Park Ave Lower intake gasket problem ?

I have a 2000 Park Ave and I have had the Upper Intake Manifold replaced at a local dealer. They replaced the Lower gaskets at the same time which was about 20,000 miles ago. I have read all over the net about the big problems with both upper and lower manifolds and gaskets. I see on GM's site there are new lower gaskets out to replace the old style. I have removed the Dex Cool coolant from my car awhile back. Am I good to go now or do I need to have the dealer put in the new style lower gaskets ? What caused the lower gaskets failure ? Thanks gents

Welcome to AF. The 3.1 is the problematic engine with numerous lim gasket revisions, the 3800 has issues with the uim itself. Don't see an issue with any of these gaskets for you.

There has been many, many replaced UIM's and Lower gasket failures on the 3800 series 2 motors. It is very well documented problem. My dealer told me they have done hundreds on the series 2 3800 v6 motors. The problem with the UIM failue is that the EGR stove pipe goes thru the UIM and touches the plastic which in turns melts thru the coolant passages and the coolant is injested into the motor.There is an updated APN kit for this poblem ( see link )

http://www.automotivepartsnetwork.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=229679

The LIM gaskets only seems to be affected by use of the DEX Cool coolant.
GM has new aluminum gaskets to fix this problem too.
Thanks for the response !

There has been many, many replaced UIM's and Lower gasket failures on the 3800 series 2 motors. It is very well documented problem. My dealer told me they have done hundreds on the series 2 3800 v6 motors. The problem with the UIM failue is that the EGR stove pipe goes thru the UIM and touches the plastic which in turns melts thru the coolant passages and the coolant is injested into the motor.There is an updated APN kit for this poblem ( see link )

http://www.automotivepartsnetwork.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=229679

The LIM gaskets only seems to be affected by use of the DEX Cool coolant.
GM has new aluminum gaskets to fix this problem too.
Thanks for the response !


Since you have a 2000 model with SII 3800 the EGR stovepipe problem is not really applicable to your situation. It was the 95 - 98 models. From 1999 and up GM used a revised UIM and LIM. For the hundreds of GM cars with the SII 3800 that have UIM or LIM problems there are thousands on the road that do not have problems or a differerent variation of the problems. The primary issue was the UIM and throttle body gaskets. However, GM introduced a new UIM plenum with a new part number of 89017272. Also, there is a revised UIM gasket part number 89017554. So your dealer may have installed the revised UIM and gaskets which would make sense. I think the issue of whether Dexcool causes the LIM gasket problem is still undecided and will be debated for years to come.

GM did come out with new aluminum LIM gaskets around the Spring of 2006 GM part number 89017816.

BTW - Your link is to an aftermarket UIM kit not the GM made one. There are other aftermarket UIM kits available from Dorman, Ken-Co and Motormite. They all have their selling features. Good part is they come compete with all gaskets and a reasonable cost versus buying the GM version.

There has been many, many replaced UIM's and Lower gasket failures on the 3800 series 2 motors. It is very well documented problem. My dealer told me they have done hundreds on the series 2 3800 v6 motors. The problem with the UIM failue is that the EGR stove pipe goes thru the UIM and touches the plastic which in turns melts thru the coolant passages and the coolant is injested into the motor.There is an updated APN kit for this poblem ( see link )

http://www.automotivepartsnetwork.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=229679

The LIM gaskets only seems to be affected by use of the DEX Cool coolant.
GM has new aluminum gaskets to fix this problem too.
Thanks for the response !
Ok, got the " real" picture now, not the anecdotal misinformation? Then on top of it all, you answer your own question on the subject.

problem is the NEW 1999 and up all GM did was make the stovepipe smaller to create a gap around the UIM hole. Problem is it still gets hot and can degrade the plastic and my dealer told me they are seeing 2000 and up cars with burned thru UIM still. The nice thing about the APN is for one its cheaper than the GM and also the sleeved the hole i the UIM and supply aN EVEN SMALLER STOVEPIPE. If you couple that with new aluminum LIM gaskets and NO DEx should be good to go.My orignal question was; if I still have the orignal plastic LIM gaskets and have removed the Dex am I fairly safe ? I would feel better with the new aluminum LIM gaskets I suppose but they haven't been out long enough to proove themselves. Whne I asked the dealer if I was good with having the new ( 2002) UIM he said " well we see alot of LIM gasket problems on that 3800 too" so I guess who knows. Thanks guys !

Your guess is as good as anyone elses. We would just be speculating on the keeping the plastic LIM gaskets and whether you will be safe. :dunno:

What is your current mileage? When you had the UIM replaced was it under any warranty or did you pay out of pocket?

Over the past several years I have inspected many UIMs from 1999 and up GM cars with the SII 3800 and have yet to see this alleged EGR stovepipe damage. Normally the UIM and TB gaskets resolve the issue. Of course, 98 and below is a different issue.

current mileage is 70k I bought the car with 68k on it and the dealer is a huge GM dealer in Jersey. They did the replacement under warranty. The LIM looks brand new real clean aluminum but maybe it was cleaned up good. The UIM has a 2002 date code on it I did remove the Dexcool and flushed and refilled with Prestone Orange coolant with new t-stat and rad cap. I have not noticed any coolant missing at all and it runs fine, so....?