Vortec intake gaskets

catmandoo · August 31, 2004

Hi all I am new here so here goes the first question... I have a 98 GMC that I have owned since new and it looks like I need to replace intake gaskets at 90000 miles. I have heard from a lot of people that this was common in the vortec engines, so if this is so then why didn't GM do a recall???? Any advice to changing these??

Thanks Bob

Rookie · August 31, 2004

Because they all dont leak, but when they do it at about 60,000 miles, If your a wrench do it your self, but the CPI injection under there is like a rats nest. Also the intake is plastic. if you break it is about 1200.00. Im a wrench and could have done it but i Paid the dealer 475.00 to do mine w/ 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.

TimTim · August 31, 2004

My understanding is that Dexcool coolant has alot to do with this and similar problems. I have 95 bonnevile with the glycol anti freeze, 137000 miles no issues. Inlaws have 98 bonneville 54000 miles needed new intake-Dexcool. I've been told to flush my van and truck extremely well and put glycol in them to eliminate alot of future issues????

Cool Zr2 · August 31, 2004

Because they all dont leak, but when they do it at about 60,000 miles, If your a wrench do it your self, but the CPI injection under there is like a rats nest. Also the intake is plastic. if you break it is about 1200.00. Im a wrench and could have done it but i Paid the dealer 475.00 to do mine w/ 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.

Huh?

Its not a rats nest, its a matter of unplugging the harness and laying it off to the size, then its really no different than your regular intake job. And is the intake isn't plastic, but the partial "cover" is, and it is a 30 dollar part, otherwise it is aluminum throughout.

90,000 miles is well past the life expectancy for those vortec gaskets, mainly the problem is related to the 8? lb tq bolt tightness on the 8 bolts on that intake. They more less crack from the antifreeze pressure, it blows out the gasket at the runner for the coolant, sometimes it slowly leaks, but I've seen a squirt show. It does this becasue there is no force holding the intake against the head like the TBI's or carb intakes.

dadejak · September 1, 2004

I was told that the dealer sold a sealant that you buy to fix that problem. Anybody else heard this?

Rookie · September 1, 2004

Okie dokie CoolZr2. I guess I must of had some Type of a side show freak/ Odd ball, Im not sure what the 8 runners comeing from the CPI unit were then. I guess it must have been a flask back to my younger years when i would see spiders crawling on me.