Manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe problems of the 1998 Chevrolet Venture - part 1

Manifold intake gasket had to be replaced twice now on my 1998 Chevrolet Venture (2003 and 2005). Also the rack and pinion needs to be replaced for turning left.

Engine stalling and under performing due to manifold gasket leaking coolant into engine. My wife was entering a main road from our sub-division driving our Chevrolet Venture '98 when the engine started running roughly and sputtering. This could have been fatal with the oncoming traffic. This problem was due to a leak of coolant I believe into the engine. It seems gm is aware of the problem but has not notified owners of the vans. At the least they should be making consumers aware of the problem and the fact that engine failure could occur during critical times.

December 2002 - manifold gasket failed, allowing dexcool coolant to mix with the oil system. Gasket replaced. November 2004. Replacement gasket failed. Coolant in oil system again. Modified gasket kit installed. Jan 2, 2005. Cam shaft breaks. Bearings/bushing seized due to oil system contamination. On Jan 2, 2005, the van stalled in intersection. Car restarted. Car then stalled on the expressway on the way home and would not restart. The stall occurred on a bend coming out of a tunnel. Approaching cars had little warning that our van was on the side of the highway. Police helped push the van off the side of the road onto the grass. The van cannot be cost effectively repaired. It needs a new engine.

I have a 1998 Chevrolet Venture with 82,651 miles. The vehicle would slowly dissipate coolant, which I replenished as needed. Then a major coolant leak occurred at the engine block. Barnard Chevrolet of churchville, NY 14428 repaired the lower and upper intake manifold gaskets, and the rear head gasket. Each had detiorated from the dex cool, causing the leakage. The dealership refused any customer assistance, despite my providing them with technical service bulletin #03-06-01-010. Although the dealer provided a complete and professional repair, I believe that evidence is quite clear that the dex cool coolant and the gasket materials used by gm results in a defective product, and that gm must pay for these repairs. I also believe that that NHTSA has a responsibility to the american consumer to hold gm accountable. The bush administration seems to have completely suppressed this issue in terms of government followup. What a shame, the lobbyists win again. Middle class americans left with the bill.

Extreme leak in the intake manifold gasket, leading to possible engine damage due to coolant destroying aluminum components of internal engine parts. The following was done to prevent immediate engine failure: replace intake manifold gasket and thoroughly clean inside engine ($771), replace oil pressure switch ($86), full coolant flush ($105), oil/filter change ($15), and replace coolant sensor ($85). Consistant with historical failure of all similar makes/models. Customer pays for gm's poor product.

Heater not working due to a faulty manifold gasket that allowed the coolant to leak out of the engine of our 1998 Chevrolet Venture. I was told by the service tech that gm is now producing a better gasket to fix the problem. That's great!! I would like gm to pay the $798. 67 bill for having to replace the first gasket that was not properly tested by engineering. This problem is very common, and should be a recall item.

Cam shaft broke while warming up in my yard. 1998 Chevrolet Venture van. I found a TSB that stated that this particular van had an intake manifold gasket problem. I have since found that the dealer never replaced the gasket before I purchased it. It has 56000 miles on it when I bought it and now has 88000 16 monthes later. Talked to a mechanic and was told that camshafts don;t just break unless they are faulty. I am currently negotiating with dealership and they have loaned me a vehicle to use until we come to some kind of agreement.

I had the coolant flushed one month ago at the local dealer. Driving on the freeway near home, the low coolant light came on. No indication on temperature gauge that coolant temp ever exceeded even halfway through the normal range. The next morning, the van runs rough and has a light coolant smell from the exhaust. Took it to dealer for diagnosis. Dealer said that the intake manifold gaskets failed allowing the van to overheat and blow the head gaskets. Repair estimate is $2500 and with only 88k miles on the van. This is the second time that the intake manifold gaskets have failed. First time the intake gaskets failed was at 45k miles right after I bought it. There was no overheat or head gasket failure on the first incidence.

I recently purchased a used Chevrolet Venture minivan. After approximately 6,000 miles driving, the intake manifold gasket failed and I now have coolant in the vehicle oil. This is an expensive repair and after considerable internet investigation, I found literally hundred of other owners with the same complaint. It appear that gm has known about this problem for some time and refuses to correct the problem. So far, I have not had the vehicle repaired because of cost, but I think that gm should be responsible to Venture owners to repair this defect cost free to the owner.

