Re: Intake Gasket Failure Question

On Sat, 02 Apr 2005 18:22:04 GMT, "****den_kai"
<violet_lightening_modified@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:

>Jack L. Spratt wrote:
>
>> My understanding is GM claims that the DexCool coolant is responsible
>> for intake Gasket Failures.
>
>No, GM does not think that Dexcool has anything to do with
>gasket failures.  The intake gasket failure is due to a poor design
>that relies on low clamp loads and the fact that a technician
>ought to know how to torque bolts and use loctite in these
>particular applications.
>
>> My understanding is also that the intake failures have been happening
>> since around the mid 1990's.
>
>Intake gasket failures on GM 60 degree engines have been happening
>since they started making the engines in the mid 80's.  When they first
came 
>out in
>the X-bodies and A-bodies....we  were doing intake gaskets all the
>time.  Same problem.....coolant would get in the engine oil.  Different
>style of gasket....same basic end result...coolant in oil.  There has
also
>always been a problem with oil leakage from the RTV end gaskets.
>This is due to two problems.....poor preparation of the surfaces by
>the technicians....and the fact that RTV gaskets will inevitably leak
>no matter what you do.
>
>Ian 
>
How can you blame it on the technicians or poor preparation on a
factory new engine? It is GM's fault - pure and simple. A design that
uses low clamping loads combined with gasket materials that cannot
seal under low clamp load conditions is poor design, no ifs, ands, or
buts about it.

Not fixing the root problem is the result of the bean counters looking
at the cost to repair the desihn vs the cost to repair under warranty,
taking the average lifespan into account.
Simply put, they figure it is cheaper to replace a few thousand
gaskets a year than to redisign the engine.

What they fail to take into account is the loss of sales due to
customer dis-satisfaction and anger.

And they wonder why they couldn't sell enough Oldsmobiles to make it
worth while retaining the marque - and now either Pontiac or Buick (or
possibly both) may well follow suite.

Used to be the cry was "kill all the lawyers".. Soon it will be "kill
all the accountants". Between accountants and lawyers, manufacturing
jobs are relentlessly being driven out of the USA , and close behind,
out of Canada as well.