Hopefully the picture uploads, I'm on my phone. I did my lower intake manifold gaskets and water pump this weekend on my 2000 4x4 Blazer with 105k miles. I've had several Blackstone reports in a row with trace amounts of coolant identified and intake manifold gaskets are a very well documented issue so when the water pump started blowing out coolant on Friday I decided to just bite the bullet and do the whole mess at once. I expected to find plainly failing factory gaskets and nothing else however...the gaskets did not appear to be in bad shape and possibly were not the factory gaskets (the flats of the block in the lifter valley were sealed with some sort of gray/tan RTV). I stuck new PermaDry ones in there and left it to seal, hopefully it actually was the gasket leaking slowly. The perturbing thing I found was this small purple shaft seal or boot of some kind, it was just sitting down in the lifter valley in between 2 push rods. I couldnt figure out where it came from, so I reassembled and left the rtv to cure before refilling fluids and attempting to start. Before I hit the starter and possibly do damage in case this indicates a bigger failure...what the heck is this thing and where did it come from? I suspect it is from somewhere inside the motor, but I'd also gladly entertain the thought that it was sitting on the back of the manifold outside the engine and fell in when I lifted the manifold out.

 

0

 

I don't recognize it, and I have a 2001 4.3 that I have worked on a lot. Maybe left in there by last person who changed intake gaskets? I wouldn't sweat it.

 

That is a boot off of a Delphi round female terminal end. Must have just fallen in when engined was opened up.

 

 

As soon as you said that I had a "Duh" moment, not sure why I didn't recognize it at first. I don't remember seeing any connectors that were missing a boot when I plugged them back in but I'll admit it was late at night. I'll probably hunt around to see if I can find where it came from and put it back on. The people on this forum constantly impress me. Thank you very much!

 

Glad to share what I have learned over the 40+ years. And still learning everyday.