Thread: 2004 GP-GT2... blown intake manifold, overheating, etc

So last night I hop on the highway to head to a business meeting. As I'm merging on the freeway, I punch the accellerator to the floor (duh!) take it up to about 80, find my spot in the traffic flow, settle in at about 75. I smell coolant and wonder if it's my car or someone else's. Turn on the A/C and damn, it's mine. Keep an eye on the temp, it keeps creeping up, getting close to redline. I was able to make it to the meeting okay, and an hour and a half later I come out, pop the hood, and take a look. Coolant is sprayed everywhere. Resivoir is about empty. (Just flush-and-filled last fall.) It had cooled off enough for me to drive it, so I figured I'd head a mile down the road and pick up some coolant. Didn't get that far before the "HIGH COOLANT TEMP" alarm came on. Killed the engine immediately and coasted to a stop. Walked, picked up some coolant, came back and filled it up. Turned it on, temp was at 50%, and started to drive and I heard this rattle that sounded like a diesel for about 5 seconds, but it went away after I let off the gas. Came back a little but mostly went away. Made it as far as a Midas (that was closed) and called my brother in law to pick me up. With the rattle I figured it was the water pump. (I'm at 112k miles).

They called and said it was the intake manifold (didn't specify upper or lower). Too far away from home to tow it, and I don't have the 7-8 hours right now to do it myself. So $700+ Ouch.

So what I'm wondering is:

1. Would a blown intake manifold cause the coolant spray or would I be something else? I didn't notice any leak when I topped it off and started it up.
2. WTH was that rattle? Just knocking from coolant getting into the fuel-air mix?
3. Was the 2004 model year one of the ones with the plastic gasket? Are all the new ones metal?
4. Is it possible it was going bad before I gunned the engine and blew it completely? Or should I just go a little easier on the accelerator? I don't have any performance mods, so one would think the 3800 would be able to operate within spec without blowing a gasket.
5. Any chance there's any additional damage?

Thanks!

With overheating, there is always a chance for additional damage. The intake could be, but I'd gander at the elbows first. They r more likely to cause spraying. Unfortunately, with the distance, unless u have aaa, the towing would be killer lol.

I'm in Columbus, but I'm booked up for the next 3 weeks and need the car, so I'm just paying to get it fixed. Appreciate all the offers for help though!

dsmuts, you're in Coldwater? Damn what a small world. My brother in law lives in Coldwater, and his aunt used to live there. You know the Reicherts or Biersacks?

You work at the hospital? My brother in law is a doctor.