GM 3.1/3.4 Intake Gaskets

I'm well aware of the troublesome reputation of the intake gaskets on
these engines.

Would it be wise to replace the lower intake gaskets on a '99 3.1
as a preventative measure, or do some of these engines actually live
to a ripe old age without spitting-out the gaskets?? No signs of
coolant leaks yet (97k miles).

Regards, Al.

170k on my 97 Lumina, never done, just watch for coolant loss very
carefully.
"Al Haunts" <haunts@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
news:cumqp0tsm0hvp28ver5mcdmflbom87db0l@4ax.com...
> I'm well aware of the troublesome reputation of the intake gaskets on
> these engines.
>
> Would it be wise to replace the lower intake gaskets on a '99 3.1
> as a preventative measure, or do some of these engines actually live
> to a ripe old age without spitting-out the gaskets?? No signs of
> coolant leaks yet (97k miles).
>
> Regards, Al.
>




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350k on my 90 Corscia nevr done. Still running fine.

"Shep" <djsljsrn@capital.net> wrote in message
news:419e8cb2$1_3@127.0.0.1...
> 170k on my 97 Lumina, never done, just watch for coolant loss very
> carefully.
> "Al Haunts" <haunts@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
> news:cumqp0tsm0hvp28ver5mcdmflbom87db0l@4ax.com...
>> I'm well aware of the troublesome reputation of the intake gaskets on
>> these engines.
>>
>> Would it be wise to replace the lower intake gaskets on a '99 3.1
>> as a preventative measure, or do some of these engines actually live
>> to a ripe old age without spitting-out the gaskets?? No signs of
>> coolant leaks yet (97k miles).
>>
>> Regards, Al.
>>
>
>
>
>
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> News==----
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If you check your coolant regularly; maintain the proper coolant level
and make sure that the radiator cap is the proper type and is
functioning properly, you shouldn't have any problems. Many GM dealers
are now advising customers to have a flush & fill done on DexCool
systems at the 5 yr/50,000 mile mark.


The problem with those engines begins with impurities in the coolant
that cause corrosion on the intake gaskets which in turn causes them to
leak. Watch for "gunk" to form on the inside of the radiator cap and in
the coolant recovery tank and if you see this, take it to a dealer ASAP
to have the system flushed and clean DexCool re-installed.


Some people will tell you to flush the system and replace it with
regular anti-freeze - DON'T. If you do this, you must be absolutely
certain that you remove every trace of DexCool from the system or you
will only create a problem where none may have existed before.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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traffic - the quick and the dead.
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Climbing into a hot car is like buckling on a pistol. It is the great
equalizer. ~ Henry G. Felsen 1964 ~

Rich B wrote:

> If you check your coolant regularly; maintain the proper coolant level
> and make sure that the radiator cap is the proper type and is
> functioning properly, you shouldn't have any problems. Many GM dealers
> are now advising customers to have a flush & fill done on DexCool
> systems at the 5 yr/50,000 mile mark.
>
not quite enough. Ours had to be replaced well before 50k and I checked the
coolant level at least every other weekend and topped off as needed. That
is how I first noticed the leaking, I had to add coolant a couple times so
I knew it was going somewhere.

Al Haunts <haunts@cogeco.ca> writes:

>I'm well aware of the troublesome reputation of the intake gaskets on
>these engines.

>Would it be wise to replace the lower intake gaskets on a '99 3.1
>as a preventative measure, or do some of these engines actually live
>to a ripe old age without spitting-out the gaskets?? No signs of
>coolant leaks yet (97k miles).

>Regards, Al.

-----------------------------
My 99 Century with 59,000 miles on it had the coolant level (cold)
drop about 3/16" below cold line, but appeared to be clean. When I
removed the cap, the level was down a couple of inches, and there was
muddy goop around the neck of the filler. I suspected that a gasket
leak might prevent the vacuum from pulling enough coolant back as
the engine cooled. (I had never added any coolant).
I had 75-month, 7-yr extended warranty, but always "never seemed
to apply", so I was expecting to be disappointed again.....but when I
mentioned that I was aware of the horror stories on the web, and
reminded them that they might end up putting in a new engine, they
agreed to do the job on the intake-manifold gasket etc, but they still
managed to charge an additional $200. I thought everything should
have come with the job, except that the warranty might have been
$100 deductible. (This was at the Buick dealer).

"Al Haunts" <haunts@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
news:cumqp0tsm0hvp28ver5mcdmflbom87db0l@4ax.com...
> I'm well aware of the troublesome reputation of the intake gaskets on
> these engines.
>
> Would it be wise to replace the lower intake gaskets on a '99 3.1
> as a preventative measure, or do some of these engines actually live
> to a ripe old age without spitting-out the gaskets?? No signs of
> coolant leaks yet (97k miles).
>
> Regards, Al.
>

Spend $20 on an oil analysis at least once per year to catch the
contamination before it becomes visible.

These guys are the ones I use:

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

John