Intake gaskets / replace or not???

I know several people have the same problem I do... your intake gaskets leak coolant. Well, mine have leaked since I bought the truck (used, about 3 yrs ago). Other than the obvious mess and occationally filling the reservior, I have had no other problems with this.
I have heard some people replaced these gaskets only to create other problems.
My questions are:
1) Who has replaced their's, and what were the results?
2) Who has let thier's go, for how long, and what were the results?
Give as much detail as you can (cost, miles,yrs, diy or shop, etc.)

What year, model and engine is your truck?

I just bought and installed a set of Fel-Pro intake gaskets on my 97 Sierra and it was easy. It had been a hundred years since I did anything involving gaskets and the new ones are great! You should be able to do it as long as you torque everything correctly and pay attention to detail. Good luck.

Sorry, I should have been more specific. Mine is a 97 too. Those with the problematic gaskets are the vortec V-8s. Not sure how many yrs. I'm guessing 93 - 99 or so. Those who have them know who they are. How many miles did you have on yours before, and how many since? Keep us posted if you have any problems... or tips.

One of the proplems with not replacing the gasket is the coolant can leak into the engine causing bearing and lifter problems.
Oil and coolant don't mix and when they do the damage can be severe.

I havent heard of anybody getting coolant in the oil yet... Not that it doesn't happen, I'm sure it does. But don't you think we would hear more about it in this fourm if it happened very often? and I know there's lots of leakers out there....

i had the same problem with my 93 350v-8.
noticed it was always losing coolant and could not find where it was coming from. a buddy told me they leaked and usually its the back corner so i checked and sure enough thats where it was.
i replaced the gasket with no problem a year ago and havent had a problem since.

70 Camaro, my '96 Silverado (350 Vortec) started leaking antifreeze last fall at around 88k miles. just a few drips on the ground each morning, but also could smell coolant from the exhaust.

I could have let it go, but remember that the gaskets can leak internally as well, allowing coolant into the windage tray (lifter area) and therefore mixing with the motor oil. Didn't want that to happen and be staring at an engine rebuild in the future (cam and crank bearings).

I decided to replace mine myself. It was really a bitch due to the nearly impossible removal of the fuel injection system. Was able to do it though and problem has been solved. I used Fel-Pro gaskets and drained the oil after the change.

Truck now has 107k and has really never run better. If I'm not careful, I often squeal the tires on most take offs! Gotta love those Vortec motors.

I say bite the bullet and do it. You're taking a chance on frying some bearings if you don't. And if you do, you only ensure the motor will last indefinitely.

hope this helps,

rpg

So has anybody out there had coolant mix with thier oil? Surely there must be more people out there with this leak...

I've seen 4.3L S10s that have had oil in the coolant more so than coolant in the oil.

I had to reseal my Intake Manifold on my 99 tahoe, at 95,000 miles. Now we have no leaks and it runs better since I cleand off the fuel injectors while I had it off. Took about 8 hours and a trip to the dealer to get it timed again ($100 bucks later).

Yes...lots of people have this problem, some get it fixed , some wait till it's too late.You mix oil with coolant and you are taking life off your engine! I had a leak on my 91 GMC half ton 305 engine and couldn't change it fast enough. It WAS leaking on the outside and MAYBE on the inside, but I wasn't taking any chances.I now have 185,000 kms on it and the engine is running strong without burning hardly any oil.
They aren't hard to change, takes more time than brains. Be sure to drain your antifreeze first and change oil when done. I think the reason most people don't do it, is because they can't do it themselves and don't want to go get ripped off at a garage. Also , when ever they have a problem with their car they sell it and it becomes someones elses problem.
If you want your engine to be good to you....be good to it!!!
Kevcules

changed mine at 139,500 now have 168,300 just had a trans re-build done truck runs great. drain the water first and you should have no prob. when finished drain the oil good to go. if you ever check the oil and it looks like a chocolate milk shake you have water in your oil

There's another problem that coolant leaks in the intake manifold can cause, hydrolock. If the coolant leaks into the intake port of the head, the coolant will get into the combustion chamber. If overnight enough leaks in, it will either go directly into the cylinder (intake open) or get sucked in on the first revolution when starting. When the valves close and the piston comes up with more water that headspace, a rod or piston goes. Just to keep you up worrying at night.

guessing I am not the only one with this problem I see. I am going to (attempt anyway) to replace my intake gaskets this weekend because of coolant leakage. Have been reading a manual.....it talks of a 2-piece intake in the 5.7 liter engines. Anyone know of this, and does it have to be taken apart for the job to be done correctly? The motor has 60,000 miles on it and no other problems (I hope!)

Please see "DIY Intake questions" post in the Chevy Silverado Forum.... http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=2613117#post2613117

thanks for the link, 70camaro!.......I never thought to look in the chevy section.......duhhhhh. I'll let you know next week how successful (or not) this went. Oh, and nice car, I have a 69 gto myself, nothing quite like the older cars to take you back to the good old days. Many thanks to all of you who take time to share info with those of us who need it.