INTAKE GASKET MAIN PAGE, PLEASE POST Q'S&A'S HERE!

[bl10]

Don't know how to post on this forum. Just changed intake gaskets on 99 Venture. Couldn't find vac line for right rear uppper manifold (by alt). Anyone know where the ine comes from.


Thanks
Barry

[bl10]

Forgot following. Blocked vac fitting. (Big leak) and it runs ok but service engine lite is on. Looks like a 1/4 inch line or so. You would think I would see such a large line.

Barry

[cdru]

Originally Posted by bl10

Don't know how to post on this forum. Just changed intake gaskets on 99 Venture. Couldn't find vac line for right rear uppper manifold (by alt). Anyone know where the ine comes from.

Right rear? Isn't your alternator on the left? If memory serves me, there are two vacuum lines on the rear valve cover. One goes to the MAP sensor or whatever the little thing is in front of the ignition coils. The other goes to the break booster...I think. I can check later tonight if you haven't figured it out.

[bl10]

Sitting in the Car the line would be on the right. It exits the upper manifold pointing at the alt. Looking at the front of the car it would be on the left. It's not on the valve cover its on the upper manifold.

[monti730105]

I have a 2002 Chevy Venture, 3.4L with 66k miles. I recently noticed a leak orginating from the lower intake manifold bolts. Considering the number 4 bolt, adjacent to the temperature sender, was so loose I could turn it with my fingers, I removed the upper intake plenum and tightened all the lower intake manifold bolts. This appears to have resolved the issue in the short term. Skeptical, I found this forum.

Since reading I have downladed the March 2003 service bulletin and contacted GM Customer Assistance Center. The rep has requested the vehicle be inspected by my local Chevy service center and with the diagnosis and estimate for repair of a leaking IMG, the rep will let me know what Chevy will be able to offer me towards the repair if anything. But first I have to foot the bill for a diagnosis $90.

Reading the previous threads I am not too optomistic, but I will try and let you all know how Chevy reponds.

[nfdecatur1]

I am attempting to relieve the fuel pressure for my 2000 Malibu, but can't screw into the test port on the fuel rail. I have a fuel pressure tester with a bleed-out hose, but there is a metal tube connecting to base of power steering well in the way. I am fearful if I try to move the tube out of the way too much it will snap. Any ideas on how to connect or alternative ways to relieve the pressure?

[OOge]

I've got the same problem with the intake manifolds.
But I don't get the instructions right. Does the engine need to be out of the vehicle. Because the manual says rotate the engine.

[1Bradymichael]

Originally Posted by nfdecatur1

I am attempting to relieve the fuel pressure for my 2000 Malibu, but can't screw into the test port on the fuel rail. I have a fuel pressure tester with a bleed-out hose, but there is a metal tube connecting to base of power steering well in the way. I am fearful if I try to move the tube out of the way too much it will snap. Any ideas on how to connect or alternative ways to relieve the pressure?

I have a 2000 Montana, and whenever I have to do any kind of work on the fuel system, such as fuel filters, etc. I just unplug the fuel pump harness by the fuel tank and then start the engine and let it "peter" out. This has always worked for me. Theoretically this should relieve the pressure in the fuel rail, and seemed to work for me when I did the intake gaskets this past summer.

[1Bradymichael]

Originally Posted by OOge

I've got the same problem with the intake manifolds.
But I don't get the instructions right. Does the engine need to be out of the vehicle. Because the manual says rotate the engine.

When the manual says to rotate the engine, they are referring to the act of
taking the dogbones loose, these are the brackets that hold the engine in place on top and keep it from twisting during accleration and reverse operation. When these are loose, you can rotatate the engine forward or backwards to get at stuff easier. I did NOT, however, find this was needed when I did the intake gaskets on a 2000 Montana. I can see it might make things easier, but I did not have to do it. Although you have to do the spark plugs pretty much by feel alone.

[OOge]

Originally Posted by 1Bradymichael

When the manual says to rotate the engine, they are referring to the act of
taking the dogbones loose, these are the brackets that hold the engine in place on top and keep it from twisting during accleration and reverse operation. When these are loose, you can rotatate the engine forward or backwards to get at stuff easier. I did NOT, however, find this was needed when I did the intake gaskets on a 2000 Montana. I can see it might make things easier, but I did not have to do it. Although you have to do the spark plugs pretty much by feel alone.

Thanks
Do I need to take something of, like the exhaust. I can't find anything about it in the haynes manual. I will first try to get the gasket here in the netherlands. What spark plug do you use. Original Delco.

[1Bradymichael]

Originally Posted by OOge

Thanks
Do I need to take something of, like the exhaust. I can't find anything about it in the haynes manual. I will first try to get the gasket here in the netherlands. What spark plug do you use. Original Delco.

You can leave the exhaust alone, unless you have a head that needs to come off. I would use the AC Delco OE style plugs, they are as good as anything else for the money. Might not hurt to check and or replace the plug wires while your at it, as well as the oil pump drive o-ring.

[pdqgeorge]

Thanks to all who contributed here regarding IMG replacement. I am now 5 hrs. into job and am really glad I kept my two 70's vintage MOPARS, where you can literally sit inside the engine compartment while working under the hood!!! Did anyone else who did this job themselves have a thought that these vehicles (newer GM ones) are meant to be "disposable" rather than serviceable? I remember tight fits when working on 60's big block muscle machines, but come on - alternator bolts that butt up to the firewall when you remove them??? Having to take so many fittings, connectors, etc. apart just to pull an intake? And what's up with the power steering pump - if I had to replace it only would I have to remove the fuel injector rail first?? (I still can't get it to come out after trying for an hour...) Last affair I had with a GM was pulling / rebuilding 2.5L 4 cyl. in a Calais (had one of the notorious cracked cyl. heads) - in retrospect, that job was much easier!!

Well, I will continue this adventure on my '99 Montana but without the input from you all I probably today would have called the local garage to have them tow it there to finish the job, as before I read this it looked like I got in way over my head. So let's continue to educate each other and who knows, maybe the local dealer will eventually have to "lower" the labor rate for lack of business (well I can dream, can't I?)... Now, do you prefer liquid bandage or good old Curads?!!!

[OOge]

Could someone please tell me where I can buy the mentioned parts. Here in the Netherlands, no GM dealer has the modified gaskets. So I'd like to order it online in the US. They need to ship international.

[bighook18]

I just did the intake on my 97 venture. It now runs "loud"

Its not knocking (i dont think) but it has more of a growl noise... any ideas?


Thanks

[tepco]

Has anyone filled out the class action law suit on page 8 post #116? I would like to be a part of helping resolve these problems we are having with these engines. I just want to be sure i am not going to be bombarded be emails and/or phone calls, and that it is legit. (older post, i know)

Anyway I have a 1999 Venture and having coolant fizzing bobbling out of the lower IMG on the drivers side causing a puddle then overflowing down the engine/transmission to the ground. It just got worse last week, still have about 8 months of payments left on it .

Crazy thing is when i bought it from a dealer with 41K miles i noticed the same problem and they fixed it. that was in 02 so i think it must have been just before the gaskets were changed to the improved ones. 111k miles on it now so i guess it did pretty good.

Thanks for all the great info ill be diving into this project next week or so.

Are there anymore TSB's newer then the 03 TSB on this problem?

Tim