LIM Question

[CTRIDER]

OK my wife just got back from the dealer to have the recall valve cover gasket done. They also did a 27 point check on the car and found that it needs an LIM. I have already done this once about 50-60K miles ago (fel-pro gaskets). I just watched the tutorial vid in the how to section and read the thread (great job on the vid btw). I read towards the end of the thread that the plastic gaskets (which I used at the time) only last about 50K. Is that right? My question is what is the best brand to use so I dont have to do this again? I read that there is an aluminum set out there. Does anyone have the part number and or brand? I plan on tearing this thing down this weekend and doing it. Also while I am in there I will be doing a complete tune up. I suppose I should do the rear valve cover also. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated. She is going to be driving this car from Connecticut to Oklahoma in a couple weeks and want to be sure everything is tip top before she hits the road. It is a 2000 GTP with 128K.

[SuperSport]

Go to a Chevy dealer, (or any dealer that sold a 3.8 at the time) and ask for part number 89017825. They are aluminum framed LIM gaskets. They appear to be very beefy, and these gaskets are what GM started using in the 05 model year 3.8's.

I just picked up my aluminum LIM gaskets from the dealer yeaterday, and they had them in stock. As far as I know, no aftermarket company makes aluminum LIM gaskets yet.

Good Luck.

[CTRIDER]

Thanks supersport. I will have the wife track that part down today.

[gpbastard]

Dex-cool eat's up those plastic composite factory gaskets as well. I had the LIM gasket replaced in my 2001 Gp w/ a 3.1L with the Fel-pro.
I replaced the Dex-cool with a universal coolant and had the thermostat replaced and now the heater (i'm in minnesota) cooks.....

[CrazyGuy03]

FELPRO SUCKS get the aluminum ones at ZZP or DEALER I got mine from ZZP DONT USE RTV or anything on them. If you get the LIM kit from ZZP it will come with REVISED side LIM pieces it has an extra lip on it to seal better You do still have to put a dab of sealant in those 4 corners only

hope that helps

[matt5112]

Felpro has aluminum ones now, my shop ordered some and installed 'em on an 04.

I think they're only listed for the 04+ though.

[CTRIDER]

Did it this weekend. Used aluminum set from dealer. Went pretty well. Its my second time doing it so I kinda knew it was a day long thing. How anyone did it in 33 minutes is unbelievable. I guess if you have done it several times it would be quicker. But I took my time and cleaned everything while I was in there. Also changed the water pump while I was that far in. Only problem was I broke 2 of the vacuum lines. Replacements will be in tomorrow. Runs a little rough at idle but it seems to be ok and no leaks. Definately should run well once vacuums are back on. Now the hubs and CV axels I started this afternoon those are being a pain. Finally got the 3 hub bolts loose (they were in there tight!). But the CV axel came apart at the inner boot and left the part that slides into the tranny still in there. Anyone got any good tricks on getting that out? I have tried a pry bar against the frame and tried to pop it out but no luck. Although I didnt fight it very long. It was getting dark and I am getting to old to fight cars like I used to! I have tomorrow off so I will fight it in the morning.

[silverstreak]

They didnt do it in 33 mins lol. Their was some editing.

[Spartan GL]

FELPRO SUCKS get the aluminum ones at ZZP or DEALER I got mine from ZZP DONT USE RTV or anything on them. If you get the LIM kit from ZZP it will come with REVISED side LIM pieces it has an extra lip on it to seal better You do still have to put a dab of sealant in those 4 corners only

hope that helps

I got the Rubber dealer replacement one (80$) ish

and i used Copper RTV on the Corners and it sealed just fine!

[TheOtherNick]

What and the hell would you use copper RTV on an intake?

[silverstreak]

Overkill but it will work fine.

[gpbastard]

FELPRO SUCKS get the aluminum ones at ZZP or DEALER I got mine from ZZP DONT USE RTV or anything on them. If you get the LIM kit from ZZP it will come with REVISED side LIM pieces it has an extra lip on it to seal better You do still have to put a dab of sealant in those 4 corners only

hope that helps

Instead of just saying "FELPRO SUCKS" why don't you explain what's wrong or defective with them so others can learn. Fair enough.

[matt5112]

Instead of just saying "FELPRO SUCKS" why don't you explain what's wrong or defective with them so others can learn. Fair enough.

they're plastic?

[CrazyGuy03]

um whats wrong? they are the ones that failed in the first place?! = )

[gpbastard]

they're plastic?

"they're plastic" is old and outdated information. That was true up to about 2004 but have since been redesigned and are now metal. Here's the link:Fel-Pro Introduces Solution to Intake Manifold Gasket Leaks on Millions of Vehicles
Also the organic acid technology or OAT in the Dex-Cool was part of the problem as well. I use a universal coolant along with the redesigned Felpro gasket in my car and forsee having no problems at all...

[matt5112]

Go to your parts lookup, and see if the second felpro design for 97-03 cars is metal or plastic.

I know the second design for the 04+ is metal, but not the 97-03.

And that link is for vortec 305's and 350's as well as the 4300, 3100, 3400. No mention of the 3800... Which isn't a chevy engine, unlike the others mentioned here....

[SuperSport]

Go to your parts lookup, and see if the second felpro design for 97-03 cars is metal or plastic.

I know the second design for the 04+ is metal, but not the 97-03.

And that link is for vortec 305's and 350's as well as the 4300, 3100, 3400. No mention of the 3800... Which isn't a chevy engine, unlike the others mentioned here....

Exactly.

I don't see what is so hard by just going to the Dealer and asking for Aluminum LIM gaskets...

That guy must work for Felpro.

[gpbastard]

Go to your parts lookup, and see if the second felpro design for 97-03 cars is metal or plastic.

I know the second design for the 04+ is metal, but not the 97-03.

And that link is for vortec 305's and 350's as well as the 4300, 3100, 3400. No mention of the 3800... Which isn't a chevy engine, unlike the others mentioned here....

I had this done about a year ago at Midas muffler for my 3.1L 2001 GP. The gasket was updated back in 2004 so any Felpro LIM gasket purchased after that date has the updated design. Sorry for any confusion on this guy's. I just want to be as accurate as possible so others can learn. I don't work for Felpro (I'm a UPS driver). I haven't heard of any problems with the updated Felpro LIM gasket so I feel they that if anyone buy's them and installs them correctly they should be good to go. I would recommend people flush out there Dex-cool (unless their car is under warranty) and put in some universal coolant instead. In no way shape or form should people keep Dex-cool in for 5 years or 150,000 miles like GM recommends. Who wants to take a chance on Dex-cool potentially eating up there new gasket. It's not a chance i'm willing to take...

[matt5112]

The 3800 one isn't updated.

That is all...

Universal coolant is basically dex cool without a GM stamp on it.

[QUICKSILVER462]

The problem with the original plastic gasket is that there is small expansion joint on each side large water port, this expansion joint becomes weak and breaks, from what? EXPANDING! And this is where they start leaking. The o-ring around each port no longer has any support so it squeezes out any way it wants too. Whoever designed these gaskets have no idea what they are doing. Now the new fel-pro plastic gasket does not have this expansion joint, they should last indefinetly if installed correctly. Dexcol or whatever it is, does nothing to the plastic itself, I don't care who says what.