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Are the SSEi models prone to UIM failure or just the na 3800

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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 03:45 PM
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Default Are the SSEi models prone to UIM failure or just the na 3800

I figure sine the blower is the upper intake manifold that only the N/A motors were effected by this degisn flaw.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 03:46 PM
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No they are prone to LIM gasket failure.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 04:15 PM
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SSEi'* with DEXcool are prone to early LIM gasket failures. Not the Series 1 cars with the green coolant. They should last well over 100k.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 04:36 PM
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Early failure isn't 100,000+ miles. And that'* what most are seeing before dexcool degrades the gaskets too badly. If you have the green coolant, there are plenty here that have seen seepage and leaks around 100,000 and over as well as the dexcooled cars. The nice thing about the SC motors is typically you choose when the LIM gaskets are replaced. They might seep, they might be starting to go bad, they don't usually just give out.

Now internally where you can't see it.. the dexcool gaskets we typically see are in poor condition after around 100K miles. This weekend I saw a car with original dexcool at 120K miles an the gaskets looked great.

The supercharger being metal isn't prone to the same heat and cracking as the pllastic NA intake.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 05:26 PM
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I think it is also important to add that SSEi'* don't have a UIM, hence why it does not fail. The lowers though are a different story when you have a SII. But since you don't have dex-cool, you should be fine for quite some time.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Logan
I think it is also important to add that SSEi'* don't have a UIM

well i think you might be correct.....BUT the SC would be technically called the UIM
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 05:35 PM
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I had a 92 SSEi for a brief period of time a year ago. The car only had 66,000 miles, but needed a new SC gasket and coupler. Since I already had the SC off, I decided to replace the LIM gaskets. I was VERY surprised at what I saw....the LIM gaskets were severly deformed.

Please don't think that just because you don't use DexCool that you won't have LIM gasket failures. IMO, GM used a very shotty plastic composite for their gaskets. I'm sure DexCool doesn't help the deterioration, but it isn't wholly to blame, either.
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by vital49
Please don't think that just because you don't use DexCool that you won't have LIM gasket failures. IMO, GM used a very shotty plastic composite for their gaskets. I'm sure DexCool doesn't help the deterioration, but it isn't wholly to blame, either.
correct at 60,000 miles my LIM gaskets failed with the green stuff
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Old Jan 30, 2007 | 05:56 PM
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Then you have the cases where the gaskets are so good-looking, they might be reinstalled after 100k. Mine on the 93 literally looked that good.
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