Intake gasket

[pv-camaro]

hi,

I was reading something on the internet about the reliable 3.8V6 engine,

http://montecarloforum.com/forum/gen...c-buick-26769/

The only thing i was wondering, there are a few possible problems with these 3.8V6 engines.

They are talking about an plastic intake gasket witch will cause coolant leaking, which can be solved bij a revised OEM gasket (service call 2004)

I have a 2001 3.8V6 Camaro, do they have this issue too, or is it just with an Monte Carlo ?

[PalmHarbor]

Re: Intake gasket

I had a bad intake gasket and even after it was replaced, the car overheated I threw a rod and had to get a used engine. I have a 2000 3.8. I had 115K miles.

[ssms5411]

Re: Intake gasket

The new ones out are alm. and suppose to be alot better.

[WarShrike]

Re: Intake gasket

Yours has the plastic gaskets. The aluminum ones are the problem solver gaskets and are better construction. If you aren't leaking right now, don't worry about it. But you could buy the gaskets ahead of time and replace them once the problem pops up. Be sure to use some teflon paste on the intake bolts so you don't have seepage and use the black RTV/Silicone on the corners really well where the LIM gaskets meet the valley gasket.

Part number is: MS 98014 T by Fel Pro


They look like this installed:

[pv-camaro]

Re: Intake gasket

hi Warshrike,

Thanks for the info, is this a common problem for this engine, and will every 3.8V6 have to deal with this problem ?

In the Netherlands (where i live) we don't have much Camaro's, and the problem with these gaskets never showed up on the Dutch Car Forums.

I replace the DEXcool every 2 years, and the fluid (what comes out) is nice and clear, and i don't had to add fluid in the system.
Hopely i don't get this problem.

[ssms5411]

Re: Intake gasket

I'm sure you'll be fine , just don't over heat.

[pace2006]

Re: Intake gasket

Yours has the plastic gaskets. The aluminum ones are the problem solver gaskets and are better construction. If you aren't leaking right now, don't worry about it. But you could buy the gaskets ahead of time and replace them once the problem pops up. Be sure to use some teflon paste on the intake bolts so you don't have seepage and use the black RTV/Silicone on the corners really well where the LIM gaskets meet the valley gasket.

Part number is: MS 98014 T by Fel Pro
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...d/100_0992.jpg

They look like this installed:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...d/100_0993.jpg

I'm about to tackle replacing the LIM gasket in my car and this is just what I've been looking for. As far as UIM and valve covers, are generic Fel-Pro gaskets fine or is there a specific recommendation for those?

[ssms5411]

Re: Intake gasket

Fel Pro is fine for UIM and valve covers its what went in mine last year,

[WarShrike]

Re: Intake gasket

Yup, those will be fine. If you don't have any coolant leak issues right now, don't mess with it. It can be hard for the novice to get the engine to seal up as good as it came from the factory.

[pace2006]

Yup, those will be fine. If you don't have any coolant leak issues right now, don't mess with it. It can be hard for the novice to get the engine to seal up as good as it came from the factory.

I wasn't as lucky as the OP. My coolant is slowly accumulating an oil mixture. So I'll be pulling it apart soon.

I'm trying to keep a cautious mind on this, but it looks a lot easier than my next task: pulling the heads on my z car. Overhead cam nonsense and such.

Any other tips to help prevent leaks?

[WarShrike]

Re: Intake gasket

Pace, teflon paste on the bolt threads for the intake and torque the bolts in the required sequence and put a little extra rtv/silicone on the corners of the gaskets where they join on the LIM.