96 tahoe prob.
 

I spend the better part of the day yesterday tearing off my intake manifold yesterday to replace the gasket that caused an impressive coolant leak,I'm talking like 2 gallons in like a minute.
What a pain in the ass! I've never hd an intake leak coolant like that. I hate all the emmisions and computor control b.s. I wasted half a day playing with fuel and electrical connecters.
Is there anyone else out there that doesn't care what anyone says about emmisions control and computors, and would rather work on a carb. motor.Its not that fuel inj. and D.I.S. ign. is to complicated, its just to much to fail. and not worth the benifits. If you get a good carburator thats dialed in right and get the timing right, It'll run just as good as inj. and better throttle resp.
my .02 :D

I do agree with ya to a point...but i like EFI due to the fact its constantly adjusting to its conditions for optimal performance.....true the trucks are set for all around economy for the everyday joe shmo...but if you set it up corectly you can get some very impressive results from EFI....and you just plud a diagnostic computer in and it will tell ya whats wrong.....not the tried and true "well its running ruough....so...it might be the carb...or my plugs are the wrong heat range....etc.."
But i do know where your coming from on all the BS thats added on the engines now a days. :)

Wally: You'r right about the Ability to adjust to conditions. About the diagnosis though, If you know your engines by plugs, carb and timing you can tell whats wrong just like the scanner does. I just hate the stupid **** that you run into like bad grounds, that throws codes for things sending you chasing in the wrong direction.

I have a 1995 Tahoe with the same problem, just a slower leak. Mine is the last year of TBI, so it should be easier, but I'm still not looking forward to it. Everyone says that if you own a Blazer/Tahoe/Suburban up to 1999, it's not if you will be replacing the intake gasket, but when.....

Intake:
 

JO: isn't that a plastic intake on the Tahoe 5.7 l ?

I have 95k miles and no probs. knok on woody.

Wannabe

The uppr plenum is plastic the lower is alum. I did'nt sepertare them, I just took off as a whole. Also there is a big alloy bracket for the a/c comp. To remove it You have to take the fan shroud off to remove the pressed on p/s/ pump pulley. Sounded like alot of work to me so I "modified" the bracket with a sawzall.:D :eureka: :eek: saved me prolly a couple of hours.

Where was it leaking into/on?
 

Was it losing the fluid? Had to be, that much the engine cannot "digest" through a cylinder.

Wow, I will watch for this on my Tahoe.

Wannabe

Boy, I sure do feel lucky. I've got a 95 Tahoe that just turned 183,000 miles this morning on the way to work. It's been tuned up once and I had to replace the alternator. Other than that- maintenance free:D :D :D I surely thought that I would have had to replace the engine by now, but I swear it still runs like it's brand new. Of course it will blow up on the way home tonight!! :eek: :eek:

Craig

I forgot to mention something that my Dad taught me. Changing the oil every 3000 miles does help. I towed my boat for 4 hours straight at 2800-3000 rpms a couple of weeks ago and got 13 mpg. :cool:

That's great. I have 150K on mine. Runs great, burns almost no oil. The reason the leak started I think is because the overflow hose from the radiator to the overflow tank for clogged for a period of time with buildup. I think the pressure got high enough and the anti-freeze had to go somewhere (was also leaking out of the cap). Cleared the line but now leaks out of the front of the intake (but not in the oil). Dreading changing it......

Like I said, I know that I got lucky with this one. I have never had to add a drop of oil between changes. What sucks is that i'm looking for a bigger boat that will require me to get a big block Burb and will get next to nothing for the Tahoe.:( A wholesaler told me that I would be lucky to get 4500 out of it. As clean as it is, I'll make lawn furniture out of it before giving it away.:D :D

Re: Where was it leaking into/on?
 

For a while I was smelling coolant with none in the oil or apearing to leak externally, finally it let go. The coolant was filling the galley between the intake and the valve cover. It looks like the gasket seperated at the rear water passage on the drivers side.

Hang in there!
 

It will be worth it all when you are the lake with the rest of us at Alum!:D

This is so true, some engines mored than others. I work for a saturn dealer and I can't count how many cars we've put engines in with only 50K or less:eek: due to lack of oil changes, yet we have a ton of customers that change every 3k and are anywhere from 100,000-570,000, yes 570k with original motors.
BTW: 13mpg. is pretty good, I haven't towed my boat any long distance with this truck yet, I'd be glad to see that mpg. How much does your boat weigh?

Luv-N-It: just make sure your tuned up :eek: :eek: :eek: :D :D

GM has had several intake problems as of late. 3.1's.3.4's.5.7's.4.3's.its all the same problem. Dissimiliar metals and a lousy plastic gasket design. That and that dam dexcool(tradename aluminum eater) coolant that everyone ignores. We do about 100 intake reseal a year here on gm products.

Me too. I typically get around 12 MPG. I'll be ready son. You get your ass down here. Closing on refinance May 6th. Hmmm....what am I going to do with $600 xtra a month and $4000.00 back at the closing.....................????????????

Now, what were you talking about Marting?:D :eek: :D :eek:

Hmmm....what am I going to do with $600 xtra a month and $4000.00 back at the closing.....................????????????
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I know, you can buy the beer.:D

I know, you can buy the beer.:D [/B][/QUOTE]

Get down here son. I'll buy, but you have to get down here!

It's a Formula 223. Advertised weight is 3750 for the boat.

I feel your pain. I helped my brother tear down a 92' Corvette LT1 a couple of years ago. He blew a head gasket so we had to pull the intake all the emmissions and FI stuff and the heads. If there is a good side to it we took the opportunity to do some performance work while we were there. It was quite a job for us "Shade Tree" mechanics but in retrospect at least I can say " New Corvette motor... Yeah, I've torn em down and built them back up..." Makes good conversation...