Trying to figure this out for my mom. She has an 02 Buick century that has apparently been leaking coolant. They took it to pep boys and they say they found traces of oil in the coolant and are saying that it needs an intake manifold gasket? Would this be correct? I was thinking about doing this for her to save her some money. Think what pep boys said would be correct? I know the gm 60* blocks like to eat manifold gaskets .
'02 Buick century symptoms
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My dad has a buick with the 3800 series v6. He had to change in intake gasket as its common with that motor. (What he was told).
This was around 160k miles.
This was around 160k miles.
I want to say this is a 3.1 or a 3.4 motor
sounds right. I changed one in an afternoon....
The GM 60 degree v-6 is notorious for intake manifold gaskets, and head gaskets. Both 3100 and 3400, My 3.1L malibu suffered a minor intake gasket leak, luckily outward, not inward as there has never been a trace of coolant in the oil, the problem is well known and can be blamed upon GM's decision to use dex cool coolant. I manage to repair mine with Bar's leak copper, and that was 10K miles ago, and still no signs of leakage.
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I would have the head gaskets replaced at the same time, I can't remember how many times a 3.1 or 3.4 had a head gasket failure soon after intake gasket failure.
One of the most notoriously bad engines of the 90s and early 2000s.
One of the most notoriously bad engines of the 90s and early 2000s.
I agree 100% with artificialist. It happened to me. I had an internal coolant leak. Had both the upper and lower Intake Manifold Gaskets replaced. Two months later it happened again. I had to have the Head Gaskets replaced. For the Head Gasket replacement the dealer used a kit that included everything from new Valve Cover gaskets to Exhaust Manifold gaskets and yep you guessed it, the Intake Manifold gaskets again! If they had done the heads in the first place I would have saved a lot of money! I don't believe dexcool caused any of that. It was the cheap gaskets GM used.
Sounds fun. hopefully my mom will allow me to do it, i'm pretty sure with my new found mechanical knowledge. Least i don't have to time any cams hah.
Originally Posted By: Nephets
Sounds fun. hopefully my mom will allow me to do it, i'm pretty sure with my new found mechanical knowledge. Least i don't have to time any cams hah.
Not a job for an amatuer in my opinion, bring it to a trusted mechanic, preferably one that has done a few.
To do it correctly you must use the improved intake manifold gasket kit, I found the Fel-Pro kit better than the AC-Delco. Ideally, new lower intake bolts should be used along with revised torque specs, (this part is important). Sometimes the lower aluminium intake has erosion around the coolant passages, this must be repaired or will leak again. I used J-B weld, let it cure overnight then sand flush.
There is more, such as cleaning the throttle body and EGR passages, new injector o-rights, etc, but suffice it to say its not a simple job, if you want it done right, and I've never had a head gasket fail.
If you insist on doing it yourself get an experienced friend to help and budget at least two days so you can take your time.
Sounds fun. hopefully my mom will allow me to do it, i'm pretty sure with my new found mechanical knowledge. Least i don't have to time any cams hah.
Not a job for an amatuer in my opinion, bring it to a trusted mechanic, preferably one that has done a few.
To do it correctly you must use the improved intake manifold gasket kit, I found the Fel-Pro kit better than the AC-Delco. Ideally, new lower intake bolts should be used along with revised torque specs, (this part is important). Sometimes the lower aluminium intake has erosion around the coolant passages, this must be repaired or will leak again. I used J-B weld, let it cure overnight then sand flush.
There is more, such as cleaning the throttle body and EGR passages, new injector o-rights, etc, but suffice it to say its not a simple job, if you want it done right, and I've never had a head gasket fail.
If you insist on doing it yourself get an experienced friend to help and budget at least two days so you can take your time.
I may not be a seasoned mechanic, but I know my way around the engine bay with wrenches and torque wrenches. I'd be budgeting at least 3 days if not 4 to do it right.
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