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Are LIM leaks on 2004 a problem?

L

Lowered04GTP

New member
I have an 04 GTP with 78K on it. Car is original with no modifications.

Lately, the car has been having an antifreeze odor for the past 2 weeks after you drive it and it comes up on temperature. You occasionally get a smell while driving with windows down, popping the hood while hot or parking in the garage. I have checked my oil, looked for signs of external leaks at water pump, radiator, intake, coolant elbows, overflow tank, radiator cap, and under the car. No visible signs of a leak. Also, it doesn't appear to be a heater core issue. I haven't had to add any antifreeze and the oil appears to normal. I have never noticed leaks on the floor of the garage after the car sits overnight. The car does not overheat and performance seems normal.

Does anyone know if the 04 model year GTP motors have the same lower intake manifold leak problem that I read about with earlier model years. I don't mind replacing if it will fix the problem but I haven't seen much on the board about newer models having this problem. Also, if this is the culprit, does anyone know a good place to get all the gaskets. I suspect I will need upper, lower, elbows, and T-stat to complete the work. I watched the video in the "how to" section and it was beneficial. I did notice that they also replaced lifters but not sure why. I was also considering replacing the water pump while the car is off the road.

If lower intake gasket failures aren't a problem on 04+ years, what other problems would cause the annoying smell. I am reluctant to start any modifications before resolving this problem. If I can smell it, it must be leaking somewhere.
 


AFAIK, the aluminum LIM gaskets did not even come out until 2005. I know our 2004 LeSabre had plastic (I replaced them)--although that also had the plastic UIM.

The aluminum LIM gaskets can be had at the dealer, or perhaps more easily at zzperformance.com or intense-racing.com

Everything else should be obtainable at local auto parts store or at rockauto.com
 
Based on the responses, it sounds like an LIM gasket change is in order. Does the alternator bracket and elbows need to come off for a LIM swap? It looks like the manifold may clear this bracket. However, I want to make sure I have all the parts needed when I start.

I'll check under the TB. Is this a common place for coolant to hide?

Thanks for the tip on the upgraded gaskets.
 


These definitely go bad on the 04's. I just fixed mine this past weekend and did my brothers 04 gt back a couple months ago.

You will have to take off the alternator because of the two plastic elbows that run to the heater core. You should replace them for good measure. They are only 4 bucks at AZ.

Be careful though with vacuum manifold on top of the charger though when pulling the vac hoses off. I went to pull the brake booster line off and.... POW, busted. You could just order a new one up front. they're like 8 bucks from the dealer.

Also check the rubber T connector for the vac line under the charger snout. Mine dried out so I replaced that too. It would be a good time to check all ur vacuum lines for rot.
 
Good point. I broke just about every vacuum line when I did my LIM. Replaced them all with new lines and car runs much better.
 
lol. atleast im not the only 1 that broke every vacuum line when i did my lim gaskets. i feel better now.
 
Thanks to all who gave me feedback and confirmation that this was a problem on my car. I finally got time to order the gaskets and installed them last weekend. Gaskets had failed on 3 of the 4 inner channels. Needless to say, I was glad I made the decision to do this before it became a bigger problem. I went ahead and changed the water pump while I had the car apart. Dropped to a 180 T-stat and pgraded to the aluminum intake gaskets. Ordered from ZZperformance and everything went well. Doing gaskets and water pump took about 7 hours at a relaxed pace. I have only had the car for about a month and took the time to get aquainted, ha, ha. Oh, I ended up breaking the plastic vacuum fitting that the brake booster plugs into on top of the SC.

Now that I feel comfortable with the top end, I can start adding modifications. I guess a pulley, CAI, and HPtuner are in store for spring.
 
Lowered04GTP said:
...Oh, I ended up breaking the plastic vacuum fitting that the brake booster plugs into on top of the SC.

Now that I feel comfortable with the top end, I can start adding modifications. I guess a pulley, CAI, and HPtuner are in store for spring.
Click to expand...

I told you that you would need one of those!! Haha... glad everything went alright for ya. Keep checking in if you need anymore help!!
 


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