SL1 intake manifold gasket replacement

[amory]

So i just got a killer deal on a 2001 SL1 with a high idle. According to the carb cleaner sprayed around the #1 cylinder intake, the gasket is bad. I have a Chiltons, and it seems pretty straight forward but are there any pitfalls I should look out for? Should I only get the gasket from the dealer, and how much it cost?

[andy_95sl2]

the gasket is +/- $13 from SPS

http://www.spswebpage.com/store/inde...3864b52a0ac217

[Bigdaddy94sc2]

Make sure that both surfaces(manifold & head side) are EXTREMEMLY AND COMPLETELY CLEAN of oil, coolant, and the old gasket. Failure to do so will result in an immediate failure of the gasket replacement. The nuts arent fun to get to, but not impossible, so take your time, make sure it is clean, and enjoy the new car!!!

[amory]

thanks for the advice guys. should i use rtv sealant along with the gasket? also do i need a throttle body gasket too (does that have to be removed?)

[Bigdaddy94sc2]

No RTV to be used. Dont need to remove the TB at all.

[amory]

cool thanks. i finally got a good look at it last night (i have only seen it in the dark previously) and it seems pretty straight forward. thank you

[amory]

well, i did it (pain in the aaasssssssss). started right up and runs great. but i still get an SES light. does disconnecting the battery for 10 sec erase the codes on 2001's too? by-the-way, there is no bracket to remove next to the alternator (chiltons said there was, perhaps on an earlier model) so dont waste your time removing the front wheel and splash guard. i have a 91 Sl1, and boy, 10 years makes a huge difference

[Sky King]

Originally Posted by amory

. does disconnecting the battery for 10 sec erase the codes on 2001's too?

No, your car is OBD II. A scan tool for OBD II systems is required to clear the codes. The disconnecting the battery trick worked on OBD I cars.

[amory]

thats sweet! i was worried id have to tear it apart again.

[bigc791]

remove the upper engine and trans mounts and pull the engine forward with a strap. You will have plenty of room to work then.
Carmen

[amory]

so if i need the scan tool to erase the codes. would the SES light still come on even if there werent a problem? or is something still tripping the SES light?

[BarnOwl]

If there's no problem, the light will eventually go off. I'd run it by Autozone or Advance and get them to read the codes. Report back here with the code numbers. They should be able to clear the codes too. They'll do it for free.

[Luke]

>Fm Carmen<

remove the upper engine and trans mounts and pull the engine forward with a strap. You will have plenty of room to work then.

Would not the Transaxle Strut and the Engine Strut prevent this result ??

[amory]

update... i drove the car to work today and the light did go out, and has been out ever sense. the car runs terrific now. as far a tilting the engine forward, i didnt really see a need to.

[bigc791]

Originally Posted by Luke

Would not the Transaxle Strut and the Engine Strut prevent this result ??

Its not a 91.
Carmen

[DeCaff2006]

I've replaced that same gasket on my 2000 SL1 and I must agree, yes, it was an extreme PITA! It took me almost 8 hours solely b/c I couldn't loosen the P/S pump bolt to move the pump sideways, allowing for that F'ING quarter inch of clearance you need to totally remove the intake manifold. ARRRGGGHH. It DID, however, make the SES light turn off and it never came on again until I wrecked that poor car.

[Tomvich]

Last 2 days read many posts, too many, concerning defective intake manifold gaskets on SOHC models from about 97 thru 02. Seems most if not all leak
around cyl #1. Also seems the final fix is the gasket rather than bad
injector. I know Saturn knows of this problem but did not issue a recall.
Has anyone contacted a District Manager to find out if they will pay
for all or part of the repair. At about 500 smackers , they should pony
up. I`ve got same tbl , and wonder if there is a Federal agency that would like to know about this.

[amory]

at what milage has everyones intake gasket gone bad? mine did at about 75,000. and then at what point can you say. "well, its just normal engine wear" now at what point can i expect the new one to go bad?

[Tomvich]

Have 50k on car now, at 20k, the IAC went bad , dealer had a week b4 finding problem, car would stall out at lights. As far as 301 code for
possible gasket problem, Wolfman presents 2 senarios in the "How To"
section. I replaced plug #1 and its wire and listened carefully to clicking
of injectors 1 and 2 , they sound the same. I have a rough idle but otherwise car drives ok. At idle, injectors click about 2 times a second and sound clean
and distinct. Next I`ll pull egr and clean it and maybe pull lower 2 coil
pack bolts and clean them . I guess there is no way to prove bad
injector without replacing or swapping. I dont know if a 10% clogged injector would cause a 301 to generate. Other thing i cant figure is this- if coil bolts
are corroded , why would this just generate a 301, seems other cyl- maybe #4
would also act up. Actually , I `m not experienced enough to pull fuel rail or
manifold. I`m looking for someone to help in Harrisburg pa area, will pay $$.

Tom

[wolfman]

Gotta love folks who think a manufacturer should fix a 6-10 year old car that has been off warranty for 5+ years or so for free....