Five problems related to radiator have been reported for the 1999 Chevrolet Venture. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The car has been running low on radiator fluid, but we could not find any visible leakages. We have been replinishing the fluid. We did not think anything major. On a Friday, we started to hear a knock in the engine. We were told to have the oil changed/looked at. Afterwards, the noise continued even louder. We had the car immediately towed. The problem involved the lifters and the intake gasket. (both problems are related. ) I researched and many others had the similar problems with the intake gasket. Repair for all will be $1,000.
Recently had lower engine manifold intake gasgit replaced due to coolant leak resulting from use of dex-cool collant corroding the plastic gasgit. Also associated was thermostat failure which could have caused engine overheating and fire before there was any means of knowing the engine was overheating.
Intake manifold gasket of engine failed leading to dex-cool radiator fluid leakage on ground and into engine oil. Repair of intake manifold gasket, water-pump, special sealant for bolts cost consumer $807. 00. The leakage of toxic fluid into environment has no estimated cost, but represents hazard to animals and environment. Chevrolet has received a high number of complaints about this problem and issued a technical service bulletin related to revised gasket, sealants, torque specifications and order of tightening bolts, but did not issue a recall. Internal damage to engines is often not determined until complete engine failure despite repair of manifold gasket. Dex-cool fluid cited in Chevrolet literature as having 100,000 mile lifespan, but fluid appears to have destructive potential to engine beginning at anywhere from 40 to 60% of this estimated lifespan.
Early failure of the lower intake manifold gasket, which caused lost of coolant. 40,000 miles on 1999 chevy Venture. Believe a poor design of gasket and that the radiator level is below that of the manifold. An air pocket can be trapped in the manifold and when the engine is off the residual heat of the engine cooks the gasket. Believe this theory is supported by the coolant sensor is on even though the level in the radiator is full and the reservoir is full.
I've had a 1999 chevy Venture since new. I've had to replace the intake manifold gasket, upper and lower radiator hoses at 69500 miles. Replaced the thermostat at 78400 miles. At 78500 miles I had to replace both head gaskets,intake gasket and plenum gasket, both valve cover gaskets and several collapsed lifters, and the cylinder heads needed to be reconditioned. These repairs cost me thousands of dollars. Something is surely not right with this engine.