losing coolant :(

[o3shortbed]

i would get 200 labor plus parts but im just a shade tree mech. 400 might not be too bad if they include the gaskets and its done by certifed mechs. most of the gaskets are rubber and can be reused anyway. just my $0.02

[gmctrucks]

Isn't there a fuel pressure regulator that one should replace while there and yes that's about the only thing that GM screwed out on these engines enough people should call to get them to replace for free remember check into that other part ask a parts man he will direct you in the right direction if not and it goes bad it's going to cost you again. Well it's an idea or something to think about.

[jimbo543]

block heater is right by the oil filter

[fbhart@wk.net]

about $400 is what i was charged at the dealer to replace intake manifold gasket. I am sure a good local shop might have given a better deal. however i have had issues with some work done at local shops,
example: I wanted the front wheel bearings repacked when they did a brake job. They told me the front bearings on my 2 wheel drive pickup were replacement only and cost about $100 each. That is not true, maybe on a 4 wheel drive but not 2 wheel drive.
just an example. old school mech are getting harder to find.

[ryeja]

Get yourself a good maual (haynes, chilton etc.) and they'll have good step by step procedures. If you have the tools to do it it can be done in an afternoon. There's a fair amount of components that have to be removed so be paitent when removing stubborn parts. The gaskets alone aren't very costly, I think mine were about $80 for a 7.4l (454). I did mine during the summer, so I was able to back flush the entire system and get rid of the dextcool (orange stuff) and refill with a 50/50 mix of regular antifreeze and a bottle of "water wetter". (I'm not convinced it really did anything though).
I can now understand why the shops charge what they do, time is money and at a $100 hr labour rate it doesn't take long to add up.

[98k1500]

i work with an x gm mech. i bought parts and he is going to fix my brothers truck for 150. i will be fixing mine while watching him. he is putting on intake gaskets, plenum gasket, valve cover gaskets... came as a kit. use grey rtv around the water jackets.

my truck runs low over a long period of time. if you crawl up under the hood, look down behind everything and see if there is oil or coolant running down the back of the engine.

this fix is not worth 400-500 that i was quoted by chevy dealer.

[gmctrucks]

My son heard that what this dealship does when the Tech wants to make more money he will place oil on part or rig it up so that they can show the owner and of coarse they will say yes most of the times fix it then they will clean off the oil or make it look good. Always' ask for old part so that you can see that the work was done or look with LED flash light to see there work. My son works at this quick oil changing place for now and he told me yesterday that this man was needing a air filter and he said no I don't want it so what my son did is mark filter with date and his name what ended up happening that the old man came back saying that he had a better air cleaner they told him sir you didn't want to buy another one and look before we remove it we dated it they told him hit the road.

[o3shortbed]

Originally Posted by 98k1500

. use grey rtv around the water jackets.

Grey? i think u should use the ultra black. dealer told me thats what gm was using now. im not sure about the gray. those heads ger pretty hot and if it wasnt rated for 600degreese or more i wouldnt ues it

[98k1500]

ok.. the xgm mech told me gm's grey was the best cause the dexcool wouldnt eat it, i just went to carquest and got the only grey they had, ill check the temp range though. thanks

[o3shortbed]

let me know if it works i like to use gm parts if i can. i figure they got all the updates from gm at the time. grey? dealer or the zone?