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RVThere · 05-01-2014, 09:28 AM

On my class B with a 2001 3500 ExpressVan chassis, I noticed a coolant leak. Tightened up some hoses and seemed to get better but not go away.

Drips appeared up front and less so in the back of the engine. Thought it was the water pump and was in the middle of that job when I took off the dog house and looked at the back of the engine. Saw a leak on the backside of the intake manifold.

I did some research on line and saw that a leaky intake manifold gasket is a VERY common problem in these engines. Even though the engine only has 23k miles on it and drive from NJ to CA and back last summer, the gasket still failed.

Bought new Fel-Pro gaskets and got the manifold back in last night. Very tight working on a van! Will continue to hook everything up tonight.

Also changed the injector system while I had it open. It still had the old SCPI and went to a MPI system that was introduced the next model year. Also putting in a new water pump since I have it!

Hopefully it will be running again soon!

DriVer · 05-02-2014, 04:50 AM

When new engines run through the production line at GM, I have heard that they throw in a couple of (Bars) Stop Leak Tablets for good measure. I don't expect that it's a continuing practice at GM with all their engines however I thought that I would mention it.

The best practice is always to resolve the leak and not to Dutch Boy it. I learned this lesson a few years back.

speed racer · 05-02-2014, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer

When new engines run through the production line at GM, I have heard that they throw in a couple of (Bars) Stop Leak Tablets for good measure. I don't expect that it's a continuing practice at GM with all their engines however I thought that I would mention it.

The best practice is always to resolve the leak and not to Dutch Boy it. I learned this lesson a few years back.

Yes they did this years ago and I don't think it was a bad idea. On the small block chevy with the cast iron head and aluminum manifold they had a lot of problems with the water passage sealing but they have solved that problem now. When replacing this set of gaskets this would be a good time to get the upgraded set from GM.