[3100 MPFI]

the throttle body lines is not true. My 3.1 in my STE gets REALLY hot to the touch after only 5 minutes, and I removed those lines and bypassed them.

The upper intake on my 1996 Grand Prix stayed cool after 5 minutes and it DID have the throttle body lines.

IT is those gaskets.

And the felpro ones I saw only had silicone inserts, but too much exposed metal. Have not seen any other felpro ones.

[3400-95-Modified]

later 96 3100's have coolant lines going to the TB... I think it was only 94 and 95 that did not have these coolant lines.

[dodgerunner]

Originally Posted by 3100 MPFI

And the felpro ones I saw only had silicone inserts, but too much exposed metal. Have not seen any other felpro ones.

OK I have not seen these metal ones. The ones I picked up from Oreily's where the plastic with the inserts. Are these not any good?

What are the dealer ones like, are they the metal with inserts?

[3400-95-Modified]

The ones you got look just like the dealer ones, they should be just fine.

[pontiac3100]

the felpros i'm talking about is'nt the insert one's....
i never heard of those

[3100 MPFI]

Here is the GM ones. They are solid black, and have 2 small metal inserts on the side bolt holes to keep the gasket from getting crushed.

[dodgerunner]

Thanks for the pictures now I'm confused what to do. I think I might want to do the dealer ones after seeing how they are built and what happen to mine. .
Here is the one that was leaking. It split down to the valley.


Every one of the coolant ports look basically the same.

And yes I alway replace the oil pump o-ring. They leak on the Fiero distributors the same way. The o-rings done last forever.

Now I have to decide what I do.
Take the Felpro back and get the dealer ones or try the Felpro again without the rtv.

Update....
Took the Fellpro's back and got the GM lower. Looks like the spacer will be an improvement in the design.

[pontiac3100]

that looks straight plastic (the gm one). is'nt this the reaso they're leaking in the first place.
becuase the plastic softens and hardens and within all of this it cracks.....

[torq455]

the newer ones i think are composite, but not sure. mine just cracked, didn't crush like in the pix. just be sure to clean, clean, clean the LIM to the block with brake cleaner!! then use these revised torque specs:

This bulletin is being revised to change the model Information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-06-01-010A (Section 06 - Engine).

Condition

Some owners may comment on an apparent oil or coolant leak. Additionally, the comments may range from spots on the driveway to having to add fluids.

Cause

Intake manifold may be leaking allowing coolant, oil or both to leak from the engine.

Correction

Install a new design intake manifold gasket. The material used in the gasket has been changed in order to improve the sealing qualities of the gasket. When replacing the gasket, the intake manifold bolts must also be replaced and torqued to a revised specification. The new bolts will come with a pre-applied threadlocker on them.

Notice

An oil leak may result if the vertical bolts are not tightened before the diagonal bolts.

Diagonal bolts may require a crows foot to tighten.

Tighten

1. Tighten the vertical lower intake manifold bolts (1) to 7N·m (62 lb in).
2. Tighten the diagonal lower intake manifold bolts (2) to 7N·m(62 lb in).
3. Tighten the vertical lower intake manifold bolts (1) to 13N·m(115 lb in).
4. Tighten the diagonal lower intake manifold bolts (2) to 25N·m(18 lb ft).

Parts Information

Part Number Description Qty
89017279 Intake manifold Gasket 1
11588915 Intake manifold bolt - short 4
11588914 Intake manifold bolt - long 4

[tractorman]

I've done this LIM job on three vehicles, and in my opinion the problem lies in the fact that these gaskets are plastic. I'm sure that the new GM gaskets are improved... but they're still plastic.

Considering how much trouble this job is, I personally wouldn't put plastic gaskets back in. Felpro 'problem saver' gaskets are metal with rubber sealing beads. The heat-transfer issue is pure nonsense... there is VERY little metal-to-metal contact. The gaskets are made from metal that's about 1/3 as thick as those plastic gaskets, with fairly thick rubber sealing beads on each side. The only metal-to-metal contact is in the built-in tabs that prevent excess crush... similar to the improved GM gaskets.

But whichever improved design you choose (GM or Felpro "problem saver"), I wouldn't reccommend putting those old-style cheap felpro's in. You're just setting yourself up to re-do the job in a few years should you keep the car.