Car was running high idle, vacuum problem, poor gas mileage, so took it to a new mechanic. He diagnosed it as gasket problem to intake manifold, changed them the first time, car ran like garbage, so he did them again.Car still ran rough with evident vacuum leak so he did them a second time with new gaskets. Car still ran poorly he said, so he did a test that to him says the engine is drawing in too much air from someplace. He started the car, and with the throttle body connector hose off the engine, placed a clipboard across the large opening that leads into the manifold. The clipboard stayed put he says because the engine is drawing in too much air from someplace, presumably a crack in the intake manifold itself. WHen he removed the oil cap on the valve cover , the clipboard dropped off the throttle body intake thingee...he says proving his theory of a crack . TRUE STORY..IS HE CORRECT?
He says a used intake will cost me $250 and he won't charge me to install it. He was to charge me $550 for the initial work of new valve cover gaskets, which I had in my trunk meaning to get changed soon as they were leaking, and the intake manifold gaskets. $250 for a used intake manifold brings it up to $800...yikes!

Sound legit? I am in Los Angeles...

$550 seems pretty high to do just valve cover gaskets. But $800 after those and a new intake manifold installed seems ok-ish considering the several hours it'll probably take.

Although, I think the symptoms may be related to a more simple and cheaper PCV issue. Could be sloppy piston rings too, so I might request a compression check.

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WHITE WHINE - 1992 SSE Supercharged 236.26 ci (.040 Over) 15.090 at 90.2 MPH on old engine w/ slipping trans & melted O2 sensor - Gen 3 M62 and matching TB, Gen 2 Pully, Zillamotorsports Ported LIM, YT 1.72 Roller Rockers, SII FPR & Injectors, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/ 160 Thermo, TransGo Shift Kit, Infinity/Pioneer Speakers & a 10" Alpine Type R Sub, all the watts, 140 amp Alternator, Ricepipe CAI w/ heatshield, Pilot Angel Eye Foglights, Clear Corners, '02 17" Chrome Bent 5's, Magnaflow F-Body Muffler and Hi-flo Cat, Ceramic Coated Ported Exhaust Manifolds, Fan Override, Monroe Reflex struts, red calipers
2009 G8 GT - Sport Red Metallic, loaded, SOLO Axlebacks, Rotofab Intake, Tuned, autodim mirror, removed intake manifold cover, HSV GTS triple gauge pod, two tone red-hot shifter and HSV SuperSport steering wheel, GXP rear sway bar and diffuser, 3.45 diff and various Camaro suspension bits, LED Taillights

Yes, he did a fair amount of extra work for me..said the throttle body and ICV were caked up pretty bad..also the maf sensor was bad too he says..I have a warranty on that so I don't mind getting a new one at no cost..recommends to flush the fuel injectors too as he says their was so much gunk caked in and around intake manifold that he would suggest it soon. Can I get by with a fuel additive or does it have to be at the injectors themselves..?