'98 SE Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement
07-22-2016, 03:29 PM
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'98 SE Intake Manifold Gasket Replacement
I just finished LIM & UIM gasket replacement for my '98 SE (no super charger). I found instructions on another forum. It'* a good thing that I copied the whole deal to my HD and made a 42 page PDF complete with photos, table of contents and even an index because now I can't seem to open up it on the forum it came from.
Without it, I doubt I could have been successful. The guy who created it in the first place (Bill Buttermore from Ames, Iowa) really did a credible job. Even so, I found some things he didn't mention and, after I finished the job, I added information I thought was relevant (in italics) and added more photos I thought would be helpful.
The only problems I had were my errors, not Mr. Buttermore'*. I crossed up #3 & #5 plug wires and that caused a big explosion inside the brand new upper IM. After that was corrected it just wouldn't start. I replaced the fuel pressure regulator because I read on a Pontiac forum that there was a 2005 recall on it. No luck; it still wouldn't start.
I was about to try a new MAF sensor because I read an yet another forum that a backfire could blow out the thin wire coils in the MAF but my Federated parts girl recommend I try new plugs first since the MAF was $170 my cost and the low end plugs (Autolite) were only $2 each. Even at my age I'm smart enough to know that $12 is worth the gamble to save $170. With new plugs only on the easy side, it started right up. I killed it immediately and installed the even numbered side. What I do not understand is the engine was running fine on those old plugs before the LIM gasket ruptured. How could they go bad just sitting on my workbench for a few weeks?
I had drained off the old oil. There was no water in it despite the fact that it was coming out of the #1 plug hole like a fire hose when I turned it over way back when I started the job. I put in three quarts of straight 30 weight and a low end Walmart filter and drove it for about 20 minutes. I drained that off and put in fresh, good quality oil and a brand name filter. It now runs like a new engine.
So than, I'm glad to share the PDF with anyone who is interested in doing the job once I add all my notations and the new photos. Send me an email with something relevant in the subject line and I'll send back the PDF.
Without it, I doubt I could have been successful. The guy who created it in the first place (Bill Buttermore from Ames, Iowa) really did a credible job. Even so, I found some things he didn't mention and, after I finished the job, I added information I thought was relevant (in italics) and added more photos I thought would be helpful.
The only problems I had were my errors, not Mr. Buttermore'*. I crossed up #3 & #5 plug wires and that caused a big explosion inside the brand new upper IM. After that was corrected it just wouldn't start. I replaced the fuel pressure regulator because I read on a Pontiac forum that there was a 2005 recall on it. No luck; it still wouldn't start.
I was about to try a new MAF sensor because I read an yet another forum that a backfire could blow out the thin wire coils in the MAF but my Federated parts girl recommend I try new plugs first since the MAF was $170 my cost and the low end plugs (Autolite) were only $2 each. Even at my age I'm smart enough to know that $12 is worth the gamble to save $170. With new plugs only on the easy side, it started right up. I killed it immediately and installed the even numbered side. What I do not understand is the engine was running fine on those old plugs before the LIM gasket ruptured. How could they go bad just sitting on my workbench for a few weeks?
I had drained off the old oil. There was no water in it despite the fact that it was coming out of the #1 plug hole like a fire hose when I turned it over way back when I started the job. I put in three quarts of straight 30 weight and a low end Walmart filter and drove it for about 20 minutes. I drained that off and put in fresh, good quality oil and a brand name filter. It now runs like a new engine.
So than, I'm glad to share the PDF with anyone who is interested in doing the job once I add all my notations and the new photos. Send me an email with something relevant in the subject line and I'll send back the PDF.
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