10th Dec 2002, 12:30

I have a 1997 Chevy Silverado with 5.7L and had the intake manifold gasket replaced early last year (about 60000 miles). Cost of the service was about $400, but I shopped around for best deal. I had one shop estimate the fix at about $1000!! I have had no problems with the gasket since. The shop owner said it's a common problem on this engine (obviously from the comments). Seems that the manifold and the block are two different metals and when they both heat up, they expand at a different rate, working that connection/gasket loose.

12th Dec 2002, 00:22

Hi! I have a 1997 Cheyenne which I purchased in January of 2001. It has the 4.3L w/5-speed tranny. I am right in the middle of replacing the clutch this week. Actually, that's how I found this site - looking up some service information. My truck is a flawless factory-black, extended-cab, 4x4 with over 108,000 miles; 45,000 courtesy of me and Interstate 95 New Hampshire to Florida! Aside from the clutch -first one, by the way- I have never had ANY problems of ANY kind with this truck. Service records from previous owner indicate the same. It purrs like a kitten to this day and I intend to hang on to it for a few more years before trading it in on a newer, but principally identical model.

Sorry everyone's been having so much trouble with their trucks. Chevy trucks are still the best!!!

12th Dec 2002, 17:38

I have a 1997 Chev Silverado with the 5.7 L. Intake gasket replaced to the tune of $400.

I'm at 52000 miles. I had two 2000 Silverados with the 5.3L which is doggier than a 305.

The 97 may have a few quirks, but its still a better truck with a better motor than the new ones.

13th Dec 2002, 00:17

In regards to the intake manifold gasket leak; I too had this happen and it took the mechanic and I too find it while sitting over in the engine. It was caused by corrosion of the gaskets and after I had the radiator flushed and filled the corrosion was blown out and it leaked more. Luckily, I have a trusting mechanic which charged me 178 dollars in all. I was shown the gaskets and they are made of plastic which sucks and no silicone. My mechanic replaced the gaskets and applied silicone which will double the factory lasting time. 1997 gmc v8 vortec 350 I hope this helps.

23rd Dec 2002, 08:06

I bought a 94 Astro in 96, 2 years off lease (Vortec 4.3 6). Fine vehicle, makes yearly Canadian trip in style and comfort. In 98 vehicle lost 2 quarts coolant and thanks to the keen eye of my wife further engine damage was avoided. Coolant ended up in crankcase. Dealer replaced intake gasket under warranty. Told me dissimilar metals caused it and gasket since revised to correct. DEC 02 losing coolant slowly, took to dealer, intake gasket gone again! Almost like clockwork, (look at the dates, 4yrs/gasket). Gonna cost $400+ out of my pocket. Called GM, they say there is no campaign on this. There goes my Christmas budget, thanks GM. Anyone, PLEASE

4th Jan 2003, 07:44

I have a '98 Chevy 305 4x4 with about 60,000 miles and guess what? I am loosing coolant also. I hope I haven't waited too long causing damage to the internal parts of the engine.

After reading the posted comments, I am now nervous about the transmission. I am going to flush the tranny and hope that this will help prevent future failure.

Maybe it will be time for a trade in before anymore problems arise.

7th Jan 2003, 15:51

Have a 1998 Chevy K-1500 with the 5.7L. Have the manifold leak and truck only has 38,000. Had the truck since it was new, and this is the 1st money I have spent on it besides gas, oil and tires. My buddy who is the AVTS Auto mechanics teacher locally said the Dex cool anti-freeze eats the crap out of everything. Had the shop replace the manifold gasket and flush the coolant system, then instructed them to put the good old green stuff in instead of Dex cool. Worth a shot. Also funny, the wifes 2000 Bonneville lower manifold leaked too and had to be replaced. Gotta be the Dexcool or different materials used on the lower manifold.

2nd Feb 2003, 00:22

Add one more to the list! I own a 1998 C1500 5L V-8 and yes, you guessed it, it leaks coolant from the intake manifold. I replaced the water pump when the truck was one month out of the 3/36,000 mile point. This leak was so bizarre because it seemed to happen only when the truck was inactive for a day or so (weekends when I use the family car). Also it started out as such a slow drip that it was very difficult to locate. I am selling this bad boy now before the transmission goes! Thanks for all the great advice.

Don.

10th Feb 2003, 02:51

The GM transmission in your vehicles have a history of the Torque Converter Clutch (TCC) relay or apply valve sticking when hot causing a harsh shift condition. A company called Sonnax makes a replacement valve and kit to fix this condition. The kit has an oversized valve, spring and sleeve as well as a reamer to increase the bore diameter to match the new oversized valve.

First have the transmission pan dropped and examine the filter, fluid and valve body for metal shavings. Excessive amounts of metal and clutch material and burnt fluid indicate excessive transmission wear and it will have to be overhauled or replaced. Next, examine the valve body and valves for scoring on bore surfaces and valves loose in their bores. The above mentioned kit may fix a bore, but the entire valve body should be replaced if scoring and loose valves are found in several valves. Have the transmission fluid power flushed, not just drained, and reassemble.

15th Feb 2003, 00:31

1996 C1500 5.0. Water pump and compressor replaced at 35k mi. Transmission just went out, metal shavings in pan, grinding noise in 1st and reverse. I attribute the relatively long transmission life, 130k mi., to installation of B&M shift kit at 60K mi. and synthetic fluid. Aux transmission cooler will extend life. Bought gm rebuilt transmission for $1500 with 3yr/50k mi. warranty. No other problems, great truck.

20th Feb 2003, 17:21

I have a '97 Yukon, 4WD, purchased in '00 with 42K miles. Immediately had to replace heater hose connector on front of intake manifold due to coolant leak. About 10K later had to re-torque intake manifold bolts front right side of engine. Now at 80K have significant leak from right rear of intake manifold, bolt re-torquing didn't help, guess it's time for intake manifold gaskets.

Have towing package, but don't tow anything, transmission fine at this point. My son works in a transmission shop and says they see mid to late 90's GM trucks and SUV's with transmission problems every day.

Have been a loyal GM consumer since the late '60's, but seeing how many people are having problems like this bothers me.