Alright guys, I finally had some time this weekend to take the pretty engine cover off and check out the intake.....and sure enough, I am concerned!

The intake on this car was replaced at 6,000 miles on the clock. From there it has NOT been replaced. The date stamp on the top is definitely 96.

My question is.....if its lasted this long, should I replace the darn thing? It'* lasted 110k.....kinda scary if you ask me. BUT...if it lasted this long, whos to say it wouldn't go another 100k?

Suggestions would be welcome

i dunno what to tell ya man, ive still got the original one too, and im pushin 140,000....im not real concerned with it though. i often dare the thing to crack

if it was replaced at a dealer, than you don't really need to worry, cause they actually looked at what causes the problems, not just the symptopm (upper intake failure *is* a symptom, not the problem). if it was done by a non-gm dealer, than keep your eye on the overflow tank, but don't replace that sucker until it fails...

matt

It doesn't matter if a dealer did it or not. If it was made in 96, it'* the old inferior failure-prone intake design.

Keep an eye on your coolant level, and if you notice any consumption, pull your EGR input tube, and inspect. Be ready to go with one of the aftermarket or improved designs. It might be today, it might be in 3 years.

a 180° thermostat and tranny cooler can delay or possibly prevent the inevitable.

Thanks guys for your comments. Bill, that was my thought too. I figure I should order one of those intakes and just keep it around. Maybe I'll even be proactive and replace it in the Fall.

If you have the budget to buy it, consider doing it before summer. If this problem sneaks up on you, there can be some lower bearing engine damage from water/rust before you know it.

i just now read this thread (hey, that ryhmes) anyway, help me out guys...am i toast? i have been consuming coolant ever since i bought the car (bought at 119k..now has 136k)...i thought it was a leak, so i put some sealer in it...then a week later flushed the system...i'm still consuming coolant, and there is gunk inside the overflow tank and a water line....i also hear a horrendous metal-on-metal sound occasionally...sounds kind of like the water pump is failing...it sounds like someone is letting a piece of tin rub against the spinning blades of a metal fan....i absolutely will not pay $1100 to fix this...i'll get rid of the car...so let me know...

mr bean...is he baked?
:(

Thats another concern. The upper intake was replaced with 6k on the clock (saw the warranty claims from the GM website) and I'm curious if there is any damage from that problem. Do you think if there was damage, it would have reared its ugly head after 110k in mileage?