Engine Cooling System problems of the 2002 Chevrolet Malibu

Low coolant light kept coming on. Had this checked during an oil change and oil was found in the coolant. Intake manifold gasket was replaced for the 2nd time. The intake manifold gasket was previously replaced 2 1/2 years ago. Starting in the spring/summer of 2008 started having problems with the turn signals only working part of the time. This was checked at a dealership and I was told that since the signals seemed to work fine for them and the problem couldn't be reproduced they weren't able to determine what was wrong to be able to fix it. The problem continues.

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that there is engine coolant leaking into the engine. The failure could possibly start a fire. The dealer stated that they were willing to pay 25% of the cost for a new engine. The mechanic at the dealer stated that this was a common failure with her year, make, and model vehicle. General motors advised the contact to drive her vehicle to the dealer instead of having it towed, even though it could catch fire. The powertrain was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 74,000.

Antifreeze is going bad at low mileage (75,000 miles below life expectancy), becoming caustic, and causing intake manifold gaskets to dissolve causing a leak, also causing head gaskets to leak leading to major engine failure. This leads to an expensive repair at best and engine replacement at worst. The anti freeze is obviously a bad formulation and/or interacts with components to became caustic. This is a defect and repair should be covered by the manufacturer. It is all over the internet how prevalent this problem is. No notice to owners was ever sent to replace the antifreeze before it became caustic.

My car has an anti-freeze leak and I have to fill it once a week. I went to chevy and had a test down on it. The test showed that my low intake gaskets are bad. Chevy quoted me $900. 00 for fix.

(1) 2002 chevy Malibu. 3100 v6 engine. Gasket failure/factory default. (2) only 22,200 miles, and intake gasket has failed. (3) what needs to be done, is a gm factory recall to fix this issue.

2002 chevy Malibu (85,000 miles) = approximately a year ago engine overheated and "need coolant" light came on. Owner refilled coolant. Several months later "coolant" light again came on and owner refilled coolant. No visible leak of coolant was noticed under vehicle. At next oil change owner asked technician to check coolant and technician noted that everything seemed fine, no discernible leak. July 2006 engine coolant light came on, owner refilled, this occurred again in late August and again in October. December 22, 2006, owner had oil change and asked technician about the problem. The technician suggested that Chevrolets regularly get air bubbles in the coolant system and often have problems with coolant because of it. He checked the coolant pressure, he said it was normal and suggested to do a flush and fill, the owner agreed. On Dec. 26, 2006, the coolant light came on again and the owner added additional coolant. On Dec. 29, 2006, owner took vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer service center. The technician determined the vehicle to have a damaged intake manifold gasket. The Chevrolet service center performed the service and replaced the intake manifold gasket on Dec. 30, 2006.

Car started leaking anti-freeze from intake manifold gasket on engine at 45000 miles. Was told that there was a technical service bulletin on this problem but that since there was no recall I would have to pay $900. 00 for this repair out of pocket. This could lead to a fire and overheating engine failure.

1. Vehicle is low mileage garage kept and well maintained. An odor was noticeable for a couple of days. Drove car a few miles and parked, when came out a half an hour later. 2. Started car, tried to turn on to driveway to leave and had no power steering. Smelled bad. 3. The keefers auto service related the ac compressor clutch had frozen up. They replaced this part and recharged the ac system etc. I believe the loss of power steering in the vehicle, especially with only 11000 miles, is very serious and could cause an accident. This repair was just completed today 4/3/6 so if you interested in the old parts or anything to do with the service please contact tom keefer at keefer's auto sales and service (717) 334 2923. He is very nice and reputable.

The intake manifold gasket in the consumer's 2002 Chevrolet Malibu was defective. The consumer contacted the manufacturer to see about getting the vehicle repaired free of charge. The consumer was told that the intake manifold gasket would not be replaced because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The consumer believes the repair should be covered since the manufacturer was aware of a problem with the intake manifold because a bulletin was issued oct 24, 2003.

Two weeks ago my water level light came on. I added dexcool coolant per manufacturers recommendation. The light continued to come on and go off for approx 1 week. I added dexcool coolant each time. After approx. 1 week of doing this, the light stopped coming on. Yesterday, when I returned to my vehicle after work, there was coolant in the lot under my vehicle. I filled the reservoir up again and drove the vehicle home. Today, I took the car to a repair garage who informed me that I needed to replace my lower intake gasket and thermostat gasket and valve cover gasket at a cost of $890. 00. The mechanic informed me that gm has had several complaints in reference to this type of problem. They fixed four of this type of problem in the last two years. Apparently the problem is possibly due to the use of the gm-recommended dexcool which gm has since discontinued use of.

In January 2004, the ?low coolant? light went on. It required more coolant to be added. There was no external leaking of the engine coolant. The light went on again about two weeks later. I took it to a private mechanic and the cap was replaced. The leak stopped. In Feb. 2005, the ?low coolant? light went on again and again I added coolant. Two weeks later, the ?low coolant? light went on. This time I took my vehicle to a Chevrolet dealer. I was informed by the service dept. Of this dealer that my car required a new intake manifold gasket. Also, engine coolant might have leaked into my engine, so the oil and transmission fluid required flushing and filters needed to be replaced. The service department informed me that it needed to be done immediately otherwise serious damage could be done to my engine. I had the service done as I thought continuing to operate the vehicle might have posed a serious safety hazard. So the vehicle was repaired and my cost was $1,700. 00. I phoned Chevrolet customer service and was told this repair is considered ?normal maintenance? and I needed to cover the entire price of the repair. Although there was no damage to the engine of the vehicle, neglecting to have the necessary service completed may have resulted in permanent damage like the engine ceasing to work. I think the engine ceasing while in operation might cause a slight safety hazard to myself, passengers in the cabin as well as other vehicles in the vicinity of mine.

Over heating problems and coolant leaks due to a faulty intake gasket. Dealership wants $660. 00 to repair. This is a known problem and gm needs to do recall. Vehicle info 2002 Chevrolet Malibu v6 engine. This problem left me stranded on the side of a busy hwy.