I've had my 99 Pontiac Montana diagnosed to have a leaking intake manifold gasket. Cost to replace is about $700. Does this seem right? Can I let it go? Or get 'stop leak'?
2007-01-08 05:26:57 · 3 answers · asked by Fred H 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If you have a 3400 series engine or 3.4L V6 engine you can tell when you open the hood its right on top for the numbers. This engine is Prone to Intake gasket leaks due to The dex cool antifreeze... If you don't change the anti freeze it turns acidic and it eats the plastic and silicone Gaskets and thats exactly what your intake manifold gasket is made from. Im going to guess its leaking on one of the four corners of the engine. It will either spill coolant from the outside of the engine or the inside of the engine or Both to check pull out the oil dipstick if it looks like a Chocolate shake its really bad. and it will harm the engine bearings. I have repaired a 1999 Grand AM with the 3.4 3400 series engine with the same exact problem. The gasket is $60 the coolant is $20 and the oil and Oil filter will run about $15 to $20 since the oil is and will be contaminated with coolant when repairing this. If you have someone in the family to repair this problem it will be about $170 $200 for everything you need. Heres a Tip don't use the Dex cool antifreeze just use the Antifreeze that says it will mix with any color and any type of antifreeze to prevent this from going again. And make sure you tell the Shop this if you decide for them to do it. And $700 is reasonable sound about right due to changing the oil and flushing the Raidiator and filling it. And they will also have to Move the power steering pump out of the way. and take apart the top half of the Engine about 5hrs to 6 hours of work. Remember these people usually want a paycheck to take home to take care of their families.
2007-01-08 06:07:42 · answer #1 · answered by James S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON'T USE STOP LEAK!!! that stuff does more harm than good. You'll end up plugging up the heater core. Yes, it needs to be fixed. This is a very common problem on these engines. IF you loet it go, you'll damage the engine.
2007-01-08 13:32:52 · answer #2 · answered by bbking48507 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
thats about the going price just make sure they use fel-pro gasket # ms98003t.... this is a new style gasket and will fix the problem from happing again............ get it fix butt make sure they use that part # i hope this helps
2007-01-08 13:54:52 · answer #3 · answered by JOSH 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