Right wing ramblings from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| Right wing ramblings from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. | |
I’m compelled to post this, as I find it is a serious problem and I want a record here and on the web of my problem. My 2nd GM product with a 3.4 engine, a 2001 Montana, is costing me big time. The major problem, the coolant system, is costing my close to $3000 for a van with 160k ... not much.
Many others have the same problems. They say it is related to DEXCOOL, made by Texaco - that eats gaskets. Petitions are being signed. Lawsuits are being launched.
170k: head gasket: did both. had to redo the intake gasket as it had to be removed to get to head.
172k: noticed hood is bubbling near the wiper area. this was due to ice buildup removing some paint...due to bad design of wiper area. check engine light is on again. battery is going. power door is acting up. power steering assist seems to be low
175k. giving up - van is now 4 sale! I know I’ll take a beating for it...listed at 13750...hoping for 10k.
bought a 2004 Toyota Sienna. So far with 3000k, like a dream machine.
Sorry to hear about the issues - however, I have an 01 Aztek same powerplant and aside from a factory warranty new transmission, I HAVE HAD ZERO problems at 172K. Some cars and trucks are just built poorly at the factory and you never know. Sad but true.
Had multiple chevy’s, all have had head gasket problems - 96 corsica - 4 head gaskets by 160k miles, 2002 Cavalier - 2 head gaskets by 70k miles, 91 Beretta V6 - cracked head, replaced, and then 2 head gaskets with new head by 100k miles - we now have a toyota and a honda, no problems on either car, honda 68k miles and the toyota has 72k miles
I have a Buick Lesabre 3800 V6. After three transmissions we won a replacement vehicle in arbitration under the Iowa Lemon Law. GM refused to comply and after two years we are in court July 21, 2004. Has anyone knowledge or experience with multiple problems with Lesabre’s and their transmissions.
I bought a new 2003 aztek had it 6 months now ,and have had both front wheel bearings replaced, all 4 lights on the front because of water in them, and the shifter module replaced also the starter . not satasfided at all but they say its under warranty
99 Olds Van. 3.4 engine been using coolant since I bought it, from Hal Wright Chev Olds Cadilac in Owen Sound. GM dealer in Port Elgin told me of the problem when I purchased the Dex Cool coolant to top it up. Down again its not leaking much but will still be 1000 to fix.
i have a 1997 pontiac grand prix gtp
3.8 v6 supercharged 189 k ,replaced transmission once under warranty ,according to gm all 4t60-4t65 transmissions were built with poor worki conditions causing high levels of debris to enter while assembling so most transmissions will need replacements or need to be overhauled its actually a gm technical service bulletin affecting all makes all models all years
I have 2002 Aztek with 85k, so far replaced: a/c, turn signal, cpu in engine and now front wheel barings need replaced and anti lock light on. Of course warranty is expired. GM says to bad.
the transmission is not just for the lesabre all gm fwd (front wheel drive) vehicles with v6 powerplants all use the same transmissions (4t60,and the 4t65 yours may very with an E at the end) the 4t60 is very common and has many issues anyways like gm’s plastic upper plenum that dumps coolant into the cylinders but anyways -you can find the 4t60(E) in vehicles with a 3100 (3.1)
3400 (3.4) and the 3800 (3.8) the 4t65(E) mainly used in supercharged applications and have a better quality to them but ive seen them get ruined within the first 30,000 miles of actual life hmmmm gm has it out of warranty like a science but if you bitch and moan enough to your dealer tell them you’ll give them bad c.s.i. report they may get you a new trans or anything for that matter under goodwill warranty which is b.s. to me but hey i won my transmission like that
100k - both front wheel bearings bad. one side literally fell apart as I took it off.
120k- had right rear blinker and and brake light broken (not the bulb - some type of wiring issue).
121k - upper intake manifold gasket bad.
125k - EGR bad.
Don’t ever plan on buying General Motors again - no matter what they offer, because it will just fall apart shortly after the warranty expires - allowing GM to double collect - 1.) on the sale of the car, and 2.) on the sale of all the parts to rebuild the car when it falls apart. Not a bad investment for GM because this equals DOUBLE PROFITS.
If anyone has had problems involving bad gaskets (like head gaskets or upper intake gaskets) I would encourage them to join a class action lawsuit started against GM.
I have had 4, 3.1 liter GM engines and all have had to have the intake manifold gasket replaced at least once usually by 75k at a cost of $750. I’m told the 3.4 liter is basically the same engine and has the same problems. Buyer Beware!!
