I have the dreaded 3800 UIM problem on my 97 park avenue with the 3800. One queston for the group I have is I was going to buy LIM gaskets as well as the Dorman upper. Everywhere I go has a first design and second design LIM gasket set by Felpro, or GM at the dealership. No one can tell me which I need. Does anyone here know if there is a difference and which one I should get.

Welcome to the group. Read this techinfo article, and it should answer all of your questions.
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

In short - GM LIM gaskets, APN UIM.

Thanks for the reply, and I did read the article, that is how I found ya'lls website. I went to the dealership on the LIM gasket, and they can't tell me which one I need either, they said it could be first design or second design, and the only way to tell would be to pull the old ones off. Which I will do, I was just hoping to have the parts to fix it before I start. Here is Felpros description, which is the same as the GM dealer told me.

1st Design; w/Rubber end seals w/o Locating pins; Lower set

2nd Design; w/Rubber-plastic end seals w/Locating pins; Lower set

Has anyone else had this issue? Is this only with the 97 3800 engines?

In the long run, just get the one with the locating pins. If your block doesn't have the holes, just cut the pins off (they're just rubber) and everything will be fine.

I used FelPro gaskets with the pin on my '97.

You want to ensure when you put on LIM gaskets ...they are aluminum frame. If they aren't.. they are not the most current design.

Thanks for the info.

BonnevillesSince62, were the Felpros you used aluminum frame? I have the new Felpros in a box, with pins, but if I open it I can't take it back. I figured I would open it once I see if my heads have locating holes or not.

As far as anyone here knows, Felpro does not make an aluminum framed LIM gasket set, so save some time and retiurn those and go to you GM dealer and get the aluminum-framed ones with a part number the same or similar (there is some variation in the part number, but not by more than a couple digits) as the one referenced in the TECHINFO article.

GM just started offering these aluminum-framed replacement gaskets the summer of 2005 and to date, there has been no other place to get them. If you use anything less than the GM aluminum-framed gaskets, you will be assured of having to replace them again in a few years.


GM Aluminum Frame Lower Intake Manifold Gasket set: GM PN# 89017816

As mentioned already, some have found their local GM dealer to carry these with a slightly different P/N, but this will get you where you need to be.

I just got done with this problem. Is it a known fact that the Fel-Pro LIM gasket will fail??? Always thought Fel-Pro made good products.

To date, FelPro LIM gaskets are plastic frame. GM went to aluminum because of the high failure rate of plastic. Please read the Techinfo article #38 linked above.

(BTW, it is better to start a new thread than to reply to threads that have been dormant for many months. That way newer information doesn't get mixed up with older stuff. Don't be surprised if a Moderator locks up this thread and asks you to start a new one.)