Buying a truck that needs intake manifold gasket... Would you buy it

[Drewster2016]

I found a truck on Craigslist I want to take s look at.. 191k 4x4 extended cab 1999 Sierra. If just need to do cab corners and he has the other rocker I just have to install.. Only issue really is it needs intake Gasket. How big of a problem is this? Is it easy to do yourself?

 

 

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[chupe442]

If you are mechanically able, its not that bad of a job really.. Just pay attention to the wires, and hoses that you disconnect. Many connectors will be a bit brittle from age but its not a specialist job. Are you sure its an intake issue?

[Drewster2016]

If you are mechanically able, its not that bad of a job really.. Just pay attention to the wires, and hoses that you disconnect. Many connectors will be a bit brittle from age but its not a specialist job. Are you sure its an intake issue?

The guy said it's the intake manifold gaskets.. But I'm not really sure. I just don't want to buy a money pit

 

 

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[8.1HD/ALLISON]

Intake is cake work compared to body work. I assume it has the 5.3? Should take more than 2 hours or so for anyone mechanically inclined.

[chupe442]

I would ask as to how they know they have a leaky intake gasket... Back in the day, we would take carb cleaner and "puff" it around the intake of a cool running motor. A sudden rise or fall of RPMs would indicate a bad seal...

 

Now if they are losing water and just assuming it is disappearing in the exhaust, I am not sure you will be able to tell this until you pull the intake and see the water puddled and/or see the failed seal/gasket.

 

Hopefully someone will ad to my suggestion and either agree or correct it.. Its been a long time since I had to do any of this diagnosing...

[lunytnz]

I have a 99 Yukon (with a 5.7L Vortec) and had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced on mine a few years ago. I opted to let a shop do it because I didn't have the time. I was about $800, total, but other "while you're at it" stuff added another $400. Plus, as someone mentioned, some things were brittle and broke, which added to the cost. The mechanic said the intake gasket is a known problem on these engines and said the replacement gaskets addressed the problem. I'm mechanically inclined, but I'm wondering whether I want to even tackle replacing the FPR and the spider injectors in mine, at the moment.

[white1500]

If an intake manifold gasket can scare you off then you need to buy a brand new vehicle with 0 problems and a full warranty.

[wing98]

it is a fairly easy job the only thing you really have watch for is to get the distributor back in the right place . I have done a lot of these over the years it takes about 3 to 4 hours

[ltj9296]

_{Not to tough of a job, imo. They may be some youtube videos on how to do it( I have not checked). My biggest concern would be if that was really the problem.}

[GuyGene]

I can pretty well assure you it's the intake manifold gasket on the '99. My '96 Vortec also had that issue, which is about guaranteed to happen to the '96-'99 year 5.7s. A known issue. GM didn't use a good gasket or sealant. Find out if it was driven much with manifold leaking, if not and price is right, I'd get it. Again, the '96-'99 Vortex 5.7 (350) WILL have intake manifold gasket go out.