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Leaking intake manifold gasket

E

egloskerry

New member
98 GP GT, 125k, stock everything. I have been losing coolant for a long time, and I think I finally found out why: a leak in the intake manifold gasket. Is this common on the 97-03's? Will a sealant fix this, or do I need to take it to a mechanic? Ballpark estimate?
 


yes, it's common for the lower intake manifold to leak. Sealant won't fix it. I think I was quoted $5-600 by a mechanic. I did it myself though. You can always just call your local mechanic and aske them for an estimate over the phone. They get thier prices and times out of books (well, it's all automated now.... same principle though).
 
It has a tsb out on it as far as I remember...... GM is definately aware of it, they redesigned the gaskets to aluminum and rubber vs the original plastic stuff. since it's not a "safety" issue, so they didn't recall it.
 


$500 in the Minneapolis area last spring. If you don't see coolant leaking externally, it is mixing with the oil and can spin a bearing. Get it fixed, it is not to bad of a job but I did not have time to do it myself. Look for coolant under your oil cap. You will probably see drops of antifreeze on the bottom.
 
Madness said:
That could make it the upper intake gasket.
Click to expand...

Sorry, it can't be. The only coolant in the upper manifolds is from teh coolant ports on the drivers side end of the manifold that go upward turn 90 degrees and into the throttle body. These are a classic symptoms of the bolts on the LIM not being sealed any longer and fluid wicking up the bolt or the coolant elbow beginning to leak. Both will be replaced when changing the LIM's and sealing the bolts with a PTFE sealant or RTV.

I would suggest triple checking the UIM as well. They like to fail in the EGR/coolant port area from the expansion/contraction with heat cycles.
 
I just had my intake manifold gasket changed about 2 months ago. It cost me about $625 at a local repair shop. They included a oil change and a coolant flush with the replacement of the intake gasket
 


Here's the recall info
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/results.cfm
However mine was supposedly fixed in 09 and is causing me problems again. Pontiac said if it is causing problems after the recall is fixed they wont do anything unless the vehicle is under warranty. I asked them about the windshiel wipers too, but that said that's not safety related....really? hmm...lets think about that one, it was invented as a safety measure and there's a pretty hefty ticket at least in illinois without them..
 
So I wanted to give an update. This is a sad story, so get some tissues ready.

I did take it in, and both the upper and lower manifold, and the gasket on the lower had to be replaced. The metal had actually been eaten away by the coolant. Came out to $1260.

About a week ago it spun a bearing, and there is a horrible knocking sound, so the engine is pretty much shot. The car is finally dead. I wish it hadn't come so soon after such an expensive repair. Weird thing was, there was no coolant leaking into the engine, no foam in the oil, no oil in the coolant, etc.

If I had some land, I'd put the thing up on blocks and part it out, as there's a rebuilt tranny and new rack on it, both within the last three years. It will end up as a trade-in and I'm sure the dealer will junk it.

You guys have been helpful during the time I've been here, so I did want to thank you.
 


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