Intake manifold says Hidden Bolt Inside at both ends

[John Canon]

I was looking closely at my 3800 series 2 engine on 1997 Lesabre. It is quite clean and dry, at 100,000 miles. The temp and oil pressure gauges never move more than one notch. The intake manifold has a Delphi tag and a molded date code of 2004 (actually 3 codes of day, month, and year 04.) At either end is a molded note saying Hidden Bolt Inside.) When I look close at the lower manifold gasket flange I see a tiny bit of pale colored sealant, both front and back (left and right.) Is it possible the upper manifold and the lower gasket had been changed sometime after 2004?

 

[Mad_Coachman]

Sounds like it.....at least the upper. Can you post a picture?

 

[John Canon]

The photos show the date code and the lower manifold gasket sealant, so I think maybe the lower gaskets were changed also. Could I put flat black high-heat barbeque paint on the EGR pipe and the EGR itself? It might cool the EGR gases a bit before they go through the manifold.

 

[Homer Jay]

No, painting will only be "cosmetic" and not reduce the likelihood of UIM failure.
I wonder if a reduced diameter EGR stovepipe was installed when the UIM was replaced?
Not sure regarding the LIM gasket, typically the RTV used on the lower intake is black or gray in color.

 

[Mad_Coachman]

The photos show the date code and the lower manifold gasket sealant, so I think maybe the lower gaskets were changed also. Could I put flat black high-heat barbeque paint on the EGR pipe and the EGR itself? It might cool the EGR gases a bit before they go through the manifold.

I hate to break the news to you but your UIM is original equipment. I just took a look at mine and it's the same except for the date. Mine is original as well.

 

[John Canon]

But ... but ... but ... the car is a 1997 and the date code says 04.

 

[Homer Jay]

But It's been replaced with the same OE flawed design.

 

[Mad_Coachman]

That "sealant" that you refer to looks like anti-freeze seeping out. I had a small drip of that below where my throttle body attaches.