Also my 2002 Aztek required 2 front wheel bearings after only 44,000 miles. This seems to be a common problem with many GM SUV’s. GM agreed to fix my for a $100 deductable. It would have been $850. I expect it to happen again as I’m told it’s a lousy design.
GM is getting very sloppy. They are not maintaining their equipment in their plants. Instead of preventative maintainance, they run their machines till they break. I suspect this results in parts with poor tolerances resulting in poor quality in the finished product. And they wonder why they are loosing market share.
97 grand prix 206,000 miles and not one single problem, 3800 with 4t60
I’ve got a 1996 Pontiac Grand AM with 253,000 miles (400,000+ Kilometers) and the lower intake gasket finally let go, puking Dex-Cool on the ground, not internally. Upper and lower intake gaskets replaced. Now it runs as if it’s not firing on all 6 cylinders. Great car, going to keep it for a little while longer. 
I own two vehicles both with the 3.4 in them and I have put new intake gaskets on both and have had to replace one motor all together. Be ware don’t buy if it has the GM 3.4 motor.
2001 venture. Same thing. Tranny has gone out twice in 4 years, Intake manifold gasket, oil pressure sending unit, fuel level sensor, A/C.
No way will I buy GM again.
2001 Lumina - 3.4 engine. Intake manifold gasket failed at about 70K repair cost $700. Car now has 154000 no problems. Friend with a 2001 Lumina (3.4), his intake manifold gasket failed at about 60K. No transmission problems. Still bad rumors out there about 3.4 engine. Hear good things about 3.8 engine but you have to buy an LS to get it.
I have a 1998 chevy pickup w/ a 5.7 Lt. engine. The Intake manifold gasket broke. I noticed because it was “using” antifreeze. I had the gasket replaced. That bill was $500. It was to late by the time i found the problem and had it fixed because all of the antifreeze i was putting in was going right to the oil in the oil pan. The Dex-cool antifreeze then literally chewed up the bearings on the crankshaft and there i was at 15 yrs. old w/ a nice $10,000 pickup w/ a blown motor. I sold some irreplacable centimental colletables i had to buy a new motor. I switched the motors out myself. WITHOUT my labor included this ended up costing me about $7-8,000.
I ahve a 1999 pontiac transport, 125KM. Have had to replace Celenoid switch on transmission, $ 500.00. Have had to replace intake gasket, $995.00. Many other small problems…
Everyone I know with similar vehicle has had to replace intake and most head gasket too.
I have a 2001 Chevy Venture piece of crap.
Replaced brake discs at 17,000 km, replaced rear shock at 21,000, replaced transmission at 32,000 km(6 weeks out of warranty), replaced brake discs again at 33,000 km, and this weekend had to have head gaskets done at a great cost at 55,000km.
I am not hard driving on this van, I have my family in it at most times, it is not a sports car and is not driven as one. Yet GM blames my driving habits.
Never ever will I buy another GM product.
If they gave me one I would sell it.
I have a 98 Malibu, V-6 3100. After only 2 years it began to slowly lose coolant. I could not find the leak. A few months later the valve lifters became noisy. I took it in and the mechanic showed me the inside of the engine. All gummed up. At least it was fixed under warranty. But now at 75K miles it’s happening all over again. The paint peeled off my Corsica, and now this with the Malibu. I’ll never buy another GM!
There is alot to read through hear, but at the risk of repeating another post, here are my findings.
It seems GM, Ford have what have been called “secret warranties”, some specifically about slipping transmissions and intake manifold leaks.
It is worth looking into
http://www.lemonaidcars.com/secret_warranties.htm
99 chevy lumina intake gasket failure at 80,000 km. Intake manifold bolt stripped at factory so that when thermostat fails the coolant pressure causes gasket failure.Check engine light comes only after gasket and a heally coil is installed on stripped bolt.Check engine code than reveals thermostat failure. $900 repair waiting for anyone who owns 3.1, 3.4 gm motor. Change thermostat often!
2001 Grand Prix SE with the 3.1 -Intake manifold gasket started leaking after 110,000. The dilema is do I have a small shop do it or take it to a dealer?
2003 Montana
48,000 mi - Replaced two front wheel brearings, head gasket and warped flywheel cover. Many squeaks and rattles. I think I may trade it in while I still can get manoey out of it.
I was told by a co worker that the torqe spec for the 3.4 intake was 35 INCH pounds. I believe that works out to be 8 foot pounds. not enough.
I have a 1997 Transport. I bought it with 170K. Intanke manifolds were done at that time. It know has 220k. Just put head gaskets on it. Does anyone know what the oil pressure should be at.
