3.1 intake job cost

Gauchoy2k · #1 01-31-2005, 07:04 PM

Just curious my 99 lumina is getting the intake worked on and replaced with the steel part. How much have you guys seen this go for?

cadgear · #2 01-31-2005, 08:59 PM

Steel part? I've not heard of this..

If you're just talking about the leaking manifold gasket, I've been quoted $800. At work we charge 7 hours labor, so whatever you want to go by.

But steel intake manifold...? Elaborate some, please?

mr_hops48 · #3 01-31-2005, 09:31 PM

chevy dealers in nw chicago suburbs were quoting me $800 and up to $1400. i found a independant that did it for $515 total. parts, antifreeze, oil, filter etc.

shop around and good luck !

i love my lumina even though it also has the "paint of death"..lol

dwalmop · #4 02-01-2005, 02:21 PM

I'm guessing the steel part you're talking about is the factory aluminum coolant line nipple that ALWAYS breaks when you try to remove it from the intake manifold. $900 is what I've heard the job going for

jeffcoslacker · #5 02-01-2005, 09:29 PM

I must be the only one who hasn't had to do this yet. I was talking to a Chevy tech at a dealer the other day, he about came out and called me a damn liar because I haven't had a problem yet. What mileage is typical for them to go bad? I'm at 118,000.

cadgear · #6 02-01-2005, 10:16 PM

I must be in the same boat with Jeff, I had no coolant part break on me, and I just did the intake gasket replacement about 4 days ago. Maybe Jeff and I just kick ass.

Of course, I have no clue whatsoever what part this is, for I saw no nipples (on the engine) that could have broken.

dwalmop · #7 02-01-2005, 10:42 PM

I'm not sure what "typical mileage" is for it but as a possible frame of reference my intake gasket was bad at about 62000 (on my '96). The coolant line nipple I was referring to was on my '90, and may only be a problem on the MPI engines. It's right undernieth the t-stat housing, and it's lock-tite'd into the manifold. It wouldn't call it a nipple if it was me, but that's what GM calls it. I was warned to be careful with it, and I was, and it still broke. Piece of shit. I said even more choice words when it happened, because all of the threaded part of it was still in the intake manifold, and I had to waste a couple hours to hog it out and re-thread the intake manifold. Curiously, the GM factory replacement is stainless steel instead of the original aluminum.

jeffcoslacker · #8 02-02-2005, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwalmop

I'm not sure what "typical mileage" is for it but as a possible frame of reference my intake gasket was bad at about 62000 (on my '96). The coolant line nipple I was referring to was on my '90, and may only be a problem on the MPI engines. It's right undernieth the t-stat housing, and it's lock-tite'd into the manifold. It wouldn't call it a nipple if it was me, but that's what GM calls it. I was warned to be careful with it, and I was, and it still broke. Piece of shit. I said even more choice words when it happened, because all of the threaded part of it was still in the intake manifold, and I had to waste a couple hours to hog it out and re-thread the intake manifold. Curiously, the GM factory replacement is stainless steel instead of the original aluminum.

I remember a few of those came through the shop that had just spontaneously broken off while driving.

DYI · #9 02-20-2005, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwalmop

I'm not sure what "typical mileage" is for it but as a possible frame of reference my intake gasket was bad at about 62000 (on my '96). The coolant line nipple I was referring to was on my '90, and may only be a problem on the MPI engines. It's right undernieth the t-stat housing, and it's lock-tite'd into the manifold. It wouldn't call it a nipple if it was me, but that's what GM calls it. I was warned to be careful with it, and I was, and it still broke. Piece of shit. I said even more choice words when it happened, because all of the threaded part of it was still in the intake manifold, and I had to waste a couple hours to hog it out and re-thread the intake manifold. Curiously, the GM factory replacement is stainless steel instead of the original aluminum.

I emailed a forum member about the intake gasket as my daughters 96 3.1 with only 52,000 miles is leaking right by the distributor hole plug. I would like to tackle this job (to save daugher money) if I had step by step instructions on what to take apart, when, and what to buy to fix other parts while all the parts are on my bench??

Any takers with instructions or pictures??

Gauchoy2k · #10 02-27-2005, 12:11 AM

Well i got the intake done and it cost me $640.
My car had 47000 on it and is a 99.Now this out of the way i quess i can run forever now...lol

radioman2002 · #11 02-27-2005, 06:04 PM

I"m in the middle of doing one now, the car has 135K. While I am at it I am rebuilding the lifters, had a problem with them. There is another post on it. Also cleaning the rockers and push rods, again some problem of being clogged. I also need to check the thermostat. I think it has the wrong one installed, car has the looks of an engine that never quite warms up properly, the oil is pasty and waxy. The car will not warm up to temp if it is left idling, but reaches temp ok when actually driven. ANy ideas?

jchc_underoath · #12 02-28-2005, 06:54 PM

I bought my 98 LS from my parents about two years ago. They bought the extended warranty from the dealer. At 100k miles the only thing they replaced was the air compressor. So far she's got 124k miles on her and the only other thing my dad replaced (he's a mechanic) was a water pump. My Lumina kicks ass I guess. Also, she starts almost perfectly everytime, except when its cold out sometimes.

DYI · #13 03-01-2005, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchc_underoath

I bought my 98 LS from my parents about two years ago. They bought the extended warranty from the dealer. At 100k miles the only thing they replaced was the air compressor. So far she's got 124k miles on her and the only other thing my dad replaced (he's a mechanic) was a water pump. My Lumina kicks ass I guess. Also, she starts almost perfectly everytime, except when its cold out sometimes.

I have 2 Luminas and I think they are both low mileage pcs of junk. I am a glutton for punishment and continue to fix what breaks instead of getting one of those 10year 100,000 warranties!

I am in the middle of a intake manifold fix on my 96 3.1. This is my last job on a Lumina. Both my 90 and 96 were bought from grandma who had about 20,000 miles on them when we bought them. Nothing but problems.

However, anything can be fixed-----------or torched!

DYI · #14 03-01-2005, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gauchoy2k

Well i got the intake done and it cost me $640.
My car had 47000 on it and is a 99.Now this out of the way i quess i can run forever now...lol

I wish you luck, but don't count on running forever. $640 is about right, however, my local guy (good mechanic) quoted me $350 to do the job at night outside of his dealer ship job. After looking at the parts around my garage, my wife and daughter laughing at me, and the prospect of this leaking after I get it done, well, I won't be a happy camper that I didn't let him do the job.

However, if I get it done and it works fine, then I probably come back on this forum and flex some typing muscles to all the world to read. I even have about 15 digital pictures to share

Film at 11

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