PLENUM Intake Failure, What kind of fluid did you use?

[Flatrater]

Originally Posted by happydog500

One thing I don't understand is if the problem is the plastic melting away, why do I have to replace both upper and lower gaskets?

Can I just replace the plenum and gasket without the lower going out?

Two shops told me they wouldn't do the job unless they did BOTH gaskets.

I was told the ones GM now sells are better then what came on the cars originally. They improved them or something like that.

What do you think? A "new" GM or an aftermarket? What brand aftermarkets are good or bad? Thank you,
Chris.

GM decided that instead of fixing the size of the hole in the plenum they would reduce the size of the EGR tube. The only difference in the new lower intake is the diameter of the tube, it's smaller. That is why GM states to replace the lower and upper intake.

All dealers that use GM parts are required to change both intakes. Without changing both they cannot warranty the repair.

To me the old and new upper intakes look the same but I was told that GM improved the materail around the EGR tube making it thicker.

When I quote a repair to an out of warranty customer I give both options. The new GM upper and lower or the aftermarket upper. The aftermarket upper doesn't need the lower intake replaced. Price wise the aftermarket is cheaper and most people will go aftermarket.

[formzy]

Originally Posted by happydog500

One thing I don't understand is if the problem is the plastic melting away, why do I have to replace both upper and lower gaskets?

Can I just replace the plenum and gasket without the lower going out?

Two shops told me they wouldn't do the job unless they did BOTH gaskets.

I was told the ones GM now sells are better then what came on the cars originally. They improved them or something like that.

What do you think? A "new" GM or an aftermarket? What brand aftermarkets are good or bad? Thank you,
Chris.

My girlfriend has a '97 that I purchased the Ken-Co kit for last summer but never installed it yet. Look into this. The shops and dealers just want to totally switch out the old system and therefore eliminate a possible problem with the customer. Your looking at big money here. The Ken-Co kit should eliminate the problem. Hers has a slight coolant usage problem, but I'm constantly checking the overflow resivoir and the fluid in the radiator. I'm waiting for it to get slightly worse before I tackle the job. My kit was somewher in the $60 range. Much better than replacing the plenum,gasket,lower intake with new design,and gasket to a cost $1500 or more. Good Luck

[Flatrater]

Your 1500 or more quote is extreme. The total cost is less than 700.

Your Ken-co kit is that the one were you make the hole bigger and glue in a metal collar into the hole? If that is the one then it is only a bandaid fix since the metal collar transfers heat which will cause the plastic to melt even more. Might as well buy a new GM upper intake for less than 60 dollars because it will last just as long as the glued in metal collar.

[happydog500]

bump

[stuzman]

Originally Posted by auto trainy

Well its sounds like I read wrong and since you are better informed than I,what year did GM start using Dexcool and in your opinion are the engines better now than they were when all these problems started?and also does GM still use it? Thanks

Here is an article about Dex-Cool and GM. I had Dex-Cool in my personal vehicle (2000 LeSabre) and after 50,000 miles I noticed that sludge was starting to form in the coolant recovery tank. I had the cooling system flushed and replaced with the green antifreeze. Some people say that Dex-Cool is better than the original, but when I saw sludge forming, that was enough for me to get it out of there.

http://www.noln.net/features/feature3.html

[imidazol97]

[quote=stuzman]50,000 miles I noticed that sludge was starting to form in the coolant recovery tank. I had the cooling system flushed and replaced with the green antifreeze. Some people say that Dex-Cool is better than the original, but when I saw sludge forming, QUOTE]

Do you think what you saw was the antileak material from the factory collecting in the recovery tank? I had that on both cars.

[stuzman]

[quote=imidazol97]

Originally Posted by stuzman

50,000 miles I noticed that sludge was starting to form in the coolant recovery tank. I had the cooling system flushed and replaced with the green antifreeze. Some people say that Dex-Cool is better than the original, but when I saw sludge forming, QUOTE]

Do you think what you saw was the antileak material from the factory collecting in the recovery tank? I had that on both cars.

I'm not sure, but it created a ring around the coolant tank which remains to this day. I removed the tank to clean the remaining sludge that was suspended in solution. So, either way, if it's the Dex-Cool or the anti-leak material, it's flushed and I haven't seen it forming since.

[happydog500]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

Might as well buy a new GM upper intake for less than 60 dollars because it will last just as long as the glued in metal collar.

Is "The new GM Upper Intake" the Plenum? How can I get one for $60?

I want to replace the Plenum, and while I'm at it replace the lower gasket.

I've read where people say only use the GM gaskets. Others say use this brand or that brand, not GM.

GM or Aftermarket Gaskets? Any brand better then others?