Hi
I have a 1997 grand am had the intake gasket done at 80k and again at 170k. I now have 280k still runs great.The trans does not go into gear on cold days? I must wait about 3 or 4 min before i can put the car in drive or nothing happens.
I have a Chevy Venture with the 3.4L engine & 69,000 original miles. I am spending about $700.00 to have the intake gasket problem fixed. Needless to say, not happy!
Lynn, Fight with GM to not pay for the intake work. I did and recieved part of what I put out (only because I had the work done at Canadian Tire)
This is a known problem that even GM knows about.
Call customer service and complain… loudly...many times if need be… do not take NO for an answer.
I have owned 13 GM vehicles since I received my drivers license and have driven them all well over 100,000 miles with out any problems. I think the real issue is how the car is driven/maintained by their owners not the manufacturer.
OK. Two GM vehicles. Both broke. Equals no vehicle at all in a six-person family with both spouses working in opposite directions 25 miles apart. 1998 Chevy 1500: flywheel is broken. Easy fix, right. Cept you have to drop the transmission to do it. Lot of work. Any suggestions? And I only owe one more payment!
#2: 01 Pontiac Montanna. Broke motor. Started overheating as though head gasket blown, except no water in the oil. Lower intake manifold (known to be troublesome) not source either. Diagnosis: loud knocking noise in the “lower engine area” What does this mean. Can’t find a reasonable replacement engine (remember, four kids and two parents.. I need help). 118,000 miles on the van; got a year left to pay on that one.
Help?!!!!?
2001 Aztec. Have replaced 5 yes 5 front wheel barings 3 driver side 2 pass side. only the first 2 changes covered by warrenty first at 19K and second at 45k one side then the other. Now at 185K after 3 more baring replacements the head gasket is blown. Replaced all head lights at least twice (Moisture in lamp housing) I hate this vehicle and the way I have been treated by the dealer / service center. I have bought and driven Chevy and Pontiac my entire life and still own a 1988 C4 however I will never buy a GM product again for the rest of my life. Nor will any member of my family. Nor (if I can convince them) any friend I know. GM refued to recall for the baring issue. The service tech informed me (after I told them I refused to pay $380.00 to replace a baring for the 5th time) that if I tried to drive it eventualy it would cease and the wheel could break away. Not good if your on the highway. I hope nobody has to die before GM come to their sences.
P.S I take very meticulous care of my vehicals oil, coolent, transmition fluid changes etc. This vehical has been well looked after. No Excuses!!!!
You can use the starter bolts in place of the transmisson bell housing bolts at the bottom then slide the trans back on the bolts to change out the flywheel. This way you don’t have to drop the tranny.
I have a 2002 Jimmy with a 4.3 L engine and had to replace the lower intake manifold gasket (#3 coolant leak). This leak was noted @ 49,818 km, during oil change at a Certigard 36 days after warranty expired. Last serviced at Goodwrench @ 46.143 km. Contacted GM yesterday after seeing story on CTV, to ask for reimbursement. They declined. Anyone else have leak on the 4.3?
1995 Chevrolet Beretta, bought new in 1995 for $11,000. 3.1 3100 V6 went through two sets in Intake gaskets in 100K. First set was replaced by the dealer for about $800.00 at 66K. Second set went at 91K, which I replaced my self. At 101K the head gasket blew out, causing the motor to overheat badily and lock up. I now have a $11,000 lawn orterment
2001 Venture- went through transmission (thankfully while on warranty), a/c, radiator, gasket ect. We’ve spent on average 4000 a year on repairs. Now it has a slipped bearing in the engine and with having just spent 1100 to repair the gasket we don’t have anymore money to fix it. I live 20 minutes out of town in the country and have no vehicle to get into town with 3 little kids. We complained about the engine overheating while it was still on warranty and GM could never find the problem. HMMMM.... Will never buy another GM product. WHO DO I CONTACT ABOUT THE LAWSUIT?
I have a Venture van 1998 intake gasket went on my van costing me a new motor. when it went in to the dealers they told me they could fix it they had to rip down the motor 3 times. When I picked up the van it was making all kinds of noise.They said it would stop this cost me 2700.00.Noise became louder so I went to another garage and was told bearing where gone and needed to replace engine costing me another 5000.00.
Can anyone tell me the latest on the Canadian Class action lawsuit against GM? Who is the law firm? How does one get on board?
Mike
The GM lawsuit is the best thing that ever happened to my family in 5 years. GM has cost me $4500.00 with this problem. Here is the website I am going to look forward to watching GM go bankrupt as the US lawsuit is suppose to top 12 BILLION dollars.
http://www.classproceedings.ca
I have had my intake gasket fixed 3 times in 3 years. GM told me it was because improper maintainence. They won’t do anything for me.
