Re: GM 3.1 SFI--Intake manifold gasket ALWAYS go bad? (considering cancelling deal on '95 Century)

"saeengineer"  wrote

The primary cause of intake manifold failure in these vehicles is a
backfire in the intake manifold.  The likely hood of this happening can
be significantly reduced by having the vehicle powertrain control module
'reflashed' with the current version of software.  GM is well aware of
this issue and has had a fix out for almost a year.


Wrong engine....and even on the right engine.....the backfiring
is "not" the primary cause of intake manifold problems.  The
3800 has far more intake problems caused by the EGR pipe
in the lower manifold then it has problems with the backfiring
issue. The OP's engine is a 3.1 v-6.

Ian