacement

Estimate$834.58

Shop/Dealer Price$945.88 - $1237.24

What is an intake manifold gasket and how does it work?

The intake on an engine may be made up of a lower intake manifold and an upper intake manifold or plenum. The lower intake manifold is a cast aluminum or molded plastic chamber bolted to the cylinder head of the engine. The intake manifold must be tightly sealed to the cylinder head(s) using a gasket in order to prevent air, oil, or engine coolant leaks.

When to consider replacing the intake manifold gasket:

Internal or external leaks. Due to constant temperature expansion and contraction of engine parts or overheating, the gasket’s ability to seal properly can be ruined, resulting in problems such as:

Internal or external engine coolant leaks. In some applications, the manifold has cooling passages within. If the manifold seal to the engine fails, coolant can leak externally or even into the engine oil crankcase, where coolant can be noticed in the engine oil.
Engine overheating. If the leak at the manifold is a leak of engine coolant, it can lead to engine overheating. However, there are other causes of engine overheating, so a mechanic would have to determine the actual cause.
External oil leaks. On some 6 and 8 cylinder engines, the intake manifold sits atop an oil-lubricated area of the engine block. If the manifold gasket has failed, oil can leak from the block to the exterior of the engine.
Poor engine operation, lean operation, rough idle. Vacuum air leaks into the manifold due to a defective gasket that will upset the air-fuel ratio. The engine may run poorly.
Check engine light. Minor leaks at the intake manifold gasket will not usually cause the check engine light to illuminate. However, as a leak persists, it may grow larger and it possible for the leak to degrade engine performance enough that it will cause a trouble code to set, which will cause the check engine light to illuminate.

How do mechanics replace the intake manifold gasket?

Working on a cold engine, the engine cover is removed. If the intake manifold has internal cooling system passageways, the engine coolant is drained below the level of those passageways.
The accelerator cable assembly and cruise control cable are removed and set aside. All electrical connections and emission and vacuum lines in the way of the intake are removed. Ignition components, such as the coil, are removed as needed. If the car has an upper plenum, that is removed and set aside.
If the fuel rail is bolted to the intake manifold, the supply and return connections to the fuel rail are disconnected.
Once all connections to the manifold are clear, the manifold is unbolted and removed from the engine.
Aluminum and plastic manifolds are checked with a machinist’s straightedge to ensure the surface flatness does not exceed the original equipment manufacturer’s specification. If the surface of a manifold is not flat, the new gasket will not seal properly. Plastic manifolds are checked for cracks, heat damage, and warpage.
Once the manifold is deemed re-usable or replaced as needed, the new gasket is applied, the manifold is put in position and the mounting bolts are torqued with a calibrated torque wrench in the OEM specified sequence. In some applications, RTV sealant must be applied in corners of the mounting surface or specified hard-to-seal spots, per the service manual.
All removed components are then re-installed in the reverse of the above steps.
Finally, the vehicle is run and checked for leaks, and test driven.

Is it safe to drive with an intake manifold gasket problem?

Yes. The principal concern with a leaking intake manifold gasket is potential damage to the engine, depending on where the leak is. Although the vehicle will generally be safe to drive, you should schedule service as soon as possible to minimize the chances of additional costly damage. If the leak involves coolant, it could lead to engine overheating damage or the coolant could contaminate the engine oil, which can damage the engine bearings. If there is an air leak to the cylinders, it can cause lean operation which could overheat the catalytic converter.

When replacing the intake manifold gasket keep in mind:

In engines where coolant flows through the intake manifold, a leaking intake manifold gasket can be either the cause of or result of engine overheating. If you have a leaking intake manifold gasket, and the engine has overheated, the entire engine should be inspected for damage, such as a blown head gasket. The engine cooling system thermostat should be replaced because engine overheating can damage the cooling system thermostat.
Some car engine designs are more likely than others to experience leaking intake manifold gaskets due to material and design issues. Your mechanic can inform you if your car represents one of these cases. Many times a re-designed gasket, or altered installation technique and torque values, will be relevant to avoid a recurrence of any leaks. Mechanics will consult Technical Service Bulletins to determine if any unique circumstance exists for your car.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee

Meet some of our expert BMW mechanics

Real customer reviews from BMW owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(21)

Rating Summary

SEE REVIEWS NEAR ME

Robert

32 years of experience

646 reviews

Request Robert

by Chris

BMW 328Ci L6-2.8L - Service Light is on - San Jose, California

Robert is an excellent and expert mechanic . His knowledge of vehicles as well as his extremely professional manner make him a great choice to work on your vehicle . He goes above and beyond . I have used him on two jobs, he has always called the night before to touch base, and then is always prompt and courteous. He is awesome . Not only is he a great and master mechanic but also a great person . We are lucky to have him work and repair our vehicles .

Eliud

24 years of experience

312 reviews

Request Eliud

by Stacey

BMW 330i L6-3.0L - Intake Manifold Gaskets - Loganville, Georgia

Very professional & courteous

Richard

22 years of experience

461 reviews

Request Richard

by Clarence

BMW 328i L6-3.0L - Intake Manifold Gaskets - Atlanta, Georgia

Mr. Cobb was actually earlier than the stated appointment time, however, I was not surprised because he called and he sent me a text prior to his arrival. He was also able to complete the repair in what I considered to be very quickly. He was very honest with me about the need for repairs and when I could expect to absolutely have to have additional repairs made. I have already recommended friends. Thanks Mr. Cobb.

Kevin

34 years of experience

234 reviews

Request Kevin

by Maria

BMW 328i L6-3.0L - Intake Manifold Gaskets - Pico Rivera, California

BMW 328Ci Intake Manifold Gaskets Replacement at your home or office.

Estimate price near me

Intake Manifold Gaskets Replacement Service

How much does a Intake Manifold Gaskets Replacement cost?

On average, the cost for a BMW 328Ci Intake Manifold Gaskets Replacement is $605 with $185 for parts and $420 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

What is an intake manifold gasket and how does it work?

When to consider replacing the intake manifold gasket:

How do mechanics replace the intake manifold gasket?

Is it safe to drive with an intake manifold gasket problem?

When replacing the intake manifold gasket keep in mind:

Meet some of our expert BMW mechanics

Excellent Rating

Rating Summary

Robert

Eliud

Richard

Kevin

Excellent Rating

Rating Summary

Recent articles & questions

Power window not working

Car is making a "womp" sound when driving

Car has fuel compression and spark but it won't start.

How can we help?