Disappearing coolant

[John G.]

Re: Disappearing coolant

Beavis, Beaver, or master debator, whatever your name is ;) Intake manifold gasket should take a rookie whose never done it before no longer than an hour! It should take me no longer than 20 mins.
It's really easy and people (like me) see engine failure as a good opportunity to open it up, explore, and see how stuff works in there. I'm really sorry you dont have the time, place, or motivation.

do you have any idea how long "the book" says this job takes ?

next time you have the need/opportunity to change an intake manifold gasket, take a video of it -- no way, no how, do you do this job start to finish, turn-key and go, in under an hour :rant:

[99RedDragonCamaro]

Re: Disappearing coolant

A video of doing this would be nice. I could follow something like that very easily.

I completely understand how people feel that a engine problem is a good opportunity to open it up and explore but I feel you need a way to get your feet wet. I work with computers (have been since I was a kid) and I'll take any and all problems you throw my way. But I have similar experiences with "ignorant". I've seen some of the most brilliant people I know (doctors, lawyers, etc...) sit down in front of a computer and just turn into infants. They are helpless when they encounter a computer problem, but to me it comes naturally and secondly I never have computer problems because I know what I'm doing. Its hard for me to fathom how a person so insanely smart can't figure out how to create a folder in their My Documents folder or have difficultiy right-clicking. Working on cars is the same for me. I have little to no experience with it so I am very aprehensive about doing anything to in fear of screwing it up.

Anyway.....anyone have a nice video of changing an intake manifold gasket on a 3800?

[99RedDragonCamaro]

Re: Disappearing coolant

Anyone in the Dayton, OH area wanna make a few buck replacing my intake manifold gaskets?

[Vanquish]

Re: Disappearing coolant

A video of doing this would be nice. I could follow something like that very easily.

I completely understand how people feel that a engine problem is a good opportunity to open it up and explore but I feel you need a way to get your feet wet. I work with computers (have been since I was a kid) and I'll take any and all problems you throw my way. But I have similar experiences with "ignorant". I've seen some of the most brilliant people I know (doctors, lawyers, etc...) sit down in front of a computer and just turn into infants. They are helpless when they encounter a computer problem, but to me it comes naturally and secondly I never have computer problems because I know what I'm doing. Its hard for me to fathom how a person so insanely smart can't figure out how to create a folder in their My Documents folder or have difficultiy right-clicking. Working on cars is the same for me. I have little to no experience with it so I am very aprehensive about doing anything to in fear of screwing it up.

Anyway.....anyone have a nice video of changing an intake manifold gasket on a 3800?

This is a better time than any to oper her up and get some experience under your belt. The best advice I could give is to study what part you are needing to replace, study up on what pieces have to come off for you to get down to replacing the gasket. Remember how the pieces are shaped and how they sat when installed and take it slowly, even take notes while doing it to remember exactly what piece came from where. Label each bolt/screw/clamp you take off and keep it well organized to keep confusion to a minimum when reinstalling. And if you get stuck on any part you can always post your questions and concerns on the forums and get the answers and help that you need.

[John G.]

Re: Disappearing coolant

on the other hand..............

if this is your only car, and you can't get by with the car potentially not being available to you for, let's say, 3 weeks -- do not do this on your own.

I'm all for learning things the hard way, or the hands-on way. But let's be practical & realistic here. The motors on 4th Gens are recessed so far back into the firewall that I've seen many dealership mechanics drop the motor from underneath, i.e. when they needed to service something topside, they removed the k-frame/member, then lowered the motor from under the lift, to do the job.

Maybe some guys have perfected a way to do this sort of thing from the top -- but until I see it with my own eyes, I'm very skeptical...

[slow6]

Re: Disappearing coolant

on the other hand..............

if this is your only car, and you can't get by with the car potentially not being available to you for, let's say, 3 weeks -- do not do this on your own.

I'm all for learning things the hard way, or the hands-on way. But let's be practical & realistic here. The motors on 4th Gens are recessed so far back into the firewall that I've seen many dealership mechanics drop the motor from underneath, i.e. when they needed to service something topside, they removed the k-frame/member, then lowered the motor from under the lift, to do the job.

Maybe some guys have perfected a way to do this sort of thing from the top -- but until I see it with my own eyes, I'm very skeptical...

I wouldnt say it would take 3 weeks!! Just make sure you have all the parts beforehand! (gaskets and bolts) and good tools is a Must!
i love air tools / electrical impact wrenches/guns


Sounds like those GM mechanics are either 300 lbs + (or more) OR they are just stupid and dont know how to follow simple directions that might come out of a Lesser informative service manual.... like Haynes
Haynes FTW! btw

I've had to rebuild the top end on a 3.8L f-body at least 4 times and have had to rebuild my whole motor(solo might I add? well...I had this site ;) ). Yes its a pain in the *** the FIRST time but you get the hang of it and it does go Alot faster each time!

If you have a 3.8L with a lower intake gasket leak, or lifters needing to be changed...whatever. I will do it practically free (just give me some beer)!
AND I will make a video of me doing it as fast as I can
Or maybe I can beat the hell out of my car (tuned of course)?
That would be nice! FTW!

Mind you I've seen kids on the internet rebuild thier whole engine in say... 3-5 hours!
(not including pulling the motor and dropping it back in)
They make me look like a ghetto grandma shade tree mechanic ;)

[John G.]

Re: Disappearing coolant

slow6 -- where you at ?

I'm bringing my car over to you !!

[Archer]

Re: Disappearing coolant

I know this is an old thred, but I was reading and someone said that if you are getting a white smoke and the temp gauge is bouncing back and forth, then its caused by vapor lock which means bad HEAD GASKET..

Is this true? because I am replacing my intake manifold gaskets again because I forgot to torque the bolts down correctly I hope anyways...

What should I be looking for in a symptom for bad head gasket?

Archer

[chevy the kid]

Re: Disappearing coolant

archer i'm very sorry for you.

I think my car don't have a headgasket problem since i don't have any overheat. I have do the oil change and nothing in oil. Just a very little metal piece on oil plug.

But my oil pressure is now 50-55 at any rpm with 10w40...

Does a intake gasket leak could affect the oil pressure?

[Archer]

Re: Disappearing coolant

i dunno, i flushed the system out lastnight and tried to drive around to see if the gauge would bounce back and forth. so far it didnt, but when I get home from work tonight im going to take it around town and out in the country to find out. maybe it was just air pockets making the meter bounce.

Archer

[chevy the kid]

Re: Disappearing coolant

what's your oil pressure archer?

[Archer]

Re: Disappearing coolant

it bounces to 60 then goes a lil below... but i recently found out I have a tranny leak and an oil leak somewhere..
Archer

[chevy the kid]

Re: Disappearing coolant

mine is now 50-55 all the time with 10w40 but i don't know if i could trust this sensor