Manifold leak EVER corrected?

[3400cc]

Hi.

I've been thinking about buying a 2002-2004 Alero 3.4 but I am reluctant because of all the threads on this damned manifold coolant leak. This sounds like a recurring $700 repair.

Did GM ever correct this? I think I read one guy on this thread implied they got it right in later models but would like to get some further confirmation of that.

So, is it still a problem in 2002 or 2003 or 2004?

I'd appreciate any responses.

Thanks

[doubleN0alero]

I think in 02 they switched over to the new gasket...i know for sure in 03 and 04 though they have the new gasket that doesn't fail.

[antichrysler]

For whatever it's worth my 02 made it to 94,000kms before it went... even at that i'm not sure if it did. I was told after I sold it that the engine had a bad gasket.

Other than that I didn't have any engine problems with it.

[billytheman1188]

i have an 02, at 52,000 miles the LIM started leaking.

[cherrington17]

03 at 48k and no leaks... i haven't heard that they used a new "leak-less" gasket though... if that IS true, i'm pretty damn excited to own this thing!

[rowdygls]

I'm at 70K+ with no leakage on an 02

*knock on wood*

[SIUlero]

It's not a ~recurring~ problem if it's fixed with the right gasket when it does happen. I don't know when the factory started using the better one, but if yours does start to leak, replace it with the good one and you shouldn't have any more problems.

[comanche]

Yeah, but remember also that gaskets are only gaskets - they do have a point at which they fail eventually....

[3400cc]

I think my fears were well founded. I don't think ANY year Alero had this problem corrected.

I hope the Chevy Equinox owners don't get this problem but they might.

Its no wonder GM is in the financial toilet!

http://www.batauto.com/Forums/index.php?topic=1490.0

[antichrysler]

^If you buy one that's already had it done you should be okay.

But GM is going out of business for more reasons than just this.

[buickboy71]

I am an auto technician, and have made a lot of money from these intake gaskets.AS far as I know the 3.4 doesnt, but the 3.5 and 3.9 have a revised lower intake gasket. It is made out of aluminum instead of plastic. It has yet to be seen if it will correct the leaking problem, but I think it will at least prolong the gasket life. The dealers are making a killing on these jobs. I usually get around $400 and make plenty of money.

[Mr_Reed]

Yeah GMs are going down the hill on quality Automobiles+UAWU(UnitedAutoWorkersUnion) =Quality Crap.

[jabartram]

87,000 no leak on my 03, i did change the gasket to the felpro gasket when i installed my ported manifolds.

[misslindseysue]

The dealer assured me they were putting and updated part in mine when they did it. It's been about 55,000miles since (had it done at 59,000ish) and no leaks again yet.

[jturkey69]

my 02 made it to 28,000 miles before the it went, now at 58,000 and its leaking again...how many have switched from dex-cool to another brand??

[strtrydr]

79,000 no problems and still running Dex-Cool

1999 Alero - 250,000 km on the car, 180,000 km on my second engine. I take a lot of road trips; the first motor died because of the shitty gasket, the second one had an after market manifold and was taken out of a Montanna. I've had to fix 2 leaks on the exhaust manifold.

[Cliff8928]

My '99 3400 has just about 40,000 on the original gasket still... Don't drive it much.

[Frostbite545]

57000 miles on a 2000, had the gasket replaced once, and the water pump once too. It probably wouldnt have happened if the car didnt sit for around 2 years without being driven regularly... everything dried out.

[Exit9alero]

So if i changed mine with the felpro gasket im good till when????