Question about Intake Manifold Gaskets

[Ilmater]

So basically, if you bought a Grand Am/Grand Prix/Monte Carlo between 2000 and 2004, your intake manifold gasket probably fails around 75k.

My question is, has anyone heard of people that specialize in servicing these engines? I mean, everyone I know with those cars has had to replace theirs, so surely someone came up with specials for those people, right?

How much should I expect to pay for that service?

 

[fbrdphreak]

Seems like it has the standard 3400 that was used in like half of all GM cars - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_60-Degree_V6_engine#LA1

You don't need a "specialist." You need someone with half a brain who can take apart the fuel rail and intake manifold to get to your manifold gasket. It will rape you in labor, it won't be a short process.

 

[Ernie99]

I have a 2001 Malibu which suffered from the intake gasket issue. I opted to do the job myself. A lot of things must come off in order to do this job so I would say six to eight hours of labor charge would not be out of the question, but an mechanic experienced with the procedure could do it in less time. It is not a "difficult" job by any means.

I would not sweat it until you notice symptoms of gasket failure. When the gasket fails, coolant will leak either into the engine or out of the engine (underneath the thermostat housing). Check your oil regularly to see if it has turned a milky color (which would indicate an internal coolant leak). My problem was an external leak, and I let it go for a few months while I debated on what to do.

Make sure the gasket is replaced with a quality metal/rubber gasket (I used a kit made by FelPro). It is also a good time to change other things (drive belt, thermostat, spark plugs)

Good Luck,

Ernie

 

[overst33r]

I'm just counting the days until it fails on my parents' 2002 Impala...

 

[RU482]

From what I've read, it takes the better part of a Saturday afternoon, a twelve pack, and a manual to replace the gasket

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
Seems like it has the standard 3400 that was used in like half of all GM cars - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_60-Degree_V6_engine#LA1

You don't need a "specialist." You need someone with half a brain who can take apart the fuel rail and intake manifold to get to your manifold gasket. It will rape you in labor, it won't be a short process.

Also to add to this is that the 60degree GM motors had the pushrods go through the intake gasket. Not sure if that changed with the newwer 60degree motors but back in the day they did. So you could not just pop off the intake and fuel rail and swap some gaskets. It was get to the gaskets then take all the pushrods out and then gasket then back together.


Also not all cars had this problem. It was much mroe common but not on all. And 75k might be for some but i have seen some go bad as little as 30k and some cars just keep going and going without problem.