While driving at 30 mph consumer noticed that the vehicle overheated. Vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic to be examined, and mechanic determined that the head gasket malfunctioned.

1998 chevy Venture van 65k miles my manifold intake gasket no good it is leaking and causing damage to the engine.

1998 Chevrolet Venture with a leaking intake manifold. A very costly repair for a single mom of three.

Intake manifold gasket problems on 1998 Chevrolet Venture 3. 4l. Dealer informed me at approx. 58000 miles gasket was failing. Replaced 06/02. Same dealer informed same gasket problems at 94000 miles. Have heard of similar problems on other gm products, very common. Would like to see gm held responsible for poor design of gasket, will never buy gm product again.

Problem with the intake manifold casket. The part fails and the allow coolant to leak into the oil pan. This casuse a loss of coolant and wild tempature funcuations. This is a wide spread problem with this part and should be recalled a a defective part. In fact the part has been replaced in more recent gm models. If some one would do a little research you would find that problem is more wide spread than gm is willing to admit to.

I recently purchased a used 1998 Chevrolet Venture. Upon checking the fluid levels yesterday, I noted that the coolant level was low, and the coolant appeared to be contaminated (probably by oil). This, coupled with abnormal temperature fluctuations and an odd tinge on my oil dipstick caused me enough concern to do a little research. I've found thousands of testimonials from gm owners, especially of the 3. 1 and 3. 4 liter v-6, who have suffered from a leaking intake manifold gasket. The damage ranges from a six hundred dollar repair bill to ejected rods/cracked heads/complete engine failure. This is obviously a widespread defect, and engine failure in any type of traffic is obviously a safety concern, especially in a family vehicle such as a minivan. I am currently looking for information regarding accidents caused by this defect. My complaint is the commonality lack of support for this problem, given the fact that gm is clearly aware that it exists (both by technical bulletin and the fact that all four of the local gm service departments I called recently referred to the problem immediately). It is unbelievable that a recall has not occurred on this poorly engineered, inherently dangerous "dex-cool" coolant system, when it corrodes engine operating parts and support structures, often undetectable in the lower engine area until catastrophic material failure.

I purchased a 1998 Chevrolet Venture new for approximately $27,000. After 4 1/2 years I had to replace the lower intake manifold gasket at a cost of about $500. I maintained the vehicle to the manufacturers specifications even changing the oil every 3 to 4000. On labor day 2003, a little more than 5 years after I purchased the vehicle, I broke down returning from a family vacation with the car packed and my three kids. The car had to be towed to the nearest Chevrolet dealer. 75 miles from home. Bottom line the cam bearings spun in the engine and the dealer said the car was worth $300 as is. It needed a new engine at a total cost of $6150. Gm customer service agreed that this was premature engine failure but that the engine had 72,000 miles and according to gm the life expectancy of that engine is only 100,000 miles. They said I got almost 75% of the engines expected life and they offered me 25% of the cost incurred by me to install a new engine. Gm needs to recognize that the faulty gasket on the lower intake manifold caused this problem by allowing antifreeze to enter the engine. Gm should have reimbursed me the cost for the gasket replacement and the engine. Normal wear and tear I expect, but to have a vehicle worth about $7,000 one day and $300 the next is not fair. I will never buy another gm product as long as I live and I will let as many people I know how gm stands by their product.

1998 Chevrolet Venture van 3400 dex coolant engine, intake manifold gaskit & head gasket left us stranded on the side of the freeway with 3 children in busy July 4th traffic, had to be towed home and call for someone to pick my self and children up while my husband waited for a tow truck. From the research we have done this is a common problem with this engine that chevy will not publicaly admit too even though they have redesigned the intake manifold system for the new vehicles .

We had a manifold gasket on our 1998 chevy Venture go bad earlier this year. It leaked anti-freeze into the oil. It appears that the anti-freeze leaking into the engine oil has caused failures in the strength of the crankshaft. And since this site does not combine similar problems, it may appear that there are just a few problems with the cooling system, gaskets and crankshaft on the 1998-2000 Venture vans. You need to look at all the cooling system problem reports. Now the crank shaft has broken. We have learned that of others have had the same problem with this van. The local dealership has told us it will cost over $5,000. 00 to repair/replace the engine. I have had many different types of cars in the past, one Nissan maxima we have now has almost 200,000 miles, with no engine repairs like this. I believe gm has had a major defect with the manifold gasket and cooling system on this van and has avoided a recall for this defect. We were just told to "have a nice day" by rose uhl and christy hardcastle of "gm customer service". I think a $5,000. 00 repair bill is something to make complaints about on a van that cost $23,000. 00.

