What is the cost in repairing intake manifold leaks

1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO
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BMWDAVE
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Hello, my van has 140,000 miles. V6 4.3L engine. Van runs Great and serves me well. I have developed a coolant leak on the Intake manifold. I have a technician who is willing to make the repair, but un-sure of the "labor hours" suggested to do the repairs. Does not anyone know the suggested labor time to replace the intake manifold gaskets on this vehicle?
Sep 24, 2007 at 8:57 AM
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BMWDAVE
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My van has been taken to a Chevy Dealership near my home since I left the last question. No Coolant is in the oil and the coolant leaks down the right side of the intake and run off the back of the motor.
David
Oct 2, 2007 at 8:31 AM
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JEREMY STUCK
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Bmwdave, I have the exact same thing just happen same van same less on right side. If possible please tell me what the garage found was it hose or gasket? And was the cost worth fixing it especially if was gasket.
Thank you.
Jun 23, 2018 at 5:50 PM
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RENEE L
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Hello BMWDAVE,

Please post your new question here: https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new
One of experts will answer your question.

Thank you,

Renee
Jun 24, 2018 at 11:55 AM
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STEVE W.
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The 4.3 and 5.7 of that vintage is very well known for the intake gaskets failing. It is due to the plastic used to make the gasket and the poor clamping angle of the intake to cylinder head. In the earlier generations of them the intake and head were clamped together at a right angle using bolts. To make the engine faster to assemble they changed the angle of the bolts so that instead of clamping at ninety degrees they now clamp at a steep angle. They also reduced the number of bolts in the intake to four. Instead of the parts holding the gasket the intake now acts like a wedge and crushes the bottom edge of the gasket tighter than the top. Then they also switched the gasket design to a plastic that cracks as it ages.

Replacing them with an updated aftermarket gasket is a great idea. The image shows the stock plastic gasket on the bottom compared to a Fel-Pro replacement. If you look close at the left side of the stock gasket you will see the cracks at the bottom as well as the failure on the top.

The vehicles condition and mileage would determine if it was worth repairing it as well as if you are doing it yourself verses having a shop do them.
Jun 24, 2018 at 12:19 PM