Just curious if it's necessary to change the intake gaskets when replacing the starter, GS400. Price is around $50 for new gaskets.

 

Yes replace it. Unless they have been replaced within a few weeks, the ones in your car will not work after you take them out. They're at least 7 years old now. $50 is not a lot for gaskets anyways, especially if they're OEM,

 

Not the answer I was looking for.

 

What's kind of answer were you looking for?

You replace the intake manifold gasket when you remove the manifold, to get access to the starter...

 

Oh wait, were you hoping for me to say no?

 

No, I'm rebuilding my starter, and the intake gaskets seem to be in nearly perfect condition. I'm just going to re-use them. Need to stop the bleeding.

 

A little more info - You don't have to remove the water cross-over pipe at the back of the cylinder heads, to get the starter out. It was fairly easy to remove the starter bolts from the top of the engine, easier than the LS. I bought the parts to rebuild my starter from Sewell, for $57.00 delivered, including new armature bearings, and the solenoid contacts and plunger. The rest of the starter looks nearly new, with 101K miles.

 

I replaced mine when I changed out the starter... you prolly could get away with it, but I didn't want to risk it personally, or have to do it again, so I bought all the gaskets i MAY even need, including the ones between the upper, and lower part of the intake, never used them though.


You are correct, the LS was tough, and I couldnt do it without removing the cross over pipe.

here is the pic from my 98LS400.

 

Thanks GRAND_LS4 - I finished rebuilding my starter with new solenoid plunger and contacts and new bearings. Everything went fairly easy. I re-used my intake gaskets, no problem. Total cost was about $75 with new injector o-rings and the rebuild parts.

 

How long did it take you to rebuild your starter ? And also how difficult was it ?