Intake Manifold Leak

[04Malibu]

Help please,

Just as soon as I ask whether or not GM is as good as Toyota, my 02 Montana with the 3400 V6 has developed yet another intake manifold leak at 60,000 miles. I already paid the dealer twice to correct this problem. Is this common on the 3400/3500 engine. Should I sell?

James

[tom3]

Might try an independant mechanic. Save some money and get the Felpro improved gaskets and bolting deal. Could solve your problems. These problems are going to put GM out of business I'm afraid.

[04Malibu]

I can't buy a Toyota under any circumstances. Even if they don't have manifold seal problems. Don't worry Sonoma, I won't go over to the dark side. I just wondered if this was a problem with this engine?
Thanks for all of your input.

James

[wpbharry]

The 3100 and 3400 both have the notorious intake manifold leak. The 3500 doesn't yet, and GM claims it won't. Same for the upcoming 3900. Some gaskets have leaked in 3800s as well, but not all.

I had the gaskets replaced in my 3100-equipped '98 Malibu LS (don't own it anymore) in summer '03. Lucky me, because the new gaskets, that apparently will never have to be replaced again, had just come out. In any event, the gaskets normally go around 50,000 miles or 5 years.

Make sure you get the new gaskets, whatever you do. Hopefully someone more tech-inclined can describe the new gaskets....

[04Malibu]

I also have an 05 Malibu with the 3500 and am afraid of the same thing happening on this engine.

Thanks for all of your replies.

James

[XGM]

Three vehicles of mine have gone through 11 gaskets sets so far including their originals. Two vehicles covered under warranty, one not. The longest-lived (and least expensive) repair was done by an indie shop, using the old style gasket set. The newest vehicle (a 2003- 3.4) has failed twice, most recently with the new gasket set at the shortest mileage of any of them. I am not optimistic that the problems have been resolved. The 3.5 is also a 60 degree v-6 and is related to the 3.4, this documented on the GM Powertrain site. The newly designed gasket is supposed to be installed per the tsb and ONLY with the new bolt-set. If the old bolts are re-used or the service tech applies loctite to the old bolts, the repair will fail for sure. How long a properly installed new set will last is anyone's guess. Personally I am not buying into any more grief - this is a problem that should have never happened. Anyone with these engines better consider the replacement procedure part of "routine maintenance" and ante up. Note to the GM brass: once these vehicles are gone, I'm not coming back.

[Chevyguy]

You might want to atleast call the Pontiac 800# and let them know. Even if they can't help you now, if there are any recalls etc down the road you would have a file of complaint. Who knows, you might get them to assist you with it since it keeps coming back. Its worth the call I think.

[derek6478]

I have a 2000 Malibu and I am currently changing the gaskets myself. This is not exactly a joy ride, especially in 20 degree Illinios weather. I do engineering work for a large equipment manufacturer and we spend years proving out designs. I don't understand how GM could have missed this epidemic. If they did spend the time needed to prove out the design that means they knew how bad of a problem these would be. If not then they simply practiced poor management practices.

To GM management, I have been a Chevy man since I was old enough to peek over the steering wheel. I had a 1984 chevy truck that has clocked over 300,000 miles and is still running good. After my Malibu is sold or traded I am done with GM. It will take a complete turn around in quality for me to come back.

[luvapontiac]

I have seen many broke down Toyotas on the side of the road. I find it funny that when a Toyota breaks down, nothing is said. If a GM breaks down, the owner wants to go buy a Toyota. Funny eh?

[wpbharry]

Because not many Toyotas ever break down. Unless the owner doesn't ever get it serviced. GM vehicles, on the other hand, have a mind of their own.

Your comment reeks of GM Kool-Aid, Fairy Dust, whatever.

[NorthSilverado]

GM introduced new gaskets in the middle of 2003. The gasket leak on the 3400 is an intake gasket leak, the 3100's were notorious for the head gasket leaking. The leak that devoloped on some 2003-2004 3800's was an intake leak that GM put out sealant tabs to repair. The 3400's in the torrent/equinox have a totally different intake design and are built in china. The new 3500 also has this changed intake design so it should not leak. If you have a 3400 and suspect an intake leak you can see it devoloping by taking a flashlight and looking down near the thermostat housing below the intake manifold and see if coolant is sitting on the outside of the housing or check for sludge in the oil