Thread: Leaking intake manifold gasket

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  1. #1 Leaking intake manifold gasket 
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    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?
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  3. #3 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
    GTX Level Member 03GTPLE's Avatar
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    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).
    2003 White Grand Prix GTP Limited Edition
    - 3.4 pulley, tune by Boostd1/CLINT@AIR, Short Ram Intake, PLOG, 3" ZZP Downpipe, AL 104's, 180* t-stat, Impala STB & 12" cross drilled/slotted/zinc washed rotors, DDM HID's, and put in a heads up display for now...
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  4. #4 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
    GTX Level Member 03GTPLE's Avatar
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    so common, someone made a video of it. http://www.grandprixforums.net/lim_lifter_video.php
    2003 White Grand Prix GTP Limited Edition
    - 3.4 pulley, tune by Boostd1/CLINT@AIR, Short Ram Intake, PLOG, 3" ZZP Downpipe, AL 104's, 180* t-stat, Impala STB & 12" cross drilled/slotted/zinc washed rotors, DDM HID's, and put in a heads up display for now...
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  5. #5 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
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    If it's so common, why isn't it a TSB or a recall?
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  6. #6 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
    GTX Level Member 03GTPLE's Avatar
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    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.
    2003 White Grand Prix GTP Limited Edition
    - 3.4 pulley, tune by Boostd1/CLINT@AIR, Short Ram Intake, PLOG, 3" ZZP Downpipe, AL 104's, 180* t-stat, Impala STB & 12" cross drilled/slotted/zinc washed rotors, DDM HID's, and put in a heads up display for now...
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  7. #7 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
    GT Level Member Madness's Avatar
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    $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.
    Favorite Quote: You can't fix stupid!!


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gxKStPXyn8
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  8. #8 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
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    Yeah it leaks externally, left side of the manifold. It is dripping on my AC compressor.
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  9. #9 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
    GT Level Member Madness's Avatar
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    That could make it the upper intake gasket.
    Favorite Quote: You can't fix stupid!!


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gxKStPXyn8
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  10. #10 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
    Turbo is the way to go. BillBoost37's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Madness View Post
    That could make it the upper intake gasket.
    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 drink..so consider that when reading my posts.

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  11. #11 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
    SE Level Member grandprix85's Avatar
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    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
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  12. #12 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
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    Here's the recall info
    http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...ls/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..
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  13. #13 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
    Donating Users danielle15's Avatar
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    Wow. I got a steal on my LIM...$350 (improved gaskets, new elbows, coolant flush and an oil change)
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  14. #14 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
    The mod from over yonder TheOtherNick's Avatar
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    If only this thread was not almost a year old......
    01 gtp-big cam e85 dd 78dodge- guzzling fuel 05 cummins- rollin coal
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  15. #15 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheOtherNick View Post
    If only this thread was not almost a year old......
    sowwwyyy. I didnt look at the dates
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  16. #16 Re: Leaking intake manifold gasket 
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    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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