Should I get a 2nd opinion on repairs quoted?

[ltslimjim]

Hey, folks. My dad's 2001 S-10 4.3L has had a slow coolant leak for a while, even having a broken radiator replaced and some coolant was still being lost at one of the lines up top(cooler return line possibly?)...

Anyhow, he gets a quote from the Tires Plus store for $500+ to replace an intake gasket of some sort, that is allowing the coolant to leak. Whereas I was only aware of the leak up at the radiator itself. Any idea of what the gasket is in question?

I don't know much about his vehicle, but it hasn't lost enough to need any added coolant at a constant rate just because its in operation, but he's keeping a jug of Prestone etc on hand to stay topped off when necessary.

The store says they had to tighten this return line in question, a "quarter turn" and something along the lines of the o-ring perhaps needing replacing there?

Any advice or tips would be appreciated. The vehicle isn't back yet, and I'll try to get my pops to show me where the coolant is supposedly leaking elsewhere at this gasket along the intake.

 

[daman]

The gasket in question is the intake manifold gaskets,it's between the intake manifold and cylinder heads.

simple repair..

 

[ltslimjim]

Oh, I see what you mean. I don't know how I couldn't see that in my head. Well, I guess both sides need replacing as well. Not just the leaky one, to be safe?

 

[daman]

Correct,,always both are done..

i really recommend the Fel-pro Problem solver Perma-dry gasket set from NAPA or AAP,etc.

you'll repair it once..

 

[sciphi]

Lower intake gaskets are a headache on a Vortec 4.3 V6 because the distributor has to come off, and there's not much room to work in.

It's a "repair once and good for life" issue, especially with using the new-design gaskets.

 

[ltslimjim]

Ah, I'll check into it. Just pulling the manifold back, removing old gasket, and re-installing a new gasket along with this perma-dry from Fel-pro?

I don't have an engine bay or a lift. This may be too much for me to do at home, and my dad will probably resort to going by an independent shop. A few shops I know let me bring my own products in and they will actually use what I bring and only charge labor.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
Ah, I'll check into it. Just pulling the manifold back, removing old gasket, and re-installing a new gasket along with this perma-dry from Fel-pro?

I don't have an engine bay or a lift. This may be too much for me to do at home, and my dad will probably resort to going by an independent shop. A few shops I know let me bring my own products in and they will actually use what I bring and only charge labor.

UIM comes right off, both surfaces need thorough cleaning before reassemble,dist. needs to go back exactly how it came out or you'll get a cam timing code.

not a bad job for a DIY'er,do need to do some research if this is your fist one. weekend job taking your time.

 

[oilboy123]

Intake manifolds don't normally need any type of engine hoisting.

 

[ltslimjim]

I'll get a 2nd opinion on which IM gasket is leaking. If I can do the upper and that's the culprit, I may wind up doing it myself. From the sound of it, the lower is a pain to do?

Is there one for each side of the V6? An upper and a lower, on each side???

 

[daman]

It's not the upper composite plenum,it's the lower whole intake assembly.

 

[-Clayton-]

Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
I'll get a 2nd opinion on which IM gasket is leaking. If I can do the upper and that's the culprit, I may wind up doing it myself. From the sound of it, the lower is a pain to do?

Is there one for each side of the V6? An upper and a lower, on each side???


It wont be the upper it doesn't have coolant flowing through it. The lower gasket leaking is a very common problem on those.

 

[ltslimjim]

Ok, thanks for clarifying guys. Will update on how things go.

 

[daman]

Good luck if you do it your self just take your time and pay attention to detail.

 

[ltslimjim]

I searched for the fel pro kit. Does it look like this one comes with everything I need, upper and lower?

P/N is MS98002T

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail....014022+5999999#

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/F...ier=703096_0_0_

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/FEL0/MS98002T.oap?keyword=ms98002t

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: ltslimjim
I searched for the fel pro kit. Does it look like this one comes with everything I need, upper and lower?

P/N is MS98002T

http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail....014022+5999999#

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/F...ier=703096_0_0_

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/FEL0/MS98002T.oap?keyword=ms98002t

Yes sir!

that's the only kit i've every used OR will use,i've never had a comeback with the problem solver perma dry gasket.

make sure a high temp loc tight(red) is used on all the intake bolts(going in the heads).

 

[RnR]

Hmmm... are you sure about the Red loctite? The how-to guides I've run across in reference to the 3800 leak repairs, all spec the Blue.

 

[daman]

Originally Posted By: RnR
Hmmm... are you sure about the Red loctite? The how-to guides I've run across in reference to the 3800 leak repairs, all spec the Blue.

Red is high temp 500deg,,you don't want them bolts backing out(loose).