Three problems related to carburetor have been reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Cooling fluid was leaking into the engine from a failed lower intake manifold gasket. I only have about 52000 miles and less than 4 years on my car. I believe the gasket should have a much longer life. The service agents at the dealer told me the failure is not uncommon, but said the $699 repair bill would not be reimbursed or covered by gm unless I have an extended warranty. I have talked to other Malibu owners and some have seen the same problem or have noticed signifcant and 'unexplained' (I. E. , no visible leaks from hoses or radiator) coolant loss, even at lower mileage than my car. These 'unexplained' losses have the same sympton as I noticed with my car, which is a build up of a greenish-brown gel-like substance on the inside of the oil fill cap and valve cover, which indicates cooling fluid leaks into the engine.
Please make a note of the failure of the lower intake manifold gasket at 57000 on my 1998 Malibu LS. . . It is a design flaw that gm should be held accountable for. . . Thanks. . . My rotoors were bad from day one and the dealer told me it was just the wheels needing balanced. . . . The faulty anti-lock brakes were a scary situation. . . The car is riddled with design problems that gm should be held accountable for.
This intake valve has been replaced once already on my car in March of 2000, now less than two years later I am having to have it replaced again at a cost of 650. 00, I have been informed by the dealers service dept. That Chevrolet is now making a better intake valve because this has been a problem in the Malibus, if this is the case they should handle some of this cost if not all. Thank you.