Intake gaskets on a 2003 Grand Am were replaced on a 3.4 motor only 2 or 3 yrs ago at about 63 K , used brand name made in USA gaskets, now intake gaskets are leaking again with just 85K with coolant in oil. Everything was torqued to spec in sequence and specified thread sealant used. It compression checked ok , then I put air in all the cylinders with the rockers arms removed , pinched off air bleed hoses to top of degas bottle and no rise in coolant level or air bubbles seen in the the cooling system. I am doing the timing cover gasket this time around.
I did these on a Buick Century 3.1 that was fine for several months until the hollow cam shaft cracked at the rear 2 cylinders and ran on 4 cylinders without oil pressure. I think GM used the 3.1 that got a bad reputation, bored it out to a 3.4 and presented it as a different engine. SSDD Same Sh@t Different Displacement, now I think its a 3.5 covered with plastic to hide any resemblance to it's predecessors .Do I need to relieve myself of my MGD into an empty GL5 bottle and bring the coolant up to Farfiggnuegen Spec or what, what's with these things?
Update, Well I got a complete Dorman intake manifold gasket set this time around that I'm going to try with the later style steel and rubber composite construction, including new lower intake bolts precoated with thread locker sealant.The gaskets being replaced are thick plastic and rubber construction and same style as the original ones albiet they did have a steel compression limiting insert on each end. Intake manifold surface and head ports checked ok with straight edge.
I did these on a Buick Century 3.1 that was fine for several months until the hollow cam shaft cracked at the rear 2 cylinders and ran on 4 cylinders without oil pressure. I think GM used the 3.1 that got a bad reputation, bored it out to a 3.4 and presented it as a different engine. SSDD Same Sh@t Different Displacement, now I think its a 3.5 covered with plastic to hide any resemblance to it's predecessors .Do I need to relieve myself of my MGD into an empty GL5 bottle and bring the coolant up to Farfiggnuegen Spec or what, what's with these things?
Update, Well I got a complete Dorman intake manifold gasket set this time around that I'm going to try with the later style steel and rubber composite construction, including new lower intake bolts precoated with thread locker sealant.The gaskets being replaced are thick plastic and rubber construction and same style as the original ones albiet they did have a steel compression limiting insert on each end. Intake manifold surface and head ports checked ok with straight edge.
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