I have an 98 Buick Century with about 168,000km I only found out the intake Manifold last week because I read it in my local paper.
About 6 weeks ago, my mechanic told me my mainfold intake was leaking coolant into the motor. I didn’t believe him but when I saw puddles under my car I knew I had to get it fixed, 2 weeks later it cost me 1065.00 to have it fixed. When I called GM for a reembursement they said there was only a three warranty.
NOT HAPPY. NO MORE GM CARS FOR ME. Hello Toyota,Madza
I posted on March 9, 2006 with regard to my 2002 Chevy Venture and the coolant that I could see as residue under the van. I contacted GM customer assistance at 800 222-1020 and described the issue as possibly being an intake manifold gasket failure. I was assigned a file number and instructed to take the vehicle to a GM dealership for diagnosis of the problem (at 69,154 miles on the odometer). It was the intake manifold gasket that had failed! With the cost of the repair to be approx. $1100.00 (US) I was requested to pay $250.00 toward the repair and a GM “goodwill” warranty took care of the balance. I agreed to pay the $250.00. This was March 14 and my wife drove the van to South Carolina and stayed a week. On April 26, I took the vehicle back to the same dealer to check for another leak (at 72,300 miles)!! This time the head gasket had blown. I did not have to argue/plead for any goodwill consideration from GM; the dealer repaired this problem w/o any cost to me, except for two days without a vehicle. I hope that this is the end of this type of issue and that I can drive another 45K to 50K miles and then get another vehicle.
Is there any more information on a recall or GM assistance with the gasket replacements? My 2000 Impala with the 3.4L has only 75K but needs the gaskets replaced.....leaking coolant into the engine. Please reply.
I have a 2001 pontiac montana van with 67k. I bought it with 45k. In the miles between I have replaced the rotars, the power side door actuator ($550.00) and now the motor ($700.00). It has the famous 3.4 motor which the intake gaskets are leaking and it also makes a loud clater. Worse than lifter noise This has been the most expensive gm product I have ever owned....
I located and assisted a freind in buying a 1997 Grand Am SE with GM’s 3100 V6. My freind has had the not not even 1 full week and the intake gasket died. Luckily the car was bought at a dealer with an aftermarket warranty. What a nightmare this is for him.
I have paid $1100.00 to fix the intake manifold gasket on a 98/Grand am/se sedan. GM has said it is outside of the parameters (113000km) and can not help me. All regular maintenance has been done at GM dealerships during it’s life and we are extremely annoyed as we have purchased 5 brand new GM vehicles in our immediate family. I would like to further pursue this matter and have all documentation.
97 Pontiac Bonneville 3800 engine the upper intake manifold that is made of plastic is leaking coolant into the 6th cylinder causing the engine to misfire; at 74,000k because of this I was able to buy the car really cheap, also I had to replace the ABS unit. There are plenty of affordable aftermarket upper intakes available that supposedly have better design. This is a very common problem for the gm 3800 series engine my favorite part is that that engine made it into the top then best engines in the world for 97-98 and it’s really nice the way gm made the valve covers out of plastic and covered the whole ordeal with an engine cover so it don’t look as ugly.-----What I recommend first thing for you to do if you have a GM car is to get rid of that Dex-Cool collant right away sinse it will gell. As far as figuring out if you have a leaking manifold goes: warm up the engine and drive the car really hard and trust me you will either smell something or you will see something but don’t panic GM’s are cheap to fix.-----I am always amazed when I read how GM has the same problems year after year and they just don’t get it.
hi, i am a licensed general motors technician
i know the intakes leak alot, its true,
but do your dealer and tecnicians a favor,
dont get mad at them, the dealership does not make the product, nor do they have any part in designing the product, if the technicians did, we would be able to fix anything in 5 mins, which we obviously cant
blame the engineers at the general motors plant, not the people at the dealer.
we dont work for gm, we work for the dealership owner. we only find problems and fix them
gmc has specific rules, if they will not goodwill a fault, its their choice (shitty) but there is nothing the dealership can do
so dont blame us
contact gm and bitch at them
thanks
feel free to email me and ask more questions
GET YOUR $$$$$$$ BACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There has now been a class action lawsuit launched in Canada. I have spoken with 1 of the lawyers, he told me that the more people they can get to fill out a questionaire, the better their chances are of winning the class action suit. Then most likely GM would be responsible to payback all people with this problem.
