98 Lumina Lower Intake Gasket Issues

[blmanthey]

I have a 98 Lumina (3.1L). that has been leaking coolant like crazy. I went in to get the problem fixed and was told that the lower intake gasket was shot. The factory model gasket was made of plastic and my mechanic is going to be replacing it with one that came out two years later that is made of metal. I wanted to know if anyone else has had this problem and what steps were taken to fix the problem. I want to know if my $630 was spent wisely.

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF, very common problem on the 3.1 and 3.4, do a search here for a litany of threads, the job price is about right, actually not bad, depends on the labor rate in your area. Usually an oil change and filter is required with this repair.

[blmanthey]

A basic oil change also came with that price. I was looking at the other threads in the forum and I saw that some mechanics blamed similar problems on Dex-Cool. My mechanic metioned nothing about the coolant being the problem. Should I be worried about the coolant I buy from here on out?

For now, I'm just happy that my car is back on the road and, most importantly since I'm in Wisconsin, the heat works again.

[maxwedge]

Dex cool is not the issue with the lower gaskets, sleep well.

[lumina_98]

I'm watching these gasket issues like a hawk. I wasn't aware of this when I bought my car last week.

I've got my Haynes manual in hand and looking at the engine. I see what I think is called the intake manifold gaskets then what I'd call head gaskets. What at the lower intake gaskets? Sorry I'm not a mechanic so sometime have to reveal my ignorance but if you don't ask you'll never know.

One other question. What about swapping out the engine for a new one when these gaskets fail? Cost? Would the new one be bullet proof or probably host the same problems over time?

[maxwedge]

The lower intake gasket is the where the lower intake manifold bolts to the heads, unless you are loosing coolant with no visual external leaks they are ok for now, could have been done already as many have been. If they leak and you are on top of getting it fixed early in the problem there is no reason to worry about engine replacements.

[cadgear]

Chances are if the engine never overheated and it has relatively low miles then the head gasket won't be a problem.

The lower intake gaskets have square holes for the intake runners into the heads, wheras a head gasket has large round holes for the cylinder bores. $630 is a great price, at the shop I worked at we usually charged $750 for the whole shebang, with oil change and coolant top-off.

[trisha7025]

Originally Posted by blmanthey

A basic oil change also came with that price. I was looking at the other threads in the forum and I saw that some mechanics blamed similar problems on Dex-Cool. My mechanic metioned nothing about the coolant being the problem. Should I be worried about the coolant I buy from here on out?

For now, I'm just happy that my car is back on the road and, most importantly since I'm in Wisconsin, the heat works again.

I dont understand why everyone is complaining about the Dex cool,the car manual even says to use it cause most of the stuff in the engine is alumnium and would make it last longer,,,so is this not true? I have dex cool(the orange stuff) in my car!!!

[maxwedge]

This thread is too old to continue, but properly serviced there is nothing wrong with Dex, leaking radiator caps can let air in the system if it is low this can cause issues.