Buy Ford Taurus Engine Intake Manifold Gasket Sets

The intake manifold is the metal (or composite) passage that feeds air to every cylinder. A thin but tough gasket set sits between the manifold and the cylinder heads, trapping air, fuel vapors, engine vacuum, and-on many Taurus engines-coolant that flows through the manifold. See a simple diagram here. (Wikipedia)
When the seal ages or shrinks, outside air sneaks in, the mix turns lean, and the engine stumbles or overheats. Modern gaskets use multilayer steel (MLS), molded rubber, or steel-reinforced fiber to stop those leaks even under high heat and vibration. (felpro.com, highwayandheavyparts.com)

• Sealing air paths The gasket surrounds every intake runner so each cylinder gets an even air-fuel charge, keeping power balanced. (felpro.com)
• Holding in coolant On the 3.0 L Vulcan and 3.5 L Duratec V-6, coolant crosses the manifold; the gasket's silicone beads keep liquid from seeping into the valley. (Taurus Club)
• Maintaining vacuum A tight seal lets the throttle create vacuum for brakes, PCV, and cruise control, boosting both drivability and fuel economy. (US EPA)

• Lean codes P0171/P0174 on both banks after a cold start. (JustAnswer)
• Rough idle, hiss, or whistle from the plenum. Watch this quick demo video. (YouTube)
• Coolant on the block or in the oil ("milky" dip-stick). (Taurus Club)
• White exhaust smoke and unexplained coolant loss. (YouTube)
• Poor fuel mileage because un-metered air tricks the computer into adding extra fuel. (waltsautoservice.com)

The gasket set design varies slightly by engine, but the job is similar across:

• 1996-2007 Taurus / Sable 3.0 L OHV "Vulcan" V-6-uses upper and lower graphite-coated fiber gaskets plus throttle-body and EGR seals. (Taurus Club)
• 1996-2005 Taurus 3.0 L DOHC "Duratec 24 V"-adds six silicone O-rings for the upper plenum. (Taurus Club)
• 2008-2019 Taurus 3.5 L Ti-VCT / EcoBoost-MLS upper gasket set with torque-to-yield bolts. (YouTube, ecoboostperformanceforum.com)

Always match the VIN engine code (e.g., "U" for Vulcan) before ordering a kit.

• MLS (multilayer steel) resists blow-out at high cylinder pressure. (highwayandheavyparts.com)
• Molded rubber over steel stays flexible longer than paper gaskets. (felpro.com)
• Coated fiber (graphite/cellulose) is cost-friendly and seals minor imperfections. (felpro.com)
  Quality gaskets include embossed sealing beads around each port and silicone "barriers" at coolant holes to stop corrosion creep.

← scroll table horizontally →

Sources: step-by-step charts from 2CarPros and Ford service data. (2CarPros, JustAnswer, Fortau)
Use a 1/4-inch torque wrench, inch-pound scale, and follow the factory criss-cross tightening order to prevent warping.

1. Disconnect battery and relieve fuel pressure.
2. Mark vacuum lines with tape so they return to the right ports. (YouTube)
3. Remove upper plenum bolts; lift off evenly to avoid bending.
4. Stuff lint-free shop towels into the runners so no debris falls in. (YouTube)
5. Scrape gasket surfaces gently with a plastic scraper-no metal gouges.
6. Lay the new gasket dry; most come pre-coated-no RTV except tiny beads at the four coolant corners if the manual calls for it. (felpro.com)
7. Torque in two stages as shown above, then re-attach hoses and refill coolant.
8. Perform an idle relearn (let the engine idle 5 min with lights off, A/C off).

A full DIY video guide is here. (YouTube)

• Swap the PCV valve every 30 k mi to cut crankcase acid that eats seals. (waltsautoservice.com)
• Keep engine coolant fresh to fight corrosion along gasket edges. (Taurus Club)
• Fix any misfires quickly; raw fuel can wash oil off gasket sealing beads.
• Once a year, spray carb-cleaner around the manifold while idling; a jump in RPM means a leak. (JustAnswer)

A tight intake gasket helps the Taurus meet emissions targets and saves fuel: leaks force the ECM to add up to 10 % more fuel to compensate for extra air, costing several mpg. (US EPA, waltsautoservice.com)

Vacuum leaks raise hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon-monoxide (CO) output by 20-30 % in EPA dynamometer tests, while coolant leaks can let ethylene glycol vapor enter the exhaust and damage catalytic converters. (US EPA, MotorTrend)

According to RepairPal, Taurus intake-manifold gasket replacement averages US $455-$534, with labor roughly 40 % of the bill. (RepairPal.com)
Doing the work yourself typically means US $30-$60 for a premium gasket set, new plenum O-rings, and throttle-body gasket.

Q: What does an intake manifold gasket set include?
A: Most kits bundle upper and lower manifold gaskets, throttle-body gasket, EGR tube seals, and sometimes injector O-rings so every joint you disturb is resealed. (felpro.com)

Q: Can I drive with a leaking gasket?
A: Short trips may be possible, but vacuum leaks can trigger limp-home mode, and coolant leaks risk engine damage; repair soon. (YouTube)

Q: Why do lean codes P0171/P0174 pop up together?
A: Both banks read too much air, pointing to a large central leak like the intake gasket or plenum O-rings. (JustAnswer)

Q: Is RTV silicone safe on modern gaskets?
A: Only tiny dabs (if the service manual calls for them) at coolant passage corners-extra sealant can squeeze into the intake and clog sensors. (felpro.com)

Q: How long does the repair take?
A: An experienced DIYer can finish in 3-4 hours on a 3.0 L Vulcan; the 3.5 L Ti-VCT with turbo plumbing may take 6 hours. (YouTube)

Q: Do I need new bolts?
A: Re-use is fine on the 3.0 L engines, but the 3.5 L uses torque-to-yield bolts that must be replaced once stretched. (ecoboostperformanceforum.com)

Q: What material lasts longest?
A: MLS gaskets resist blow-outs and stay flat longer than plain fiber or paper seals. (highwayandheavyparts.com)

Q: Will a bad intake gasket hurt my fuel economy?
A: Yes-un-metered air forces the computer to add fuel, dropping mileage by several miles per gallon. (waltsautoservice.com)

Q: Does the Taurus have any recalls for this gasket?
A: No formal recalls, but Ford issued service bulletins covering manifold gasket procedures and extended emissions warranties on certain 2017 models. (NHTSA)

Q: Can coolant in oil come only from the intake gasket?
A: On the Vulcan V-6, a corroded lower intake gasket is one of the most common paths for coolant into the crankcase. (Taurus Club)

With the right gasket set, proper torque, and a little patience, your Ford Taurus can breathe clean air, run smoother, and sip less fuel for years to come.