Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I read on US sites that it is common for the 3.2L V6 98 onwards to develop leaky inlet manifold gaskets that cause rough idle, stalling and some irratic behaviour. To some extent I'm suffering similar occurences. Anyone here found the need to replace the gaskets?

dipstick wrote:I read on US sites that it is common for the 3.2L V6 98 onwards to develop leaky inlet manifold gaskets that cause rough idle, stalling and some irratic behaviour. To some extent I'm suffering similar occurences. Anyone here found the need to replace the gaskets?

yep, its a known problem here on 3.2 and 3.5, but a fairly easy fix. Grab some carby cleaner and spray it around the manifold joins while running (engine cold is better) and see if it picks up straight away.

But the air bypass valve on the throttle body does get clagged up with carbon and cause rough idle etc. Start there, easy enough to remove and clean up with carb spray / gun brush in the port etc. then lube shaft of stepper motor with silicone spray , dab a bit on the o ring as well and re-fit. It may take a couple of start stop cycles for the ecu to readjust to the new settings. Give the throttle body and blade a good clean as well while you are at it.

I do this every service and it keeps it running as sweet as.
cheers Brad

Yep I had a cracked inlet manifold.

Cost was $90 each, had to get 2 obviously because of the split manifold design on the V6.


That was about 1 year ago now. Has been running good up till recently where I have a problem of when it is idling, it will be ok for about a few mins then the revs will drop to below 500 then the engine will pick itself up to just over 1000 then settle back to 800 or so and repeat this process over and over. Not sure what is causing it yet. Happened after a rather large dunking in a mudhole that caused the check engine light to come on.

Is going into the local workshop this week to get diagnosed.