The site is http://www.classsproceedings.ca go to the GM case and print off the questionaire and send it in.
Let get our $$$$ back.
May14/06 Bought a 2001 chevy venture 7 months ago had to replace intake gaskets heads now leaking might have internal damage and on the way to the shop to replace the manifold gasket the transmission took a crap on me. What a nightmare got the transmission replaced under the extended warranty i bought but they only covered that i payed to replace the gaskets out of my own pocket $750.00 now I find out all this other stuff and I can’t afford to do any more. WOW 10 grand for 7 months use thanx GM your the best. I’ve got a 1988 & 1989 honda accord in my back yard that have over 300 thousand kilometers each and I have had very little problems with them no motors or trannys ever replaced in either car.I’ll never buy domestic again.And they wonder why they’re having money problems it’s all junk..........
bought new gmc ventur van 1999 in nov of 98. ran well till summer of 2004 . exhaust and head gasket were replaced an an qualified goodrench G.M. mec shop. Van began to have problems again in nov of 2005 where exhaust forced thru gasket to cooling system created an air lock overheating engine and warping heads. Still owed 5300 on van and cleared it on may of 2006. van sat ad estimate to repair was too much. afrer working a deal for new vechicle gm did not approve tranaction. claimed history of late payments,. they were paid in full including high late payment charges. will never buy any gm product again. van sits in driveway., peice or garbage.
Bought a 2001 Aztec Nov.2005 with 72K intake gaskets going at 79K. Service manager at dealer trying to stick me for an additional $300 to flush out motor. Now the trans has just started to shift with a bang too. I wish I had read these blogs before I bought this monster money pit. Herb i Chitown, Il.
If you have a intake leaking coolent, is it worth fixing, or selling, how do you know if it is working fixing, can you tell with sounds, etc??
thanks,
Concern driver of a leaking In-Take.
I bought a pontiac transport 98 biggest mistake in my life replaced rack 3time 2 were under warranty
hed casket twice in 3 yrs also got into an accident on the highway were i lost total steering i could spin steering wheel right around insurance and dealership ,GM screwed me
Id never buy a gm product again and i hope nobody else does
THEIR GARBAGE
I did a quick fix on the intake with some epoxy and a piece of copper pipe, worked like a charm. It’s in here (scroll to bottom) http://ironlizard.blogspot.com
I can;t recommend it, but if anyone gets in a cash flow crisis, it’s worked for me for over a year 1/2 with serious miles.
Got a 98 Transport - replace two head gasket; 3 engine seals; 2 catalitic converters (the second under warranty) .. The dealership wants to take my vehicle off the road, they told me I will never pass another EMS certification - The dealership offered to discount $ 1000 on an engine replacement, but they would only put in an engine from a wreck vehicle .. Goes to show you want GM thinks of their customers .. I have been driving the 98 transport with a check engine light for 10 months, waiting forthe vehicle to die - will by foreign next
GM AZTEK PROBLEMS same hub/bearing THEY said were OK while on warranty - now THEY are pleased to charge me over $2000 to replace - Radio still cuts out - gas gauge still fluctuates wildly - rear drive still sounds like a bull farting when you turn a corner - smells of burnt rubber after a trip—70,000 km and this thing is JUNK! - Should have listened to friends who bought a new Ford SUV in 1999 now have 275,000 km and spent $0.00 on repairs because Ford had the decency to recall it for some minor replacement parts AFTER the warranty period.
Seems like a lot of Azteks and Ventures with this problem, my 97 Monte Carlo hasn’t had that issue. I have to believe that GM,Ford and Chrysler all design these problems so they can make money on parts. I’ve read people’s posts that have had GM vehicles last from 500k to 900k with no major issues...hard to find,sure, but proof that they CAN build good vehicles but would rather build only OK vehicles and focus on making money on parts. If anyone thinks the japanese cars are THAT much better...not always, remember they have a lot of extra moving parts and will cost that much more in the long run. The Japs are just smart enough to build everything else to last!! I’ve owned both and they’ve both cost me $$, just in different parts. I think the domestics have learned the hard way that their tactics have backfired on them.
