Which Plenum Gasket Should I Get?
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: up north
I don't think theres a timetable one can follow for the plenum . If you've seen what DC used , it's a thin metal gasket , eventually , it bound to fail and leak by design .
If you notice , the plenum is tilted down towards the rear . Back the truck up a steep grade , now , if you have pooling oil , its coming forwards , look down the TB with a flashlight . Don't be fooled by the crap that comes through the PCV (blow-by), that should appear more like a residue .
Best thing , do the test . Mine failed (one my 5.2 jeep)when I first did a plenum gasket test . I replaced it with stock , not knowing better . It failed again in 3 months . I replaced the engine and redid the plenum with a fel-pro , stock plate and anaerobic gasket maker (made for mating 2 different metals), it's been over a yr , it was tested a month ago with perfect results .
My 200 K Ram is still original AFIK and can tell , no major oil consuption , no pooling in the plenum and no ping . I never felt the need to even test it yet . When it does need redoing , I'll go the same way again , cheap .
If you notice , the plenum is tilted down towards the rear . Back the truck up a steep grade , now , if you have pooling oil , its coming forwards , look down the TB with a flashlight . Don't be fooled by the crap that comes through the PCV (blow-by), that should appear more like a residue .
Best thing , do the test . Mine failed (one my 5.2 jeep)when I first did a plenum gasket test . I replaced it with stock , not knowing better . It failed again in 3 months . I replaced the engine and redid the plenum with a fel-pro , stock plate and anaerobic gasket maker (made for mating 2 different metals), it's been over a yr , it was tested a month ago with perfect results .
My 200 K Ram is still original AFIK and can tell , no major oil consuption , no pooling in the plenum and no ping . I never felt the need to even test it yet . When it does need redoing , I'll go the same way again , cheap .
All Star
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 1
From: EL CAMPO, TX
I don't think theres a timetable one can follow for the plenum . If you've seen what DC used , it's a thin metal gasket , eventually , it bound to fail and leak by design .
If you notice , the plenum is tilted down towards the rear . Back the truck up a steep grade , now , if you have pooling oil , its coming forwards , look down the TB with a flashlight . Don't be fooled by the crap that comes through the PCV (blow-by), that should appear more like a residue .
Best thing , do the test . Mine failed (one my 5.2 jeep)when I first did a plenum gasket test . I replaced it with stock , not knowing better . It failed again in 3 months . I replaced the engine and redid the plenum with a fel-pro , stock plate and anaerobic gasket maker (made for mating 2 different metals), it's been over a yr , it was tested a month ago with perfect results .
My 200 K Ram is still original AFIK and can tell , no major oil consuption , no pooling in the plenum and no ping . I never felt the need to even test it yet . When it does need redoing , I'll go the same way again , cheap .
If you notice , the plenum is tilted down towards the rear . Back the truck up a steep grade , now , if you have pooling oil , its coming forwards , look down the TB with a flashlight . Don't be fooled by the crap that comes through the PCV (blow-by), that should appear more like a residue .
Best thing , do the test . Mine failed (one my 5.2 jeep)when I first did a plenum gasket test . I replaced it with stock , not knowing better . It failed again in 3 months . I replaced the engine and redid the plenum with a fel-pro , stock plate and anaerobic gasket maker (made for mating 2 different metals), it's been over a yr , it was tested a month ago with perfect results .
My 200 K Ram is still original AFIK and can tell , no major oil consuption , no pooling in the plenum and no ping . I never felt the need to even test it yet . When it does need redoing , I'll go the same way again , cheap .
All Star
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 946
Likes: 1
From: EL CAMPO, TX
OK will do but where do I get these Felpro gaskets and Hughes kits etc.
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: up north
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Northern Va
i'm going to get the hughes kit for my 99 5.9 but can't find the felpro gasket.... can someone post a part#
Record Breaker
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
The best suggestion I can give you is to use the SEARCH feature to look up the posts relating to the plenum gasket. There are a lot of knowledgeable guys around here but I'm sure they don't want to have to repeat themselves. The SEARCH is your friend, and it's free, used it! Read through the posts and make up your own mind as to what works best for you, and many of these posts will have links in them.
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 389
Likes: 1
From: Fairfax VA
I wouldn't waste time looking for the felpro gasket. The gasket that is shipped with the pan replacements is more than adequate. It is only someone’s opinion that the felpro is better. There is no verifiable proof that either is superior. There are no reports of either failing. The problem was the steel pan, not the gasket.
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 1
From: Elk Rapids, MI
I wouldn't waste time looking for the felpro gasket. The gasket that is shipped with the pan replacements is more than adequate. It is only someone’s opinion that the felpro is better. There is no verifiable proof that either is superior. There are no reports of either failing. The problem was the steel pan, not the gasket.
Why would a well known company such as Hughes offer such a good product and offer a junk gasket with it? And if they actually were having issues with the gaskets (which Im sure they would hear about it), I would think they would have changed them years ago. I just used what they sold me (except for the first warped plate).
