Have a look at your tune up parts while they are easy to get to.

Got oil in your plenum? Wonder if it isn't *just* an intake gasket leak...... (as opposed to the plenum leaking again.) Might try re-torquing the intake before ripping everything off, just to see if anything changes.

Done your timing chain and gears yet? It is well passed time for it on yours.

 

Ever since I did the plenum repair the first time, I've been paranoid about it failing again, so I have looked down inside the intake through the throttle several times and it always looked clean. That was, until Sunday when I was hunting for the source of the loud squealing/whistling. I noticed some oil in there then. Not a large amount, but enough that I could see it easily.

I had the same though about maybe just the manifold gasket(s) leaking by, so I figured I'd start by moving the alternator and AC out of the way and checking all of the manifold bolts. If I find one or more that aren't torqued all the way, I'll probably start the engine briefly and check for vacuum in the crank case again. Maybe I'll get super lucky and that's all it is...but I'm not holding my breath. I'm really thinking that maybe the RTV has failed in the corners.

And no, I checked my maintenance records and realized the timing chain has never been replaced while I've owned the vehicle. So, I really should do that while I'm in there. I'm a little hesitant when it comes to doing anything timing-related, as I've only started doing my own maintenance in the last year or two, so I don't have a huge amount of confidence built up yet. But, I've read several of the threads here about replacing the chain and gears, and it sounds fairly straight-forward. I guess I'll need to rent the fan removal tool and harmonic balancer puller. Should I put in a new water pump, too? The current one is about 3 years old.

Thanks for all your help!

 

Never hurts to buy tools...... I have a chain wrench for removing fans, and it also works great on other odd and strange projects. (like, the filters on my house plumbing....)

Since the water pump has to come off anyway, might just as well replace it. One less thing to worry about. (though, they DO tend to last longer than three years.....)

Timing set is cake. Just make sure everything is lined up before you take off the old one, and the new one will slip right on. Just be careful with the bottom two bolts (that come up from the oil pan) and the oil pan gasket. I didn't even have to disturb mine to do the timing set. Of course, I have had the oil pan off three or four times in any event.... but, that's a whole 'nother kettle o' fish.