In automotive engineering, an inlet manifold or intake manifold is the part of an engine that supplies the fuel/air mixture to the cylinders. The word manifold refers to the folding together of multiple inputs and outputs.

An intake manifold gasket is a malleable material that is set between the air intake manifold, the cylinder heads and the block in a gasoline powered internal combustion engine. Intake manifold gaskets prevent leakage of air or the air-fuel mixture by sealing the gap between these various metal engine parts.

The intake manifold gasket must be able to withstand this constant change in air pressure. All gasket material has to be Flexible and easily adaptable.

A leaking intake manifold gasket will contribute to poor fuel economy, higher emissions and poor engine performance. The typical automobile engine runs on a stringently controlled air-fuel ratio. The intake manifold gasket, in conjunction with such mechanisms as the intake valve and the fuel injector computer, maintains that ultimate ratio. Should any of these components begin to fail, the vehicle’s gas mileage decreases, its gaseous emissions increase and eventually the engine stops running altogether.

Every auto part is directly responsible for the other components in a vehicle. Without the intake manifold, which is the avenue through which the engine mixture travels along, internal combustion is not possible. With an unsuccessful combustion that may be due of an uneven distribution of engine mixture results to a low or no production of horsepower. These ugly scenarios further illustrate how important the intake manifold is for the engine system and for an efficient vehicle operation. Thus, it is not just advisable for car owners to check the condition of their intake manifolds, it is absolutely necessary.

The proper distribution of air into the cylinders is obviously very important to the efficient operation of the engine.