Hi guys. I have a question. MY UIM was replaced last week, but not the LIM. Are there any signs that can indicate the LIM, or its gaskets, need to be replaced? Just trying to stay ahead of the game.

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'02 Pontiac Bonneville SE 108,539 miles, N/A, SSEi exhaust system, boat roller mount. Gone, but not forgotten.
'13 Buick Regal GS 102k miles, 270 hp, 295 lb/ft, ZZP intake.
(yes, there is a story behind my avatar.)

They lower intake manifold gaskets should have been replaced when the upper plenum was replaced. Your that close it should be done.

The repairman said that the LIM gaskets don't need to be replaced yet. I just wanted to know if there were any tell-tale signs that show when they need to be replaced.

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'02 Pontiac Bonneville SE 108,539 miles, N/A, SSEi exhaust system, boat roller mount. Gone, but not forgotten.
'13 Buick Regal GS 102k miles, 270 hp, 295 lb/ft, ZZP intake.
(yes, there is a story behind my avatar.)

You have to get a visual on them to get any kind of signs of immanent failure.

Otherwise, coolant consumption is your only warning sign, and a milkshake in your crank case the final nail in the coffin.

As an avid fan of the 3800, the actions of your repairman greatly displease me, especially since you are going to have to pay to go in there after them, and he was literally 10 bolts away from finishing the job in the first place.

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~Randall~


1993 Buick Park Avenue - 197k - Some odds and ends done - Simply won't die
1994 Buick Regal - 78k - Bone stock - Always ready for a good kicking
1990 Oldsmobile 88 - Gone to a better place

Look between the LIM and the head. If the LIM gasket is silver, then you can leave it. That is the upgraded metal design and should last the life of the vehicle. If you see black, replace them as soon as you can. Even if they aren't a problem right now, they will be down the road. It is a pretty easy job. A basic set of tools will do it, and even a complete noob can do it in under 5 hours with generous time left over. There are write-ups for it everywhere.

The tools, gaskets, fluids, and other misc stuff will still cost you less than whatever that guy will charge you I'm sure.

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-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 247k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 98k miles

He's done work on my car before, including welding the fuel rail shut after an unfortunate accident when working on the car myself, among other things. I trust him; there could be different gaskets in the LIM because they were replaced before, in like 2007, I think.

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'02 Pontiac Bonneville SE 108,539 miles, N/A, SSEi exhaust system, boat roller mount. Gone, but not forgotten.
'13 Buick Regal GS 102k miles, 270 hp, 295 lb/ft, ZZP intake.
(yes, there is a story behind my avatar.)

Yes, there are signs and they start out seeming rather minor.
This Facebook page has an excellent writeup:
https://www.facebook.com/GM3800Tips/posts/551818071634026

Thank you for the link; I'll be sure to keep an eye on it.

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'02 Pontiac Bonneville SE 108,539 miles, N/A, SSEi exhaust system, boat roller mount. Gone, but not forgotten.
'13 Buick Regal GS 102k miles, 270 hp, 295 lb/ft, ZZP intake.
(yes, there is a story behind my avatar.)