HELP - Plenum Chamber Gasket Weeping? WTF
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 125
HELP - Plenum Chamber Gasket Weeping? WTF
Hey All,
At my last service (150,000 km / 90,000 miles) the Stealers indicated that the Plenum Chamber Gasket was weeping. Does anyone know WTF that is and whether or not this is a scam?
They have quoted AU$400 (US$290) to fix.
Seems suspicious. Car drives fine. Any ideas?
At my last service (150,000 km / 90,000 miles) the Stealers indicated that the Plenum Chamber Gasket was weeping. Does anyone know WTF that is and whether or not this is a scam?
They have quoted AU$400 (US$290) to fix.
Seems suspicious. Car drives fine. Any ideas?
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 350
Well...if it's the plenum I'm thinking about, it can best be described as the mass of metal that sits above the "V-valley" of our relaible V6 engines.
Here's what I understand...(open to correction)
(In over-simplified terms), its function is to take the air from the throttle body/Mass airflow sensor and distribute it to the intake ports which lead down to the cylinders. Ours rests below that nifty Infiniti symbol on the engine.
Of course, the seal that exists between this unit and the top of the engine is important/critical.
The link below gives the detailed story and pics from one of our Infiniti brethren as he removed the plenum on his Q.
http://infiniti.home.insightbb.com/plenum_job1.htm
Initially, I'm suspicious about the diagnosis without knowing more about the previous treatment of the car like was it ever run way over hot (to boiling the coolant) or run out of water altogether, has it been wrecked on the front end, has the throttle body or knock sensors ever been replaced...etc.
The description of "weeping" isn't real helpful either.
I think I would ask to see what he (mechanic) was talking about to see for yourself how bad it is ...and then ask what things are going to happen later that indicate the "weeping" has become more of an issue.
In addition, if it were a common problem, the cats in here that are squeezing a lot more work & performance out of these engines with various added-on equipment would surely have been screaming about it by now and I think about all of them have about as many or more miles on their rides as you do. (myself included).
I'm fairly confident that either you have:
1. Some sort of unusual circumstance that caused it to prematurely fail and it really is an issue. (With what I understand to be involved in replacing the gasket, $290 ain't bad, but only if it really needs it.)
OR
2. It might weep but big deal... they all might weep some and it's never going to hurt anything, so they told you about it in hopes of generating revenue.
Here's what I understand...(open to correction)
(In over-simplified terms), its function is to take the air from the throttle body/Mass airflow sensor and distribute it to the intake ports which lead down to the cylinders. Ours rests below that nifty Infiniti symbol on the engine.
Of course, the seal that exists between this unit and the top of the engine is important/critical.
The link below gives the detailed story and pics from one of our Infiniti brethren as he removed the plenum on his Q.
http://infiniti.home.insightbb.com/plenum_job1.htm
Initially, I'm suspicious about the diagnosis without knowing more about the previous treatment of the car like was it ever run way over hot (to boiling the coolant) or run out of water altogether, has it been wrecked on the front end, has the throttle body or knock sensors ever been replaced...etc.
The description of "weeping" isn't real helpful either.
I think I would ask to see what he (mechanic) was talking about to see for yourself how bad it is ...and then ask what things are going to happen later that indicate the "weeping" has become more of an issue.
In addition, if it were a common problem, the cats in here that are squeezing a lot more work & performance out of these engines with various added-on equipment would surely have been screaming about it by now and I think about all of them have about as many or more miles on their rides as you do. (myself included).
I'm fairly confident that either you have:
1. Some sort of unusual circumstance that caused it to prematurely fail and it really is an issue. (With what I understand to be involved in replacing the gasket, $290 ain't bad, but only if it really needs it.)
OR
2. It might weep but big deal... they all might weep some and it's never going to hurt anything, so they told you about it in hopes of generating revenue.
I guess they mean you need to replace the intake manifold gakset??? But I doubt the dealer would do that for less than $300. If it was leaking then you would have a vacuum leak and a rough idle.
If you don't know what it is then have them take you out to the car and show you exactly what needs to be done.
If you don't know what it is then have them take you out to the car and show you exactly what needs to be done.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 125
Thanks So Much
Originally Posted by Double E
Well...if it's the plenum I'm thinking about, it can best be described as the mass of metal that sits above the "V-valley" of our relaible V6 engines.
Here's what I understand...(open to correction)
(In over-simplified terms), its function is to take the air from the throttle body/Mass airflow sensor and distribute it to the intake ports which lead down to the cylinders. Ours rests below that nifty Infiniti symbol on the engine.
Of course, the seal that exists between this unit and the top of the engine is important/critical.
The link below gives the detailed story and pics from one of our Infiniti brethren as he removed the plenum on his Q.
http://infiniti.home.insightbb.com/plenum_job1.htm
Initially, I'm suspicious about the diagnosis without knowing more about the previous treatment of the car like was it ever run way over hot (to boiling the coolant) or run out of water altogether, has it been wrecked on the front end, has the throttle body or knock sensors ever been replaced...etc.
The description of "weeping" isn't real helpful either.
I think I would ask to see what he (mechanic) was talking about to see for yourself how bad it is ...and then ask what things are going to happen later that indicate the "weeping" has become more of an issue.
In addition, if it were a common problem, the cats in here that are squeezing a lot more work & performance out of these engines with various added-on equipment would surely have been screaming about it by now and I think about all of them have about as many or more miles on their rides as you do. (myself included).
