Fed up with GM

[Forkman]

While I was checking my tires and oil yesterday, and filling my windshield washer fluid... I noticed that I had a leak from up lower intake manifold gasket. The same leak that the 3.1L and 3.4L have have problems with for the past 5+ years. I was hoping GM had fixed the problem with the gaskets by the '03 model year. My Buick only has 20,000 mi on it and the **** thing is weeping oil from the LIM gasket... never again will I buy a GM vehicle.

I knew I should have spent the extra $2,500 and went with the Regal with the 3800.

 

[benjamming]

I have a 94 Grand Am with the 3.1L & I had the intake manifold gasket leak as well. So it's more like 10 years. My take on it is that GM sees no reason to fix the problem b/c people keep buying a new broken vehicle.

 

[Forkman]

quote:

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A "new and improved" design gasket came out

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Yes I'm aware of that... GM supposedly redesigned the gasket to correct this problem... whether that gasket has actually made it to the production vehicles or is simply the gasket used if the orginal gasket goes bad is the question.

Many people on another forum I participate on http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/index.php which is Grand Am specific have had good luck with the aftermarket Fel-Pro manufactured gaskets.

quote:

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Since your vehicle is still under factory warranty I would try to get them to replace the intake gasket... GM pretty much wont do anything for you unless it is dripping all the way to the ground or causing a check engine light or performance issues

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No it will be getting fixed. The dealership I have my work done through always go to bat for their customers on warranty claims... which is why despite it being a small town dealership it is highly successful with many repeat customers. It won't be a question of if it will get fixed, just a question of when.

If I call on Mon., I ought to be able to get it in on Tues. Depending on whether they have the parts on hand or not, may possibly get it back on Tues afternoon or at the latest Wed. morning. Regardless, the dealership will provide a loaner car. They have 4 early 90s Olds and Buick loaner cars that they let repeat customers borrow when their vehilces are going to be in for a day or more for warranty work. They aren't in the greatest shape, but will get you from point A to point B... like I said they provide good service.

 

[JTK]

quote:

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Originally posted by Forkman:
..My Buick only has 20,000 mi on it and the **** thing is weeping oil from the LIM gasket...

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Sorry to hear about that. I've seen GM 3.1 & 3.4's go many, many miles with some oil weeping there. It is frustrating on a new vehicle though! GM pretty much wont do anything for you unless it is dripping all the way to the ground or causing a check engine light or performance issues

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G/luck
Joel

 

[jthorner]

Have you done an oil analysis to check for coolant in the oil?

Since your vehicle is still under factory warranty I would try to get them to replace the intake gasket.

A "new and improved" design gasket came out some time after our '02 van was built. I don't know if you '03 already has the "new and improved" or not .... and I don't know how good the N&I gasket is

.

John

 

[mikep]

I feel your pain. At 40,000 miles (2 years) my F150 started to "weep" oil from the right rear head gasket. All sorts of TSBs and "customer service bulletins" but no official campaign and this after 5 years of the same exact problem. Their solution is a $1500.00 gasket replacement

that according to others who have been through it, is only a temporary fix.

GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, Toyota...whoever....they're all the same. Just a matter of how good you feel after they've given you a royal reeming.

 

[Scott P]

I assisted (ok, undid a few bolts here and there) with a lower intake gasket replacement on 3.1 yesterday. They certainly make that sucker a pain to replace. You have to assemble almost the entire top half of the motor to get to that gasket. It took all day to get done and that was with plenty of help and a couple of knowledgeable guys working the wrenches.