One of my clients, the owner of the Chevy Cruze, was angry as hell with the Chevy dealership after they charged him almost $1000 for replacing the intake manifold and head cover gasket in the 1.4 Turbo engine.
The intake manifold replacement is a pretty common task you may require to be done in the 1.4 Tubo engine in the Chevy Cruze, so the cost is really important. And why is it so expensive? Can you do this on your own? Where to take parts and tools?
I will try to answer all these questions really promptly.
How much is it to replace the intake manifold in the Chevy Cruze?
I'm talking here about the 1.4 Tubo engine as I have almost no experience with the 1.8L one.
So, the intake manifold from GM will cost you about $300. You can get some Chinese no-brand manifold for $120 out there but I strongly recommend you buy the OEM one.
The manifold should come with the valve cover gasket because you will need to replace one in the process as the valve cover will have to be taken off.
And the labor price will be different in various places. I believe the cheapest labor you can get is about $400. I mean, if you go to an independent but really good and trusted shop.
If you choose to go to the dealership, the labor price will grow to about $700. And there is no reason to do that because they won't do it better than a good independent shop.
And finally, you get the bill of about $1000 for replacing your intake manifold in the Chevy Cruze 1.4L Turbo. Yes, this is the normal price and you can save some money by going to a non-dealership shop. But check if you can trust that shop before you leave your car there!
Why are intake manifolds so bad in your Chevy Cruze?
Well, the intake manifold for the 1.4L Turbo GM engine is made of plastic. This plastic is pretty cheap and over time it loses its flexibility and gets hard and vulnerable. It will inevitably crack, this is just a question of time.
What happens when it cracks? Your mass airflow sensor (MAF) sends the wrong data to the ECU because more or less air actually comes into the cylinders. There is a hole in the intake manifold and it leaks air or sucks in more air than needed.
This leads to such issues:
- unstable idling of the engine;
- poor power;
- limp mode;
- check engine light and various codes;
- MAF sensor code;
- engine misfiring, knocking, and rattling.
These are the obvious symptoms of the cracked intake manifold. Please check it anytime you have these symptoms before you replace the MAF and other parts - otherwise, you will throw away your money without getting any good results.
Can you replace the intake manifold on your own?
Potentially, you can do this work on your own if you have a good manual or find a good video tutorial. But this is not a really easy job and there are a lot of things that can be screwed up with the engine not starting in the end.
I recommend finding a good mechanic for this job because installing the intake manifold in the wrong way may affect the work of the engine and eventually kill it. Also, the head cover gasket may leak if it's installed incorrectly.
To do the job, you will need proper tools, and you will also need to know the proper torque of the bolts. Otherwise, the newly installed manifold may crack or leak air immediately.
Where to take parts and tools?
If you decide to install the manifold on your own, you will need to buy it first. It's possible online but make sure you check the compatibility of the manifold with your engine. For this, the best practice is to use the VIN code to find the parts.
Also, you may need a torque wrench. Other than that, you won't need anything special.
Make sure, you buy the new OEM valve cover gasket.
Generally, I only recommend OEM parts and accessories for this engine as any aftermarket options seem to be pretty bad.
Who can replace the Cruze intake manifold cheaper?
While the dealership bill of $1000 labor plus parts seems to be pretty depressing, you may try to find the cheaper option.
And there certainly is the cheaper option - some independent shops or even private mechanics. Maybe, your neighbor or cousin is a good car mechanic and they will help you with a can of beer or something.
When taking your Cruze to an independent shop, make sure you check if it's a trusted shop. Check reviews and ratings online and talk to a mechanic who will actually repair your car.
Any experience with Chevy Cruze intake manifold replacement? Please write in the comments below!
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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