Hi All,

First time here and very happy to have joined.

I do about 70 percent of my own work but have never done this and need some advice.

So the car has been fantastic with over 186,000 miles. Engine never touched and is mostly original even with original alternator.

So I overheated it a couple of weeks ago and pulled it over immediately and identified the source of the leak right near the throttle body. I was informed that the leak is in the throttle body cooling loop. Its leaking right where the tb and upper intake meet. I never realized the throttle body had coolant running through it but it does for both freeze prevention and pollution control.

Some guys like to block it off completely, I just want to fix the leak. I have also heard that the lower and upper intake manifolds do not need to come out. The upper is dry by design so that does make sense.

I did see a video on you tube but it didn't demonstrate anything, just talked. Guy had a leak at the thermostat housing gasket and then discovered another leak at the throttle body where mine is and used RTV to form a gasket.

What is your advice and does this all make sense?

Please be as detailed as possible as this is a new issue for me.

Thanks much and I greatly appreciate the information.

Pull it off and fix it. Just take off the stuff needed to remove it.

am i just pulling off the tb? and how am i fixing it?

Pull the TB off, replace the gasket, reinstall. While the TB is off, now is a good time to run some carb/choke cleaner through it. Especially where the IAC valve sits.

Coolant leak close to the throttle body, are we not talking about replacing the upper intake manifold gasket?

Hi guys and thanks. Since its leaking up there, I hope the gasket works. I have read posts from the past where it has.

The upper intake is dry and coolant runs through the tb so the gasket should work for the tb.

Its funny some other opinions I have gotten from people.

Mechanics will tell you that you have to change both the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets due to the risk of them going. Of course! its a money maker and they go anyway
but they might not go for years. But if they do go, mechanic could find himself in hot water since that is what is recommended.

Finally, one guy told me he blocks it off completely with jb weld and some dimes so there is no coolant going up to the tb at all.

I hope you have better luck than I have had with my Pk Ave.
'There were times I thought I needed a truck load of Prestone coolant to keep in the trunk, just to in case it was going to spring another leak somewhere, over the last 5 years.
I've replaced the LIM &, UIM now twice, with the Dorman metal elbows/ Dorman Intake, and then continuing thermostat housing leaks.
I've blown heater hoses in-between & replaced upper & lower rad hoses again/ thermostat, what fun!

On your engine, it is not a matter of if the LIM and UIM gaskets will fail, its a matter of when. If your mechanic is knowledgeable about the 3800, his recommendation to replace these gaskets is good advice, and not necessarily just a money grab.

oh yes, i'm not debating that at all guys. I'm just saying i won't do a job like that unless necessary. this car has almost 187,000 miles with original alternator, fuel pump, p/* pump, brake master cylinder, and starter. Just did the water pump at 179,000 and a/c compressor. just changed the plugs @ 170, 000 miles. transmission rebuilt @ 141,000. changed 1 coil and not the other 2 yet and i know i'll get grief for that but there strong. This is by far the best vehicle i have ever owned in many ways.

if i do the tb gasket and that fixes the problem, great. If not, i'll go to upper manifold since that leak is coming from where the tb and and upper intake meet. I'll also try to attach a picture here. Please offer up opinions and info.

Best Regards

so this is the area with the leak. Thermostat housing at front, throttle body to right side and upper intake to left. The coolant is dripping from the black area in that middle section.