Coolant leaking at intake gasket

I have a 2000 Alero GLS with 69,000 miles. I just started noticing a coolant leak around the intake (where the radiator hose goes into the motor block). The coolant is puddling up around the block where the motor and transmission meets and every morning I have a small puddle on the garage floor. I took it by the Pontiac Dealer in town and they said the gasket needs to be replaced and gave me an $800 estimate! :banghead:

Any advice? Seems like I should be able to get this done cheaper than $800. Also, how critical is it to get this fixed? Can it cause further damage? I'm fairly naive when it comes to car repairs so that's why I'm asking. Thanks in advance!

I have a 2000 Alero GLS with 69,000 miles. I just started noticing a coolant leak around the intake (where the radiator hose goes into the motor block). The coolant is puddling up around the block where the motor and transmission meets and every morning I have a small puddle on the garage floor. I took it by the Pontiac Dealer in town and they said the gasket needs to be replaced and gave me an $800 estimate! :banghead:

Any advice? Seems like I should be able to get this done cheaper than $800. Also, how critical is it to get this fixed? Can it cause further damage? I'm fairly naive when it comes to car repairs so that's why I'm asking. Thanks in advance!


800 bucks, that's not bad... But try a shop not a dealership and it will more than likely be cheaper.. As for further damage, yes... One thing your coolant needs is pressure and a leak is bad.. One day you will forget to check the level in the radiator and that day will cause the 800 to turn into thousands... The leak will only get bigger.........

I had the same puddle of coolant on my 2000 with 103,000 miles and got a quote of $650 from a dealership here in Michigan. I ended up fixing it myself for about $150.
You may want to check the underside of your thermostat housing before getting the gaskets replaced, however.

I developed the same puddle of coolant a few after changing the gaskets a few weeks later!!! I was devastated to say the least. I found that there was coolant running under the thermostat housing. I had replaced the thermostat while changing the gasket, but I tore into it again and used some RTV sealant material with it (although you are not supposed to need it). I cleaned up the antifreeze, and the same puddle developed again. I found out it was a damaged o-ring on the heater pipe that inserts into the thermostat housing. I should have replaced it when I changed the intake gaskets. It has been bone dry ever since. (Knock on wood)

I think my intake gaskets were seeping anyway, and I didn't pay $650, so I don't feel too bad about changing them, but you may be able to get off cheaper than $800 for a while if it is a thermostat or heater pipe leak.

Alero's 3.4L are notorious for the LIM Gasket Problem. Do a search of this forum and you will find plenty of info on this problem. Good Luck on the repairs.

Thanks for the advice from all of you. Unfortunately for me, I have not a clue when it comes to fixing things like this. I generally just take it to the dealer because I feel like they will do it right the first time. And I hate shopping around for repairs. But the price just seemed really high, so I'm weighing my options. I'm sure I'll get it repaired this week. Thanks again.

Had mine replased if it makes you feel any better.

Had mine replased if it makes you feel any better.

Who hasn't right Andrew? :lol:

I have a friend that has not. Lucky him! But you watch, everything will break at once, im waiting for that to happen.

I have a friend that has not. Lucky him! But you watch, everything will break at once, im waiting for that to happen.

Especially on the intake gaskets. We never had any real problems with it but we complained of dripping while still under warranty which turned out to be power steering fluid from a rack and pinion leaking seal. The dealer advised us of the GM TSB out on the intake gaskets and said while they have it in for service they'd replace it and for free. We took them up on that offer.

When I first bought my 1999 Alero, I had around 70,000k on it, I did however call the GM Canada head office and complain. Long story short, I got them to fix the Intake for just shy of 400 CDn dollars. I would not pay the full price on that no way. No harm in calling and asking.


I have a 2000 Alero GLS with 69,000 miles. I just started noticing a coolant leak around the intake (where the radiator hose goes into the motor block). The coolant is puddling up around the block where the motor and transmission meets and every morning I have a small puddle on the garage floor. I took it by the Pontiac Dealer in town and they said the gasket needs to be replaced and gave me an $800 estimate! :banghead:

Any advice? Seems like I should be able to get this done cheaper than $800. Also, how critical is it to get this fixed? Can it cause further damage? I'm fairly naive when it comes to car repairs so that's why I'm asking. Thanks in advance!