Hi, its me again.
for those of you who bought an all wheel drive (versatrak) montana, aztek, venture, rendezvous all have my pity
the rear differentials in those vans are like 6000 just for the part
they are not servicable, you cannot buy parts for them, the only thing you can do with those diferentials is change the axle shaft ouput seals and the fluid, oh yeah the fluid is 50 dollars per unit (bottle) and you need 4 units
changing the fluid will not prevent the diff from failing,
if it starts grinding and you dont have warranty, they you can forkup 6 g notes for a new one, plus the labour to install
so if you know somone who is looking at buying a montana, aztek, rendezvous or venture, make you you tell them not to get the verzatrak all wheel drive
its a mini van why would you need all wheel drive,
if you need it they go and buy a ‘real’ suv
this is just a little tid bit to help you people out there
thanks alot
bye
I purchased a 2001 Pontiac Grand AM & at 29,000 miles leaking oil.I had to have the intake manifold gasked replaced & also they advised a wheel bearing was bad. Covered under warranty. At 42,00 I complained to GM Dealer regarding loss of anti freeze, they took it in and did a pressure check etc and stated “No leaks, holding pressure”. At 54,000 I had a massive anti freeze leak, (blown head gasket) cost me $1500.00 at GM Dealer to repair. GM would offer me no help.I wont even mention the little things I brought it in for.I now own a Toyota Camry.
I would also like to add to my last entry. I am convinced that the DexCool anti freeze is the problem. I had to use a pair of water pump pliers to get the overfill tank open to add anti freeze. the stuff in there was like cement.
I’m sorry that I have to disagree with you. I used to have your opinion about GM. I have had 4 straight GM vehicles with problems that severe. I take very good care of my vehicles. Problems are unacceptable. I will never buy GM again uless Toyota and Honda start having problems like I have had. 3.4 engine is a lemon. Intake gasket should be class actioned against gm. I am anti lawsuit but this one is an exception.
I have a 2003 Montana with ABS and I am now on the second set of front wheel bearings at 161,000 km. Dealer says nothing wrong and that I’m most likely driving it too hard..it’s a montana for crying out loud..how can you drive it too hard..never GM again.
I have a pontiac grand am 3.4 L and I am at 174K and going in for gasket replacements. Not to mention all the other problems with the car. My question is can we use different coolant other than dex cool? i cooled for about a week then i took it off the road and now im just getting the work done. I have heard many stories of pontiacs and certain models having head gasket problems. I love my car to death but the engine design and the way it was built was very poorly. Anyways, anyone please feel free to email with questions comments. Id also like to know if there is a canadian petition and maybe possibly start one?
thanks,
mike
same problems. cars going in tommorow. anyone know of a petition?possibly start one? contact me questions,concerns
mike
Hi,
What do I do and where do I go to get my name on the lawsuit pending with GM regarding the manifold gasket etc. problems. If anyone can help me please email. Thank you. I have a 2003 Venture Van.
Thanks
It would be nice for the original poster to get the facts straight and not confuse the rest of the world! (1) The 3.4 engine is a dual over head cam engine.
(2) The 3400 engine (which is in the montana, grand am, etc, etc.) is a slightly larger version of the 3100. My point is: the 3.4 is totally different than the 3400.
My husband has a 2000 Chevy impala. It started running hot a few months ago, and we had to replace the fans. When we took them ou we saw that the motor had been blown in the fans. Well now it’s running hot again. We have replaced the water pump amd thermostat, but it is still running hot. There is water bubbling in the overflow. My dad thinks it is a warped head. Anybody have any ideas?
NOT IMPRESSED AT ALL WITH VENTURE VAN 1998 ... INTAKE MANIFOLD WENT ... WE HAD IT FIXED BUT COOLANT HAD WENT INTO ENGINE ... YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS THEN.. ENGINE GOES!!! BUT ROY NICHOLS THOUGHT MAYBE OIL PUMP SO THEY REPLACED.. BUT VAN WAS SCREWED BY THIS POINT… DEALERSHIP CHARGED 960.00 FOR NEW OIL PUMP… VAN NEEDED NEW ENGINE COST US 3500.00 MORE ALL IN TOLL. TO FIX THAT VAN AT 112.000 KM 5000.00 ... WE WERE SO MAD BUT NOTHING WAS DONE TO COMPENSATE US ... WE CAN NOT MAINTAIN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. 2 YEARS LATER VAN STARTED SHOWING SIGNS AGAIN WITH THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE GOING SKY HIGH AND THEN GOING DOWN AND BACK UP AGAIN… TECHNICIAN LOOKED AT IT AND SURE ENOUGH SMELLED COOLANT.. SUSPECTED INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET PROBLEM IN A 99 MOTOR SO WE GOT RID OF THE VENTURE VAN. NEVER WILLL BYE A GM VEHICLE AGAIN.. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW I GET MY MONEY BACK!!! THANKS FOR READING !!
