Hi everyone! My first post here!

I've got a 98 Lumina LTZ with the 3800 SII at 130K miles. Been losing coolant slowly for a year, couldn't find the problem so I let it go. It finally picked up the pace loosing it faster and also setting a 0306 code (#6 misfire) so I went on the web and found this site.

I've spent several hours searching (dial up:eek: ) and found out about the upper plenum problem.:banghead: GM :rolleyes:

Can the starter motor have enough torque to bend a rod if a cylinder is full of coolant? Hasn't happened yet just wondering.

I've now got the Dorman plenum kit en route but was wondering if it has the lower intake gaskets with it or not. Should I do the lower intake also?

Does the Dorman kit come with injector O- rings?

If there is a link to a step by step for the upper and lower I haven't found it can someone give it to me?

I was happy to see some of the high mileages on some of the Luminas, Grand Prixs etc. I was about to trade for a Honda. Been Chevy so far all my life but these inherent problems are getting annoying and there is no excuse GM.:shakehead

Just a note, It would be better for all if when you post you always have year, make, model, and engine in the title.

I know, a lot of questions with rambling, thanks for the help!

Pete

To answer your questions:
The starter cannot create enough torque to bend a rod, it will just stop turning over, but the cylinder can fill quick enough while the engine running to do it.

I would do the lower intake gaskets at the same time since you already have it down.

The Dorman kit comes with the injector o-rings, a new pcv valve/housing/o-rings, the new EGR stovepipe, throttle body gasket, and the upper plenum gasket .

Cool, thanks!

Couple more questions.... I've been looking at the lower intake (haven't removed anything yet) And wondering what is the plastic(?) tube running out the very front of the lower intake into the alternator bracket??? I've got a Haynes manual (not impressed doesn't show anything) Should I also get a Clymer?

I also have a 99 Monte Carlo Z34, any improvements on it or should I just do an upper and lower intake on it?

Thanks.

That elbow is a coolant passage that goes to the heater core. They are famous for breaking when you try to remove them, so I'd suggest having one handy. Dorman makes it (sorry I don't have a part# for you) , or the GM# is 24503423.

Well I'm on the downhill side now, got the lower removed and replaced with the new aluminum gaskets and the Dorman upper is ready to go on.

Some notes:

GM chose to run the heater core coolant through the belt tensioner bracket, WHY I don't know. There is a plastic elbow that comes out of the intake and goes into the tensioner bracket.

I couldn't remove either end of the plastic elbow without it breaking so have a new one. $10 at Chevy has O-rings already on it. Also pick up a new O-ring for the other press fit tube on the bracket.

When you remove the upper, leave the throttle body attached to it. once off then remove the throttle body. On install attach the throttle body to the plenum, then install the plenum. (you'll see why)

Don't forget there are 12 intake bolts not 10. Two are hidden in a pocket inside the lower which will fill with coolant from the removal of the upper. You won't see them they're under the coolant puddles.

The Dorman kit still calls for 89 in. lbs. on the upper so that's what I'm going to torque them to.

Tomorrow I'll finish and start her up. That gives the RTV 24 hours to cure. I bet that never happens at a shop.

I got her altogether and had a hell of a time starting it. Kept wet fouling the plugs. Since they were just recently replaced I didn't want to buy new ones.

I also have a 99 Monte Carlo Z34 with the 3800 engine. I just kept pulling the plugs out and running them in the Monte for a few miles to clean them.

It finally started and has been great ever since.

Thanks to all that helped. I figure I saved around $1200 in labor.