General Motors started producing the 3.4-liter V-6, or 3400, in 1993. Three different variants of this engine being manufactured until 2005. GM's first 3.4-liter was found in the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. By 1996, the Detroit-founded company had developed another version of the engine, common in minivans, full-sized sedans and sport utility vehicles. Replacing the intake manifold gasket on the 3.4-liter V-6 motors involves a similar procedure in all versions. With the right tools and direction, this procedure can be done at home on any flat surface.
Locate the panel door, near the brake and gas pedals, and pry it open with a flat head screwdriver. Find the relay plug marked "fuel pump" and remove this part with your hand. Start the engine and let the car idle until the lack of fuel causes the engine to halt.
Open the hood of your vehicle to access the engine. Wait until the engine is completely cooled for maintenance. Unscrew the bolt that holds the negative connection to the car's battery to disconnect the electrical flow throughout the engine. Move this negative connector away from the battery.
Position an empty container beneath your engine's radiator, located on the passenger side near the front of the engine bay. Locate the drain plug on the underside of the radiator, and align the container accordingly. Twist off the radiator filler cap and place it aside for later use. Pull the drain plug out from the bottom of the radiator and let all of the engine coolant drain into the container. Replace the drain plug when this has finished.
Label all of the electrical wiring and hoses that connect to the intake manifold. The spark plug wires can be accessed when you remove the distributor cap. Unfasten the electrical wiring from the alternator and distributor, setting these parts aside for later use. Open the air filter box and unhook the filter from the air intake tube. Disconnect the intake tube from the throttle body. Remove the hoses from the throttle body and disassemble it completely.
Unbolt the upper intake manifold from the engine and lift it slowly away. Set this part aside for later use after installation. Pry the intake manifold gasket off of the engine with a flat head screwdriver and dispose of properly.
Scrape any grime or build-up that has formed over the years to create a clean surface for the new gasket installation. Apply engine degreaser liberally with a linen cloth and wipe any remaining grease from the engine surface.
Apply gasket sealant to both sides of the new intake manifold gasket before setting it in place. Now, align the gasket so that the holes align perfectly with the cylinder holes.
Position the old intake manifold so that the holes align with the newly-installed gasket. Install the manifold bolts a little bit at a time until all bolts have been tightened to 30 foot-pounds of pressure with a torque wrench.
Reinstall all of the electrical wiring, hoses, and parts that were removed for this procedure in the opposite order that you removed them.
Pour the engine coolant back into the engine's radiator and replace the filler cap when you are finished.
Bolt the negative connection to the engine's battery to restore electrical current. Replace the fuel pump relay.
