2005 dodge caravan with 100k miles. I have a coolant leak seems to be on an area of the intake manifold where it is pitted and not flat and smooth. Seems like it was like this from the factory. I got a new felpro gasket but I was wondering if I should also rtv over the area where it is pitted and not smooth. I cleaned it as good as possible but you can still see where the area is pitted.

 

"""Seems like it was like this from the factory."""



That is called Cavitation. From a coolant leak that has been escaping from that surface for an extended time.


If it's deep, I would just get another manifold. A salvage yard one will be fine.

 

Thanks for the info. If I do not replace manifold do you think I should apply some rtv to the area or just go with the gasket alone.

 

Spread some RTV, let it haze for a bit, then torque down.