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Last Updated: Jun 1st, 2009 - 09:34:53 |
Reader Question Hi!
The ‘honest’ mechanic got my attention because right now, I need an answer to a question pretty quick and essentially it is a yes/no type of answer.
Technical particulars:
I have a 1991 3.1 Buick Regal VIN T MPFI vehicle with a emission hose routing configuration of LBP. It appears GM in their wisdom made at least 15 different vacuum hose routing configuration from 1990 – 1994 for the Regal (also includes Chevy’s Lumina). Anyway, here is the question. To change out the ‘vacuum harness’ (that’s what the mechanic call it, I haven’t found a vacuum harness part) you have to remove the upper intake manifold.
Is this true? Is this what GM recommends? I have the vacuum diagram and it looks like to me you don’t have remove the upper intake manifold to install new hoses. Another part that was found bad was the vacuum connection part that plugs into the throttle body. Two of the three hose ports had long longitudinal cracks on the underside of the port.
The reason I’m asking is because the mechanic took the upper intake manifold off and snapped off two of the bolts. He wants me to pay extra for drilling them out and installing helicoils. My position is he didn’t need to take the upper intake manifold off to replace the vacuum hoses.
So, we are in a dispute and it looks like I’ll have to do the repair – I towed the vehicle home. The only hose that looks a little tricky to get to is the one going to the map sensor, but it seems to be accessible to me without removing the upper intake manifold.
So, what do you think?
Thanks for your time!
Hey there
That’s a tough question...and I am not certain about how those vacuum hoses are sold or how to properly remove them…if the manifold does indeed have to come off...I don’t know, but I REALLY don't think you have to remove the intake to gain access though. I CAN comment on the broken bolts though.
Stuff happens, especially on an older vehicle like yours, and especially on intake and exhaust manifold bolts….they just break. When we break them off in my shop…..we charge the customer a minimal fee, plus the helicoil price to repair it. Its just one of those things that can happen and the older the vehicle……the more chance of it happening.
Blessings,
Austin Davis
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