(w) '83 Rabbit - hole on top of my intake manifold

[Alex Miller]

I just got my '83 Rabbit GTI back from a 90K-mile major service.
The engine compartment was cleaned/degreased a little, and it was
easy for me to notice a 1/16" spot on the intake manifold, on top
of the runner leading to #2 cylinder. On closer examination, it
wasn't a spot, but A TINY HOLE. It was just large enough for me
to stick a coat hanger wire in it.

My engine is so noisy, that I can't say I noticed any vacuum leak
sounds when I drove it. And I didn't notice that my idle was
particularly low.

I covered the hole with a bit black "racers" tape, then started
the car to see how it ran. Now that I was paying attention, the
idle seemed much too low (around 400-500 rpm.)

I have a few questions:

(1) Do intake manifolds eventually get holes in them?

(2) Could this hole be caused by corrosion due to chemical cleaning?
I.E. - could the shop have leave strong cleaning agents on
the car for too long, or not washed them off properly, causing
this hole?

(3) Is there something I can use to seal up this hole?
The intake manifold probably gets hot - 300+degrees-F

thanks,

Alex
ami...@almaden.ibm.com

[Ralph C. Lindenfeld]

hole in intake manifold- If I recall correctly, the rabbit manifold is
cast aluminum.. or is it cast iron- at any rate, there's folks who can
weld either.
what I'd do is splooge a bit of high temp silicone gasket compound into
and around the hole, after cleaning thoroughly- then keep an eye on it.

Ralph Lindenfeld
1960 VW Panelvan