1995 Pontiac Grand Am intake casket

NIKKI7444

MEMBER
1995 PONTIAC GRAND AM
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
15,400 MILES

What is the propper way to change a intake gasket? I was told you are to change it first then drain the fluid to replace it with new fluid, my problem was the whole car was flushed out before changing was this the wrong thing to to? Know the car has a blown head after we changed everything!

3 Replies

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

You drain the coolant first, then change the intake manifold gasket, then refill coolant. This is a good time to change thermostat.
If coolant gets into oil pan, you can wash the main bearings causing a lot of damage.

If the head gasket is blown, you will have to remove heads, check for warpage and install new head gaskets and headbolts (along with intake manifold set).

If the head is cracked, it must be replaced. You may want to research a used low mile engine, it may be cheaper in the long run.

You always drain coolant first when changing intake/head gaskets.

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Thursday, October 16th, 2008 AT 8:59 AM

NIKKI7444

MEMBER
4 POSTS

The car's oil before the gasket was changed looked like choclete milk like it was mixed with mabey gas was this a sign of a blown head? So you are saying if the barrings were washed that could have caused the damege to the heads?

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Thursday, October 16th, 2008 AT 9:04 AM

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

The description of the oil indicates coolant in the oil, this would indicate that the headgasket blew and contaminated the oil. Coolant in the oil will wash the main bearings of the oil film and cause metal to metal contact.
Perform a compression test on the engine, this will tell you if the headgasket is blown.
The headgasket would be the cause of the problem, the bearings would be the result of the headgasket problem not the cause.

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Friday, October 17th, 2008 AT 8:13 AM