I have a 96 chevy lumina, I have torn down the engine to find that the lower intake manifold plastic seal on the rear of the engine drivers side closest to the radiator hose neck is broken and the rubber seal is deformed in the shape of an “S” where it should be Straight in that area. I think this is the only source of the coolant leak into the crankcase but am afraid that there could be a head gasket leak issue as well. What are the statistics on and engine with 120 K miles on it and having this coolant leak at the intake gasket also having a blown head gasket? I have talked with tech’s at dealerships and other garages (Freinds) and they report once they find this type of coolant leak they just replace the intake gasket and put the engine back together and don’t worry about the head gaskets. Will a failed PCV valve or Thermostat (usually the cause of this type of failure) also blow the head gasket as well? I figure as long as I have the engine this far apart should I just replace the head gaskets as well or is is safe to ignor them?
i recently purchased a 96 pontiac grand am thinking i got the best deal ever, then about 200miles later the check engine light came on! All the gauges seem to read in its tolerance, but i noticed that the temperature was kind of high! I parked it back at my house so it can cool down! Later that day i added fluid and drove it towards the mechanic shop! Five minutes into the drive, i notice the temperature going up fast and then white smoke shoots out the pipes! The head gasket gave out!........Don’t ever buy a pontiac because they are at the lowest chain of GM’s line of #### cars! No wonder asian made cars are soo popular?
2000 Pontiac Montana 105,000 kms
head gasket gone, called GM help line...GM says they are not repsonsible and will not help
also gone...(1) wheel bearing, (2) front strut, (3) rear shocks, (4) rear wiper motor, (5) air conditioning, (6) fuel sending unit, (7) paint falling off hood, (8) brake lines (9) wiper motor
and lets not forget the (10) head gasket
GM is total fucking junk!!!!!!
I will never buy another Gm product
Hi ex-GM folks,
I was looking for a used Pontiac and was looking at the Bonnevilles. Nice car until I started reading about these intake manifolds and dex-cool. I also looked at used Toyotas. And they’re using dex-cool too. So if it’s a dex-cool problem, it may be wide spread.
Same problems down here though with the intake manifold. But get this - it is not only GM but Ford/Mercury has the same problem. I have a 96 Grand Marquis 4.6L. The plastic intake manifold cracked at 111,000 miles. It wasn’t the gastkets or seals or the antifreeze (i use the green stuff - Prestone). It was the composite material - replacement cost $1,100 US. The Goodyear shop that did the repairs told me it is a common problem. I said what - intake manifold cracking? Searched the Internet and found tons of these complaints. Ford was sued. Ford issued a claim period of like 01/2006 to 03/2006 to file a claim for repairs costs. Of course mine failed in 04/2006. No Ford recall issued on the intake manifold. I am dropping Ford AND GM off my used car list after reading all of this about the composite intake manifold and Dex-cool. I am leary about that Dex-Cool stuff now after reading this and many other postings.
I’ll be up there for Klondike Days visiting my sister and her family in Edmonton! I’ll probably see more Toyotas, Hondas, and Mazdas on the the Canadian roadways! Best of luck, eh? 
I have 2000 Montana 230,000 km. I have changed the intake gaskets twice, water pump, rear shocks, 3 front hub kits on drivers side and one hub kit on passenger side. Transmission is starting to give out shifting hard! Love the way the Van rides and drives don’t appreciate the crappy parts! I too will be buying a toyota or Honda for my next purchase!
got a 1999 buicl century keeps leaking water onto the floor when it rains cant find out where its leaking but keeps shorting out the resistor cards and now has ruined the heater fan motor of course no recalls what a shock know 2 other owners with same problem its getting expensive and im getting pissed off i thought ford was bad butgm is even worse can anyone help me? please e mail me thanks
I have a 99 Buick Regal. Seems to be the same problem like all of the above. Leakage of radiator coolant. Now I have a intake manifold leak. Much work needs to be done. About $2000. I am a single parent with not enough funds for my damage. I am searching for a mechanic, that is reasonable. I am joining the class action suit. Wished I would have known sooner.
My mother has had her 97 Lumina to 4 garages and no one can tell her why the car has times that it won’t start. The problem is usually after she has been driving it a short distance in hot weather, if she waits 3 min. and trys it again it works. This 4th garage is telling her it might have something to do with the security. There is not a Chevy dealership in her immediate area but you would think someone could find the problem. Has anyone heard of a problem like this?
my 2003 Montana now has 56000 mi, just spent $1300 on head gaskets and $300 on wheel bearings. Thought that was it utill it started leaking coolant and oil again this year (2006). Seems the engine block heater rotted out and of course, you can’t get at it with out tearing half the van apart. As for the oil leak, the rear main was installed wrong and is leaking. So another $1000 USD and the van isn’t even 4 yrs old. Call ed the dealer and they said sorry, out of warranty. Looks like Hondas from here on out and it makes me mad as I had GM in the blood ( Dad 35 yrs at GM)
We replaced the intake gasket on a 97 Bonneville with 100k on it. Cost us $1000. GM won’t do squat.