I'm fairly confident that either you have:
1. Some sort of unusual circumstance that caused it to prematurely fail and it really is an issue. (With what I understand to be involved in replacing the gasket, $290 ain't bad, but only if it really needs it.)
OR
2. It might weep but big deal... they all might weep some and it's never going to hurt anything, so they told you about it in hopes of generating revenue.
Here's what I understand...(open to correction)
(In over-simplified terms), its function is to take the air from the throttle body/Mass airflow sensor and distribute it to the intake ports which lead down to the cylinders. Ours rests below that nifty Infiniti symbol on the engine.
Of course, the seal that exists between this unit and the top of the engine is important/critical.
The link below gives the detailed story and pics from one of our Infiniti brethren as he removed the plenum on his Q.
http://infiniti.home.insightbb.com/plenum_job1.htm
Initially, I'm suspicious about the diagnosis without knowing more about the previous treatment of the car like was it ever run way over hot (to boiling the coolant) or run out of water altogether, has it been wrecked on the front end, has the throttle body or knock sensors ever been replaced...etc.
The description of "weeping" isn't real helpful either.
I think I would ask to see what he (mechanic) was talking about to see for yourself how bad it is ...and then ask what things are going to happen later that indicate the "weeping" has become more of an issue.
In addition, if it were a common problem, the cats in here that are squeezing a lot more work & performance out of these engines with various added-on equipment would surely have been screaming about it by now and I think about all of them have about as many or more miles on their rides as you do. (myself included).
I'm fairly confident that either you have:
1. Some sort of unusual circumstance that caused it to prematurely fail and it really is an issue. (With what I understand to be involved in replacing the gasket, $290 ain't bad, but only if it really needs it.)
OR
2. It might weep but big deal... they all might weep some and it's never going to hurt anything, so they told you about it in hopes of generating revenue.
I personally think it is just a scam. The car has never been in an accident, runs smooth, never had to replace the knock sensor and never thrown up any codes. Furthermore, I think they have chosen some obscure problem (clearly it is not that common a problem otherwise everyone on the ORG would have something to say on it, as for example with the noted transmission and starter problems almost everyone experiences) just so I have no come back.
The way the Stealer operates when I drop my car off for a service, then I catch a train to work. Knowing them I will get a call mid afternoon about how they found this wrong with it and it needs this and that and what are my instructions. To actuall see WTF they are talking about I would have to leave work and catch a train back or just take the whol friggin day off and wait at the Stealers.
The Stealer also quoted me AU$150 (US$115) to replace the alternator belt. I called Parts a can buy one new for AU$40 (US$28)!!! So they are charging me $100 in labour???
I fluking hate Stealers and Mechanics.
Originally Posted by OZMADMAX
Hey Double E and I30tMikeD thank you very much for your posts.
I personally think it is just a scam. The car has never been in an accident, runs smooth, never had to replace the knock sensor and never thrown up any codes. Furthermore, I think they have chosen some obscure problem (clearly it is not that common a problem otherwise everyone on the ORG would have something to say on it, as for example with the noted transmission and starter problems almost everyone experiences) just so I have no come back.
The way the Stealer operates when I drop my car off for a service, then I catch a train to work. Knowing them I will get a call mid afternoon about how they found this wrong with it and it needs this and that and what are my instructions. To actuall see WTF they are talking about I would have to leave work and catch a train back or just take the whol friggin day off and wait at the Stealers.
The Stealer also quoted me AU$150 (US$115) to replace the alternator belt. I called Parts a can buy one new for AU$40 (US$28)!!! So they are charging me $100 in labour???
I fluking hate Stealers and Mechanics.
I personally think it is just a scam. The car has never been in an accident, runs smooth, never had to replace the knock sensor and never thrown up any codes. Furthermore, I think they have chosen some obscure problem (clearly it is not that common a problem otherwise everyone on the ORG would have something to say on it, as for example with the noted transmission and starter problems almost everyone experiences) just so I have no come back.
The way the Stealer operates when I drop my car off for a service, then I catch a train to work. Knowing them I will get a call mid afternoon about how they found this wrong with it and it needs this and that and what are my instructions. To actuall see WTF they are talking about I would have to leave work and catch a train back or just take the whol friggin day off and wait at the Stealers.
The Stealer also quoted me AU$150 (US$115) to replace the alternator belt. I called Parts a can buy one new for AU$40 (US$28)!!! So they are charging me $100 in labour???
I fluking hate Stealers and Mechanics.
Going hourly rates for a good shop in my area is $70-$90 an hour
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 350
It sounds like you've got a good grip on the situation & little to be concerned with.
I typically trust the mechanic I use for the stuff I know is an issue and am skeptical about all else I am told aside from suggested maintenance items. I use the stealership only for the big stuff and believe it or not, I've never been given a load of BS from them for what needed to be done and have never had to be skeptical.
That sucks about your commute options. Just goes to show that they're not all the same. My dealer gives me a loaner each time I visit and they clean it inside & out. I didn't buy it there and thier labor rate is about what MikeD said.
I typically trust the mechanic I use for the stuff I know is an issue and am skeptical about all else I am told aside from suggested maintenance items. I use the stealership only for the big stuff and believe it or not, I've never been given a load of BS from them for what needed to be done and have never had to be skeptical.
That sucks about your commute options. Just goes to show that they're not all the same. My dealer gives me a loaner each time I visit and they clean it inside & out. I didn't buy it there and thier labor rate is about what MikeD said.
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