MommyTaz022200 Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 I have a 1993 DOHC 3.4L Grand Prix LE, vin code X. I am trying to find either a different intake manifold gasket set, that has no plastic or rubber on it, or to buy a Performance Intake Manifold that has a non-plastic/rubber gasket. Right now my car has no engine mods to it. I was wondering if anyone knew of any place that makes either the gasket or a performance intake for the engine. I can only seem to find them for 3.4L rear wheel drives, like the Camero or Firebird has. I need to change my gasket because it is melting. Apparently this was a common gasket flaw, but more known after 1996 when the DexCool Antifreeze was used. GM lists a replacement gasket for the 1996+ 3.4L but says nothing about any changes to the Gasket for pre-1996 when DexCool wasn’t used. DexCool makes the gasket fail much faster, but over time the gasket will melt even with the “Green†antifreeze. I would greatly appriciate some help. A link to a site, or just who makes it. The part number would be helpful too, but I'll look for it otherwise. I just want to get my car to stop using a gallon of gas every 10 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redfox340 Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 Ebay or a Dealer... that's my two known sources. After time, old coolant will do such things; pain in the ass, huh? I think running a cooler thermostat and changing the coolant frequently will help out your situtation. I just want to get my car to stop using a gallon of gas every 10 miles. Completed a decent tune-up lately? - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommyTaz022200 Posted August 9, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 The car started burning a ton of gas immediatly after replacing the Wires, Plugs, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Valve Cover Gaskets, EGR gasket, upper intake gasket, and an oil change. I bought the car out of the Newspaper a month ago today. I thought it was a great deal, $1,075 with 110,200 miles. It's got power everything including driver's seat and sun/moon roof, an interior that looks like new. I was told by the seller that it had some minor problems, and that was why the price was so low. The hood was blue due to an accident with a deer, the passenger side door won't open from the outside handle, some very small patches of surface rust, the front brakes and serpintine belt in need of replacement. I have always wanted a Grand Prix, and even with the problems he told me about the car was definatly worth fixing. (And my 1991 Escort with 100K+ miles was bairley running) The first tank of gas I got about 350 miles on, almost all highway. During that time I replaced the serpintine belt. Then I did the brakes, and I ended up doing the front and back pads, rotors, and calipers (the back had half the pad left but the calipers were seized and rotors warped) While doing the brakes I noticed both mufflers had holes in them, so I had them replaced the next day. With the mufflers forcing ALL the exhaust out of the tailpipes I noticed how the car ran funny, kind of a putt putt sound, so I figured it needed a tune-up. I removed the plug wire to confirm by looking at the plugs and to my surprise oil was running down the portion of the wire that had been in the engine. I bought a Haynes book for referance to unbury the valve cover in the back and so I knew what other gaskets I would need. I got all of the parts for the tune-up, valve cover gasket kit, EGR gasket, and an oil change (might as well include it while I'm at it) and spent the day tearing the car apart and putting it back together. After fixing all that, the car continues to putt- putt, and now burns excessive amounts of gas and the SES light comes on. I found out about the intake gasket problem from a good friend who owns his own repair shop. I was telling him about the persistant and new problems, and he told me to check it. A small spray of WD-40 confirmed the leaking gasket. My friend doesn't list any non-plastic/rubber gasket options, neither do any of the parts stores or internet. So I decided that if I need to buy a performance intake to get any other gasket I am willing to go that route also. That brings me to the problem of finding one. I will be getting an antifreeze flush and fill as soon as I replace the gasket, since the antifreeze will need to be removed anyway. I also will be getting the transmission flushed and the filter replaced, just because I don't know when it was done last. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 The loaded LE strikes again!! Welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redfox340 Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 With those replaced, I, too am shock that it's a gas hog. I'd replace the Oxygen (O2) Sensor and re-set the ECM to factory specs (pull fuse or negative battery cable overnight). What SES trouble codes are you coming up with? Circuits related to the parts you replaced? - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommyTaz022200 Posted August 9, 2003 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 The loaded LE strikes again!! Welcome Thanks Brian P What SES trouble codes are you coming up with? I haven't checked the codes yet. My mechanic friend lives about 45 miles away from me. I don't have the gas to go out there for him to check the codes. All of the work that has been done (except the mufflers) I have done. When I said I got a Haynes book, I don't mean that I am clueless on how to fix the car, I just wanted a referance because every engine is slightly different. (And this one gives very little room to work with, so tips on the easiest way to get to something is helpful) My first car was a 1985 Cavalier. At the time I could only afford either the labor or part to fix it usually. Since paying for the part was the only way to fix a problem I learned how to fix a car quickly. At 230K miles the engine died, but I loved the car and a new one would mean I wouldn't know exactally where the parts were or what noises meant what, I decided to fix the car. I got a good used engine from a junk yard and did almost the entire install myself. I would have finished it myself, but I was 7 months pregnant when I started, and my son was born before I could finish (just the radiator, fan, and starter left) After his birth by emergancy c-section I was too sore to work on the car so a friend finished it up for me. (My only ride) So I am not the typical "girly" type. I know on my Cavalier if I took a piece of speaker wire and put it into the leads on the diagnostic plug I could pull the codes from the SES light flashes. I am not sure if that would work on my GP, and am unsure which two leads are the right ones. On my Cavalier there were only two holes on the plug that had leads, my GP plug isn't as simple. I am concidering just rebuilding my engine. I will be getting alnost $4,000 in two weeks and after bills I will still have about half of it left. I have only started the car about 10 times since I replaced the gaskets putting less then 50 miles on in total, so I should be able to reuse them. It seems to replace the intake gaskets I will have half the engine apart anyway, I might as well. At least then I will know that the engine has the fluids changed when they are suppose to. (Then I could skip the coolant flush too, since my radiator isn't in real good condition) I'm going to check into the price of the parts before I decide. I want to make sure I have enough money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby1870 Posted August 9, 2003 Report Share Posted August 9, 2003 What you did with your cavalier to check the codes will work on your GP. Get a paper clip and connect, two leads, they are side by side and I *think* the bottom right two leads on your diagnostic connector. If its not the bottom right two, its the top right two, but there should be a diagram of the diagnostic connector in your Haynes as well as what each code means. Good Luck! Robby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redfox340 Posted August 10, 2003 Report Share Posted August 10, 2003 I know on my Cavalier if I took a piece of speaker wire and put it into the leads on the diagnostic plug I could pull the codes from the SES light flashes. I am not sure if that would work on my GP, and am unsure which two leads are the right ones. On my Cavalier there were only two holes on the plug that had leads, my GP plug isn't as simple. Oh, but it is easy, and Robby is correct. The dignostic grounds are side-by-side and can find out within minutes like your J-Body. You'll notice on Computer Dignostics (OBDI) there are two ports next to each other (on the row). Those you'll want to connect. Piece of cake. - Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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