What are the signs of a bad intake manifold gasket in a BMW?

The primary job of an intake manifold gasket is to seal the gap between the intake manifold and cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine of a BMW needs a closed environment to run efficiently. Intake manifold gaskets are made of rubber, soft metal or paper and help to maintain the compression inside the combustion chamber of the engine of a BMW. Besides, it also prevents the leakage of coolant into the combustion chamber of the engine which could adversely affect the performance of a BMW.

Intake manifold gaskets are made of soft materials which are vulnerable to extreme hot temperatures generated due to internal combustion processes. Cracked or damaged gaskets not only influence the power output in a very adverse way but also it could cause irreparable damages to the engine of a BMW which might cost a lot to repair. So, signs of a filing or worn out intake manifold gasket should not be neglected. The condition of different types of gaskets used in the engine of a BMW should be inspected regularly and if necessary should be replaced with suitable substitutes.

A bad intake manifold gasket in a BMW!

A bad intake manifold gasket could adversely affect the performance of a BMW. Besides, if it left unrepaired then it could cause major problems in the long run. So, signs of an intake manifold gasket failure should not be neglected. Bad performance by the engine, white smoke generation, engine overheating and poor fuel economy are some of crucial warning signs which shows that the intake manifold gasket needs immediate attention.

Engine performance declines:

Loss of acceleration or low power generation by the engine of a BMW is a sign of intake manifold gasket failure. Vacuum leak caused by a worn out intake manifold gasket could influence the air to fuel ratio and compression inside the combustion chamber as a result of which the engine stalls or could not perform well. So, a sudden drop in the engine power is a clear sign of defective intake manifold gasket which should be immediately repaired to keep a BMW functional.

Engine overheating:

As mentioned earlier, the intake manifold gasket prevents the internal leakage of coolant into the combustion chamber of the engine. However, a worn out gasket could not do so as a result of which the engine coolant drains into the combustion chamber. Coolant circulates throughout the engine to stabilize its temperature. However, insufficient coolant could cause engine overheating in a BMW. Inspection should be conducted to detect and repair the problems associated with the cooling system in order to prevent internal leakage of coolant.

White exhaust smoke:

Intake manifold gasket acts as a seal against the leakage of both air and coolant. However, a worn out intake manifold gasket could not prevent the leakage of coolant into the combustion chamber of a BMW. Drainage of coolant is solely responsible for the generation of white exhaust gas. So, the color and quantity of exhaust smoke should be inspected regularly. Appearance of thick white, blue or black smoke from the exhaust system shows that the engine has some malfunctions which need immediate attention. The engine of a BMW is very expensive and thus needs proper care to run smoothly.

Poor fuel economy:

A BMW engine with worn out intake manifold gasket consumes more fuel than normal. Damaged intake manifold gasket disrupts the air to fuel ratio inside the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and thus adversely affects the fuel economy of a BMW. If the fuel economy of a BMW suddenly inclines, then it shows that certain crucial components of the engine might have some errors which need immediate attention.

Wrapping up

Driving a BMW with a worn out or broken intake manifold gasket might not have any immediate impacts on the performance of a car. But, it could jeopardize the entire system in the long run which might cost a lot to a BMW owner. Moreover, leaving such issues untreated for a long time might trigger major mechanical failure in the engine. So, the appearance of warning signs which shows that certain crucial components of the engine are failing to do their jobs should not be neglected. Worn out gaskets should be replaced as soon as possible to keep a BMW engine operational.

We at Mechanics Direct are family owned automotive servicing and repair shop and have 22 years of experience in looking after cars like Acura, Lexus, Subaru, Toyota, Honda, BMW and Mercedes.