While poking around under the hood last night I noticed a teaspoon of coolant sitting on the transaxle below the throttle body. At first I thought it was a leak from the throttle body but upon closer inspection it is weeping from a small rectangular cover plate attached to the intake manifold directly below the throttle body. It has two small 8 mm bolts attaching it. Of course I couldn't get at these bolts without removing the exhaust crossover pipe. On removing the rear two bolts, both of them galled and stripped out...damn. Just puts me one step closer to those headers.
Does anyone know what this aluminum cover plate is for??? Seems like it'* a leak just waiting to happen.....and it did!

The gm service site indicates this as the Manifold Coolant cover, there is a gasket. Just below this is the coolent sensor.

Yeah, its just a plate and a gasket. I don't know why its there, but maybe its to allow you to drain out coolant or something? All I know is that we never had to use it even when we pulled off the intake manifold on the GTP, so its pretty useless, and isn't really necessary. But thats just my opinion.

Shawn

Well this little leak may be a blessing in disguise.
I've just removed the front exhaust manifold....finally got those plug wires off :P .....
Wife is all sympathetic what with the disgusting appearance of the stock rusted manifold and the stripped studs and is agreeing to let me loose now.
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so I've ordered my ZZP headers. Probably will have to wait a couple of weeks for them to arrive, but that will give me time to seal up this useless cover and remove my rear exhaust manifold which will be a little more difficult IMO.

Well, I've finished sealing up the intake manifold coolant plate.
While I was at it I removed the throttle body because I was concerned with the possibility of leaking into the intake.
It looks like it had been leaking a little too.
Sure was a lot of carbon and grime in there. It was worth it to remove it for a cleaning, even with as low mileage as I have. I'm sure now, with the EGR bypass, that it won't be getting that dirty again. Now I know why it'* necessary to do in order to keep an intercooler heat exchanger clean.
This really pisses me off..........there shouldn't be this kind of premature leaking in an almost new vehicle.
I really hope that GM designers monitor this site for some feedback.

I wonder if they do monitor us?
That was kinda sneaky with the rusted manifolds but we gotta do what we gotta do

The ONLY GM Employee I know of "Montitoring" this site is ME! LOL

Out of what, a Canadian dealership?

Nice job with the headers btw!

I just picked up the replacement throttle body gasket and notice that there is a bead of sealant running around all the holes....but only on the side that contacts the throttle body. :?

Do you guys recommend that I use additional high temp silicone sealant to ensure a long term leak tight seal against the manifold. :?: I am planning to apply a light coating.

I dont see why that would hurt? the bead now goes against the throttle body so the blank aluminum wouldnt be hindered by a little dab?