Was wondering if anyone nearby would be willing to travel here ( Erie, PA ) to help me out. I think I have a bad UIM (suprise, suprise). I have a lot of money into my car already in repairs and really can't afford to take it to a garage for the repairs. I called Advanced Auto and they have the Dorman Kit for $150, which I can definately afford. I really love my Bonnie, but if I were to have to take this to a garage for repairs I will probably be junking her. I really don't want to have to do that.
So, as the Mrs and I try to figure out what we should do, we are weighing all of our options. As I said, if I can get some help with the repairs, we can afford the parts. I also need a new wheel bearing on the front, and I got someone who can help with that but I need help with the UIM. The biggest problem is that it is out front of my house and I have no garage to work in and I don't know how the weather will be. I would be looking to do this next weekend or the weekend after and was just trying to see if anyone could and would help. Let me know so I can try to figure out what to do.
Couldn't really afford to pay anyone, but could provide lunch and refreshments.

Forget the Dorman kit. It'* a temporary solution. You need the Dillon (PM Bob Dillon here) or the APN kit.

If I were closer, I'd be there in a heartbeat.

X2

I agree about the Dillon or APN upper, and sorry...just a bit too much distance. However, I'd bet that we'd be able to "talk you through it" here.

Don't know about talking me through it. My mechanical abilities are holding flashlights and handing someone the right tool!
What'* the difference between the the Dorman kit and the Dillon or APN?
I did a search and it appears that the Dillon kit repairs the plastic elbow thing. I just had mine replaced about 6 weeks or so at dealer.
So, can I get away with the Dorman kit? What about the LIM, how much more is that and can I get it at a local parts store?

If your manifold did go out....GET THAT OIL OUT ASAP!!

Yeah, you could get away with a Dorman kit, but if you have a few days to wait on the mail order, why would you want to? The Dorman stovepipe is a direct fit for 99 and newer L36 engines, but will not fit your car without fitting an adapter ring that is not available off-the-shelf. The Dorman EGR bore is not protected with a heat shield. The APN kit has a factory metal sleeved bore around the hot EGR stovepipe that functions as a heat shield and keeps the plastic underneath from deteriorating. The APN kit comes with a reduced diameter stovepipe that will fit your '95 lower intake manifold bore with no machining. This will provide you with an insulating gap of .125" between the hot stovepipe and the heat shield in the upper. The kit comes with a new upper intake manifold gasket and a new throttle body gasket and costs less than $100. You will probably pay $15 shipping, but it is still less than the Dorman.

You would pay about $40 for the UIM gasket, $5 for the throttle body gasket and at least $15 for the stovepipe if you could find one. That leaves you paying about $55 for a NEW, factory sleeved upper intake manifold delivered to your door. It is not just the least costly option, it is the BEST off-the-shelf option you could choose. Add GM dealer aluminum frame lower intake manifold gaskets for about $60, and a new coolant elbow for $5, and your UIM/LIM seals will outlast the rest of the car.

Even if you don't do this yourself, buy the APN kit and have it installed. You will not be sorry. Here'* a view of the APN stovepipe and metal sleeved upper (thanks, Arbelac) You can see how the plastic is protected from the hot exhaust gas that passes through the stovepipe by the large insulating gap and the metal shield.
Please read this for Techinfo article for background and for a link to the APN site: http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

So I have read everything. I am still a bit confused. If I buy the APN kit will I need to get anyhting else? I did just have a new elbow put on not too long ago. What else do I need and where do I get it?
Lastly, I still need to find someone to help me. I know there are several memebers within two to three hours away.

The APN kit will have everything you need for the upper. You SHOULD also replace your LIM gaskets while you're in that far, or you could have the coolant problem again from them later. You SHOULD also dump the DEXcool and replace it with Prestone Long-Life Dex-compatible.

The DEX is eating your gaskets.

Well, I called the garage up the road and they quoted just under $600 for parts and labor. Never used them before so I don't know how acurate they are going to be. I have two other garages that I would rather use but they are about 20 or 40 miles away. SInce the car won't start, I don't think I want to pay the tow truck bill. Might be worth it if the labor rate is different enough though. I am just to scared to find out what it would cost to tow it.
Wish me luck.
I think I am getting it fixed, but it'll be a few more weeks before I can get the money.
Until then, I am relying on Public Transporation Sometimes my mom lets us use her car, a 2001 Me So B*tchie Galant. Not a bad car, a little small for me. But that is a topic for another thread.