Diagnosis and Part Selection Advice:
How did you know this part needed replacement? Why did you choose a certain brand/part number?
Its a common problem on these 3.1L GM engines. On my car I had a bad lifter that prompted me to take the motor apart. It is widely reported in many forums that these engines will develop either coolant or oil leaks, or both. These leaks may be apparent on the outside of the engine, or they may be internal. If left unattended the leaks will get worse, and can result in the engine being destroyed if enough coolant and oil mix....
Part Comments
What came in the box? Were additional nuts, bolts, sealant, etc. needed for the repair?
The $75 Felpro kit had Upper and lower intake gaskets, valve cover gaskets, some o rings. I bought the cheap Dorman kit too. It seems to be the original equipment kit and also comes with new bolts for the lower intake, but no valve cover gaskets. I used the gaskets from the Felpro kit, and the bolts and EGR gasket from the Dorman kit.
Repair / Installation tips:
Special tools needed? Have to remove other parts to reach this one? Any left-hand threads, sharp edges, messy fluids or other pitfalls to avoid?
Took me about 20 hours, though I did do some extra cleaning and other parts replacement as I went. Others have done this job in 10-15 hours.
It is fairly involved as you have to disassemble most of the top side of the engine. I numbered all the wiring connectors, and vacuum lines. I took a lot of pictures in stages as I disassembled different areas. These were very helpful when it came time to put it all back together which was several days after I took it apart. Look out for the O-ring on the rear fuel rail connector, it will pop out and possibly fall down into the darkness... I managed to keep mine as others had warned me about this.The pushrods are 2 different lenghts,be sure to install them properly or engine
damage may result.
Go ahead and buy a serpentine belt tool to remove and reinstall the drive belt.... You MUST have torque wrenches to reassemble everything correctly. You need a little one: 20-200 inch lbs 1/4 inch drive, and a big one 10-150 ft. lbs., 1/2 inch drive. I had to buy a deep socket 15mm and 13 mm to remove certain bolts from studs.... on the motor mount, and on the upper intake, coil pack, and alternator mount.
Get a basic book on the car to general procedure, and safety instructions...
Good Luck!
