Ford: 2000 Ford Explorer Manifold Gasket, intake manifold gasket, water temperatures

Question
Thanks for you help. Just one more question, if the overheating is due to the intake manifold gasket, was it necessary to replace the thermostat last week? Would the replacement of the manifold gasket fixed the problem?  Basically, I am wondering if the replacement of the thermostat was for naught?!??  Please advise.
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Followup To
Question -
I have a 2000 ford explorer xlt - my dealership just informed me that my check engine light is on because i need a new manifold gasket.  what is it, what does it do, and do i have to have it repaired right away?  I just had the thermostat replaced last week because the gage was moving toward the "H" and the check gage light was coming on.  Could these two things be related?
Please advise
Answer -
Marsha,

The check engine light does not come on when you need a new manifold gasket. If you have a bad intake manifold gasket, it will cause your  vehicle to over heat, which will cause the check engine light to come on. If the gasket is extremely bad  it will cause white smoke to come from the exhaust pipe and is usually accompanied, in extreme situations with water leaking from the exhaust pipe as well. I would recommend that you take your vehicle to another repair shop for a second opinion as the only way that I would change the intake manifold gasket is if your vehicle was overheating, with water temperatures in excess of normal running conditions or your vehicle exhibits the symptoms that I have indicated here. To replace that gasket will cost in the 500-600 dollar range complete with labor. I hesitate to say that you are being taken but it sounds rather fishy that they say that your check engine light is on because you need a new manifold gasket. I hope that this helps and if you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Good luck.



Ken

Answer
Marsha,

If the intake manifold gasket is bad, then yes more than likely the replacement of the thermostat was for naught BUT it did not hurt anythingand by comparison would have been a cheap fix, if that had been the problem. If the gasket was indeed bad, in my opinion it was very foolish to change the thermostat if that was not the problem. Hope that this helps and if you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Good luck.

Ken