Now on our 2000 Montana with 80k, the power sliding door won’t work less than 4 months after we bought it from a dealership. The sheathing on the cable frayed & jammed up the motor. The whole thing has to be replaced, not just the cable, & the dealership wants $1000. I can’t even bypass the motor to use it manually. Nice.
I have a 2001 Montana which cost me quite a bit as well. At ~ 59,000km A/C lines started leaking, repair cost $700. At ~67,000 transmission broke, repair cost $2,700. Called GM, did not want anything to do with it. Now at 72,000 Check Engine light is on, need EGR valve which will be another few hunderd dollars. The vehicle is used occasionally & no towing was ever done. I have driven GM vehicles for the last 20 years but this is most likely the last one. Now I see why they’re loosing market share.
I am the unhappy owner of a 2000 Montana; it was bought because it was comfortable on my X’s behind. I wish that my x had taken this big piece of debris with him! The smallest problem is that the wipers are in a permanent upright position when not in use. It is either that they are in a permanent solute position or that they are excited! I don’t want to spend the $250 quoted to replace a plastic clip. If I could find a current schematic on the wiring I could install a switch that I could manually click them off when the wipers are down (they are still usable). Any ideas? The manual from Haynes for GM repairs covers too many years and the colours are all wrong. OH, and I will go back to Toyota next time! to heck with GM!
Very unhappy owner of a 2003 Montana with 57K miles on it. I just put $2500 USD in it for head gaskets, oil leaks, corroded engine block heater and front wheel bearings. All out of warranty and out of my pocket. I have driven GM all my life and if I ever do again, it will be a lease. After 3 yrs, they can have their junk back. Only Hondas and Toyotas form here on out!
Here we are again it is August now. My awsum 2001 chevy crappy venture has now got abs problems and the a/c has sprung a leak and leaked nice green dye all over my drive way I feel like driving this thing off a cliff. And every day (now that my motor has had antifreeze in it) I start my van up it sounds like crap almost like grinding bearings in the motor. Oh ya almost forgot the power locks don’t work very much any more but every once in a while they do. I don’t know what else could go wrong. Hey maybe my wheel bearings will be next. Almost excited about it. It’s like waiting for Christmas ( oh boy what am I getting)..................................................
Hey Pat, my wheel bearings are shot! Because of the abs sensor on them the cost is $300.00 can. just for the part.
GM wants over $670.00 to do the job! If you find a good cliff let me and the others know, there will be lots of Ventures at the bottom.
If its the sliding door locks that don’t work, take some emery to the brass contacts. I have to do this every few months.
I’ve spent a fortune on a 1999 Chev. Venture I bought in 2002 second hand. Right away I noticed the coolant level going down and sure enough, $1500 for new intake gaskets and plugs, wires and thermostat while they were in there. Since then there has been a number of costly problems like speedometer failure, front bearings, fuel pump. The best however was a complete engine seize in 2006. $4000 for a low km. used engine and installation. Not much point of putting it in without doing those gaskets again. I admit I had the misfortune of buying a lemon but this is ridiculous. GM and its poor engineering and management should be held accountable. My experiences are not isolated incidents. There is hundreds of thousands of other people out there with similar stories. PAY UP GM!
I have been lookin for a auto blog where I could share information on the quality or lack of on GM cars. I’m sooo glad I have found this blog site.
One of my brother-in-laws is a Chevy and there is no changing him at this time. He originally came from Rochester, N.Y. and he is set in his way.
He has owned a Celebrity, a Lumina, an Impala and now a Malibu. These cars with the 3.1 and 3.4 engines have intake leak where the water is mixing with oil. Why can’t GM make better cars??? Haven’t they realized that it is not a cut-throat business? Competition from Europe and Asia is relentlless.
To top it all, the dealership here would to charge this poor 76 year-old guy another $750 to replace the intake gasket. I also discovered that this problem continues if you use Dex-Cool. It is really
sad situation for GM.
There are ten of us in my family, 8 of us now drive
imported brand. We use to drive GM, Ford or Dodge. That’s 80% lost for domestic brands just in our family. Good or bad news, any news spreads like a wild fire.
If it was up to me, I would fire people at GM from top down. Like Mazda did years ago. It’s the people at the top who fails the company in its customers.