Intake manifold pitted from leaking coolant

[regrunr]

My 1995 Lumina 3.1L was leaking coolant profusely from intake manifold and I tore down and discovered blown gasket at coolant port on head near thermostat on radiator side. I discovered after cleaning intake manifold that the metal is pitted around that port. What is my next step?
I don't want to put new gasket over this and put back together and have the same thing happen. Is there a solution rather than buying new manifold? I thought about taking it to a head shop and having it milled down.

[cadgear]

Definitely have it smoothed out. You could use some gasket sealer on it, but I wouldn't consider that a permenant fix.

Edit: More than likely you have a contaminant in the coolant system. Drain, flush, refill with new stuff, and make sure your pump and thermostat are in good order. Use a commercial flush fluid if you have to. Scale build-up and corrosion can pit easily, or you may have pitted it when you took the thing apart.

[Slammerz]

The contaminate in the system is called Dex-Cool...

[broughy84]

The contaminate in the system is called Dex-Cool...

EXACTLY!!

[DYI]

Originally Posted by regrunr

My 1995 Lumina 3.1L was leaking coolant profusely from intake manifold and I tore down and discovered blown gasket at coolant port on head near thermostat on radiator side. I discovered after cleaning intake manifold that the metal is pitted around that port. What is my next step?
I don't want to put new gasket over this and put back together and have the same thing happen. Is there a solution rather than buying new manifold? I thought about taking it to a head shop and having it milled down.

regrunr: My daughters 96 Lumina 3.1 (52,000 miles) has a leak close to the distributor plug below the radiator hose. Hard to see without a flashlight, however, I see where it is bubbling then draining down the trans housing onto to the garage floor. Have to replace as constant leak. Am nervous about tackling as many parts to remove. I asked another forum (if time permits) to give me step by step removal instructions and what other parts to replace if I have all these parts off. Do you want to take a shot at this to help me

I have the tools and have done typical alternator, belts, oil pan gasket type stuff, but not this.