I had the local dealership diagnose my '03 SS recently. I was told that the intake gaskets were "weeping", not leaking, and would need replaced, and would run about $1000.00, because they flush the coolant, they also told me that the valve cover gaskets would "HAVE" to be replaced as part of the service.

According to the cheap "Haynes" (and by cheap, I mean trusty) manual, there is no need to remove the valve covers.

Now, of course, I'm going to replace the valve cover gaskets while I'm there. Why Not?Inexpensive and easy maintenance.

My in/experience was that I replaced intakes on a 2.8L S-15 (old) truck and found that the pushrods went through the intake gaskets.

Also, DEX-Cool? shoud I replace it while I'm in that deep. Or is that better left up to a shop thatcan "flush" the system?

 

Okay so intake gaskets are a common problem with the 3800. (and most all GM motors) It is a 90* V6 so there is no need to take the valve covers/heads off, but like you said valve cover gaskets are easy. The 2.8L V6 along with the 3100, 3300, 3400, 3500 (I think the 3500) are all 60* V6 motors so yes, to replace the intakes the heads need to come off too. The DexCool...replace it with extended life prestone coolant; there is no need to "flush" the system.