intake manifold gasket scared

[irondiezl3]

can this be what caused the car to have poorer gas milege because there was also a vaccuum leak? they changed both fluids so should i be all set now?

[zzyzzx]

From Wilipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_60-Degree_V6_engine#LA1

The 3.4 L engine is known to be unreliable, usually the result of premature failure of intake manifold gaskets and head gaskets.[citation needed] There have also been instances of piston skirt failure.[citation needed]

So if I understand this thread, I should change out a crappy piece of plastic someplace with a metal one, right? I'm going to be getting one of these sometime soon, and it 's a 1999 with 19,000 miles on it.. Or should I wait for it to break first?

[[ion] C2]

You can wait for it to break, but expect it.

[bigdaddyD]

whats the average life expectancy for the stock plastic to break?

[[ion] C2]

all across the board

[Cliff8928]

Originally Posted by bigdaddyD

whats the average life expectancy for the stock plastic to break?

I have just about 40,000 on stock '99 gaskets..