Gaskets need replacing?
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Gaskets need replacing?
I have been doing some preventitive (and needed) maintenance on my car. New struts at 60K, just had the tranny flushed. Even though I'm sure it'* fine at 63K, it'* good to have it done (though it was more expensive than I thought it would be). I get the oil changed every 2500 miles or so. ..etc
The only thing I would do now, if it wasn't for the $$$, is to change the intake gaskets. I know this engine is prone to problems with them, and I definitely do not want any problems. I also notice that towards the back of the engine especially near the alternator side, and also under the TB, it is very dirty and oily. I get worried that there'* a leak somewhere. Should I just get it over with soon? My coolant level used to go down every few weeks and I wondered where it was going, lately it seems to be ok...knock on wood. Would I be looking at paying $800 for this..or should I try to tackle it myself with a whole day in spring to work on it. Take into account I've never worked on an engine before, with the exception of changing intakes, spark plugs, and wires, and cleaning/painting
Give me some advice, thanks!
The only thing I would do now, if it wasn't for the $$$, is to change the intake gaskets. I know this engine is prone to problems with them, and I definitely do not want any problems. I also notice that towards the back of the engine especially near the alternator side, and also under the TB, it is very dirty and oily. I get worried that there'* a leak somewhere. Should I just get it over with soon? My coolant level used to go down every few weeks and I wondered where it was going, lately it seems to be ok...knock on wood. Would I be looking at paying $800 for this..or should I try to tackle it myself with a whole day in spring to work on it. Take into account I've never worked on an engine before, with the exception of changing intakes, spark plugs, and wires, and cleaning/painting
Give me some advice, thanks!
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Bud If I was closer to NY I'd come help you out... The gaskets are cheap... It would take a while to do the actuall work... The intake, valve covers, and even the rockers have to come off to replace the intake gaskets... This is something I would attempt myself... But it depends on you... If you have never done anything like that, then I woule reccomend that someone with some mechanical skill give you a hand...
Your lower intake end seals may be leaking a little... Not an uncommon probelm on a GM engine...
But the Oil on the throttle body side has me wondering a bit... I have seen the oil pump drive shaft seal( O- Ring ) get brittle over the years and allow oil to seep by... Its a simple fix really...
Your car would be so easy to repair... I'd bet $40 for gaskets and coolant( I'd force you into a new stant thermostat ) and then the work we could do on our own...lol
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Your lower intake end seals may be leaking a little... Not an uncommon probelm on a GM engine...
But the Oil on the throttle body side has me wondering a bit... I have seen the oil pump drive shaft seal( O- Ring ) get brittle over the years and allow oil to seep by... Its a simple fix really...
Your car would be so easy to repair... I'd bet $40 for gaskets and coolant( I'd force you into a new stant thermostat ) and then the work we could do on our own...lol
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Don, I'll look into that o-ring...I remember you saying something about that a while back. I wish you were closer to NY. I want a lower stat but never got one yet because it isn;'t as easy to change it on the 3100...it'* under the TB.
So if parts are that cheap...how long would it take a shop to do this job? I'm going to ask around on that and then decide...At $70/hour labor I wouldn't expect to pay much more than $500 :?
I want a lower stat but never got one yet because it isn;'t as easy to change it on the 3100...it'* under the TB.So if parts are that cheap...how long would it take a shop to do this job? I'm going to ask around on that and then decide...At $70/hour labor I wouldn't expect to pay much more than $500 :?
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I don't know what to tell you... You have a car thats getting old, but it has few miles on it... Anything is possible... 
as for the O-Ring on the oil shaft plug( under the throttle body ), if you replace that, it would be a good time to do the thermostat as well...
The gaskets aren't that expensive... Parts would be pretty cheap... Its the Labor that goes into it that costs$$$... Yeah see if you can find a reputable place that will do it for a good price...
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as for the O-Ring on the oil shaft plug( under the throttle body ), if you replace that, it would be a good time to do the thermostat as well...
The gaskets aren't that expensive... Parts would be pretty cheap... Its the Labor that goes into it that costs$$$... Yeah see if you can find a reputable place that will do it for a good price...
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From: Oshkosh, WI
MARK EVERYTHING!! I did one of those at school with a couple of other classmates. They decided it would be a good idea to just start taking things off and throw them on a bench. (we ended up taking the heads off too because the gaskets were fine and the coolant had to be leaking in somewhere)
Just the gaskets...I'd say a day should be fine. And that'* with taking a couple of "beverage" breaks
Just the gaskets...I'd say a day should be fine. And that'* with taking a couple of "beverage" breaks
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