Update: Valley Pan Cover and Gasket replaced. Dealer also replaced 4 intake manifold gaskets as well as some o rings and gaskets for the cooling pipe at the back of the engine. All of the parts and 6.13 hrs of labor was covered under warranty. The new cover/gasket is a much improved design that should last the rest of the life of the vehicle. Apparently mine had been leaking for a while based the amount of dried coolant they claim they had to clean up in the valley.

While the were in there I also had them change 2 heater hoses coming off the coiling pipe at the back of the engine as well as an oil return line coming off the crankcase oil separator (I had already changed the two hoses running into the separator that sit on top of the engine that eventually turn to mush). These were preventative moves since the intake manifold needs to be removed to get at the heater hoses and the oil return hose is much easier to get at.

I was pleasantly surprised that the valleu pan was replaced under warranty. I also think the vehicle idles much quieter/smoother. Not sure if it really does, but I'm thinking the new gaskets on the intake manifold and the re-torquing of the fastening bolts might have improved air intake...who knows.

So, good ending on this one for me with dealer. The valley pan gasket replacement is one of two things that I've been wondering when I would have to deal with. The other is the infamous transmission issue that a few people have dealt with, that hopefully won't happen at all or for a very long time.