I scoured the FSM and forums, but could not find an answer. Was hoping that someone can chime in here.

The Throttle Body Gasket (PN N3A1-13-655) is almost symmetrical except for a distinct "notch" on the top corner. Both faces of the gasket are not identical as one side is "indented". The design allows for it to be installed both ways. One is the incorrect way.

With referencing the notch, what is the correct orientation that the gasket should be installed in? The notch towards the rear of the car or the notch towards the front of the car?

 

Doesn't matter. It gets squeezed by flat surfaces on each side.

 

I think one of the passages at the bottom has a raised lip to seal and the other one doesn't. That needs to go around the air passageway that goes to the ISC if memory serves.

Dale

 

Pretty sure that protrusion is just for gasket identification to verify that there is one installed. It's like a flag saying a gasket is installed here. A lot of the 90s Japanese gaskets throughout manufacturers have this kind of feature. The flag should be visible but realistically, it doesn't matter if its firewall side or oil neck side.

 

Dale is correct, there is a small difference in the size of the passages, so you get a leak if the gasket is backwards

 

Interesting. I must have gotten very lucky over the years