First off, its an 08 with 4.6l and only 64k miles on it. I recently drained and filled the radiator and gave the hoses and stuff a good inspection while I was under the hood. I noticed a good bit of buildup around the thermostat housing where it meets the plastic manifold, nothing wet, just looked like it is very slowly leaking and causing a buildup of what looks like white powder. So I am now paranoid with it, reading all the stories of the manifolds failing at that point and I keep looking at it everyday. I barely noticed a spot on the white buildup where it looked like it was wet, but small, like a drop. So I see a replacement in my future......

Is there any tips you guys have for me that have had this repair done? Is there a better replacement manifold that is possibly made better? How much should I expect to spend on this repair?

I'm hitting the road this Thursday for Colorado, so hope she holds up!!!

 

Here is picture of the manifold you can look at. Also a good price if needed in the future.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Intake-Manifold-Upper-Dorman-615-375-fits-07-08-Ford-F-150-4-6L-V8-/391134143171?hash=item5b116962c3&vxp=mtr

 

DO NOT Tighten IT or it will crack! Just keep an eye on it.

 

Intake replacement video to watch. Will give you some idea if you want to do it yourself or not.

 

Tightening it did cross my mind but I decided to not touch it. I saw the videos and have read the dorman is a good replacement, but I think I'll let my mechanic shop handle the labor. They will usually let me bring my own parts. I'm mostly worried about it making it on vacation right now, looking at about 4,000 miles in the next 10 days, leaving tomorrow. I'm gonna look it over every time I stop for fuel.

Im just a little bummed as I'm very picky about the truck and keep it well maintained, this sorta repair shouldn't be needed at only 65k miles. I guess I'll get the plugs changed when the time comes to put it in the shop.

Anyone know what the damage will be cost wise putting it in the shop for intake replacement?

 

Not sure ,but I think its about 6 hours plus parts. most shops by me get $100 an hour X6 = $600 I have seen these start to leak for months,wet everytime time the motor is cold and still not cause a break down. Just take extra antifreeze with ya on the trip and check it when ya get gas. should OK (Just a Note: GM's come with "seal tabs" stop leak in there cooling system from the factory)

 

Thanks for the help. That's what I was thinking as well, in the 1000-1200 range to get it replaced. I have an extra gallon of coolant and a gallon or 2 of distilled water in the tool box. I'll definitely keep an eye on it every stop.

I heard about the gm stop leak stuff they put in there....Im not a fan of any kind of stop leak, I think it will cause even more problems down the road, plus the original problem. But I might have to grab some and keep it in the box just to be safe.

 

Ford uses a similar product at the factory, it's the same as Bars Leak tablets.

 

Seal Tabs don't clog anything, They just flow with the antifreeze and plug small leakage! Put 5 of them in an cooling system and good to go. There is a $20 little blue bottle of sealer that auto part stores sell, that will not clog as well and stops leaks from starting. I used it in Volvo's because they had engine blocks that would leak. I use it in my Volvo, and drove coast to coast 6000 miles w/o a problem. I add it w/ every Cooling system flush.