Help with upper intake

[FiendScurro]

Well after 35k my new Dorman upper intake is blowing out sides. Need to replace it before I risk harming my engine. Any ideas on if there is anything better out there or if I should just put another on?

It's been awhile and I know the site is not as active but I appreciate any feedback. Finally own the car fully and don't plan on losing her now.

[MKMike]

What a bummer.

The ACDelco Original Equipment UEM is available at Rockauto.

[1oldman]

I'm having problems with the exhaust gases turning the coolant dark again too. Had the Plenum replaced 2 months after I bought the car (8/2013, knowing it needed to be replaced). I've had the coolant turn dark twice on me since and worked on each time. It's dark again and I'm really wondering what the deal is too. I'm hoping that a UIM repair kit will fix the Dorman Plenum. I'm hoping that's all you need, and myself too. Keep us posted on what you do and find out. Good luck! - BC

[Jfridge92]

I've been running this upper intake manifold on my car for nearly 60k, no leaks or issues and it's been off a few different times (painting, upper gasket developed a vacuum leak), but I've had 0 issues with this manifold like the oem manifold had. This one has a metal sleeved bushing around the egr stove pipe, which when combined with the reduced diameter stove pipe helps prevent any future failures here.

http://www.ineedparts.com/gm-intake-sur ... d-kit.html

[FiendScurro]

Well I'm assuming you put a new gasket on each time you took it off so you most likely won't have any problems unless you don't have a reason to take it off for awhile. Idk why is leaking. I mean I know it's leaking because the gasket is failing but couldn't tell you why it failed. Coolant runs green and oil is clean. But it's leaking more and more.
Oil is also leaking out from same gasket by pcv valve.

Debating if I should replace whole thing or just the upper gasket. Won't really know till I take it off.

[FiendScurro]

I'm having problems with the exhaust gases turning the coolant dark again too. Had the Plenum replaced 2 months after I bought the car (8/2013, knowing it needed to be replaced). I've had the coolant turn dark twice on me since and worked on each time. It's dark again and I'm really wondering what the deal is too. I'm hoping that a UIM repair kit will fix the Dorman Plenum. I'm hoping that's all you need, and myself too.
Keep us posted on what you do and find out. Good luck! - BC

What UIM repair kit are you referring too?

[Jfridge92]

Well I'm assuming you put a new gasket on each time you took it off so you most likely won't have any problems unless you don't have a reason to take it off for awhile. Idk why is leaking. I mean I know it's leaking because the gasket is failing but couldn't tell you why it failed. Coolant runs green and oil is clean. But it's leaking more and more.
Oil is also leaking out from same gasket by pcv valve.

Debating if I should replace whole thing or just the upper gasket. Won't really know till I take it off.

Yep I replaced the gasket each time. My original UIM was warped when it came off the first time, so the actual manifold was leaking externally. With the one I linked, I haven't had any warpage, and there's no sign of deterioration around the egr port like my old one had as well. if your current UIM checks out square and isn't warped, which is what I'd think would cause an external leak if it isn't just the gasket, I'd say throw a new gasket in before replacing the whole uim. But if it is warped, then obviously a new manifold has to go on.

[1oldman]

I'm having problems with the exhaust gases turning the coolant dark again too. Had the Plenum replaced 2 months after I bought the car (8/2013, knowing it needed to be replaced). I've had the coolant turn dark twice on me since and worked on each time. It's dark again and I'm really wondering what the deal is too. I'm hoping that a UIM repair kit will fix the Dorman Plenum. I'm hoping that's all you need, and myself too.
Keep us posted on what you do and find out. Good luck! - BC

What UIM repair kit are you referring too?

Dorman 615-207, $55.99 at Advance Auto. If the UIM is still good, I would think all you need are the "O" rings, gaskets and the tube/sleeve for the EGR valve (all of that's what's in the kit). And of course, replace all the coolant. - BC

[FiendScurro]

I know it's just the gasket but at the same time I don't think it would fail unless the manifold is warped. I wish the aluminum manifold was a direct bolt on mod.

[2003 SSEi]

the Alum L26 is a direct bolt on except for a TB Adapter.

[Wes]

Dorman eventually caught on and did the metal liner sleeve for the EGR riser that Joe mentioned, but the early ones from them did not have this. Idk if you recall yours having this update or not, but I would replace it if not.

[FiendScurro]

The intake was supposed to be the upgraded one. I had the stovepipe but I just dropped a Dorman on today and the Plenum was totally different. Much beefier. My old Dorman looked totally different from new one. Must have gotten a dud.