NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #3/NN_1993_3.iso/spool/rec/autos/vw/8530

Internet Message Format | 1993-01-25 | 1.6 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!gatech!paladin.american.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!saimiri.primate.wisc.edu!sdd.hp.com!cs.utexas.edu!not-for-mail
From: [e-mail] (Alex Miller)
Newsgroups: rec.autos.vw
Subject: (w) '83 Rabbit - hole on top of my intake manifold
Date: 25 Jan 1993 12:54:28 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
Lines: 31
Sender: [e-mail]
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

I just got my '83 Rabbit GTI back from a 90K-mile major service.
The engine compartment was cleaned/degreased a little, and it was
easy for me to notice a 1/16" spot on the intake manifold, on top
of the runner leading to #2 cylinder.  On closer examination, it
wasn't a spot, but A TINY HOLE.  It was just large enough for me
to stick a coat hanger wire in it.

My engine is so noisy, that I can't say I noticed any vacuum leak
sounds when I drove it.  And I didn't notice that my idle was
particularly low.

I covered the hole with a bit black "racers" tape, then started
the car to see how it ran.  Now that I was paying attention, the
idle seemed much too low (around 400-500 rpm.)

I have a few questions:

(1) Do intake manifolds eventually get holes in them?

(2) Could this hole be caused by corrosion due to chemical cleaning?
    I.E. - could the shop have leave strong cleaning agents on
    the car for too long, or not washed them off properly, causing
    this hole?

(3) Is there something I can use to seal up this hole?
    The intake manifold probably gets hot - 300+degrees-F

thanks,

Alex
[e-mail]