The intake manifold gasket leaked coolant onto the engine, which resulted in engine failure.

Leaking coolant led to engine failure. Gm and dealership try to shift blame to me. They say there is no problem. The vehicle just stopped in the middle of the road. I had to push it to the side of a busy street with a small child inside. The engine oil filled with anti freeze and ceased up without warning. It had been to the dealership to have the low coolant light checked and they just added stop leak and said it would be fine. The lower intake manifold gasket was leaking. This has been well documented for over a year but gm is still in denial. My 1998 chevy Venture was purchased used in September 2001. The vehicle only had 40,000 miles on it. I brought it to the dealership in sept. 2002 for 15 point inspection and oil change at about 45,000 miles. This was last day under warranty. In January 2003 the low coolant light came on. I checked the coolant level at it looked almost dry. There was no prior evidence like stains on my driveway. They said good thing I brought it in right away and flushed and filled it and said there was a small leak in one of the gaskets and added stop leak. In may the engine seized up and I needed to replace the engine with a rebuilt one at a cost of $4000. 00. The vehicle has less than 50000 miles on it. The dealership and gm assistance claim no knowledge of this. In July my neighbor who owns a 2000 chevy silhouette has the same thing happen and needs his engine replaced. A friend of mine says he had his gasket fixed while under warranty. Please help me and the thousands of others who have been hurt because gm refuses to accept responsibility for what is obviously a manufacturing defect. I feel the only option that I have is to go to small claims court where I probably won't have a chance against general motor?s lawyers. I have a couple of web sites that have been sort of like my support group since my engine failed. I don't know if you are aware of any of them.

Car began losing coolant at about 20000 miles. Had to keep topping coolant tank. Presented to local dealer at 35,500 miles to be repaired. Coolant sensor replaced, problem persisted. Wife's car (1999 Venture) began having same symptom, researched and found that this is a widespread problem with intake manifold gaskets (recently redesigned by gm). This problem can allow coolant to mix with oil, and oil with coolant. Can result in sudden catastrophic engine failure (camshaft breaks due to insufficient lubrication). Stranded vehicles will present multiple safety hazards.

1998 Chevrolet Venture. Intake manifold gasket went bad and got coolant in my engine. Had to replace water pump also. Cost 927. 35 to replace. I feel gm should make this item a recall as I have found numerous web sites with people that have the same problem with all sorts of gm vehicles.

The van over heated and left me stranded on the freeway because the plastic intake manifold gasket melted.

Leaking intake manifold gasket leak. Leaking coolant. Repair estimated to be $800 by elco Chevrolet in ballwin, missouri. We discovered through research on the internet and talking to mechanics at a local auto repair franchise that this has been a problem with the chevy Venture vans. We are looking for relief from gm-this is not the first problem we have had with coolant leaks in the van and are now wondering if this problem was undetected and we have been repairing other items needlessly (water pump, etc. ) when this was the true source of the problem. We are very concerned about the future of the engine on this vehicle with this problem.

Intake manifold leaked coolant onto motor at 79000 miles.

The intake manifold gasket developed a leak, allowing dexcool antifreeze to leak into the engine. Mr scc.

Intake manifold gasket had to be replaced at 62000mi, started to leak anti-freeze in engine, based on dealer and other customers , this is a common problem with gm 3. 1l and 3. 4l engines. Accountability is needed by gm. Issue should be made a recall. $900. 00.

Intake manifold gasket failed causing coolant to leak into oil. Dealer performed pressure test and verified leak, changed oil, and found coolant. Had repaired by independent shop. Unknown at this time if internal damage has been done to engine. Engine had 70,000 miles on it. This is absolutely ridiculous to see this many complaints without a forced, or voluntary recall. I want to be reimbursed for the cost of this repair.

1998 cherolet Venture van, v6 engine with 85,000 miles. Well maintained engine. Coolant system leaking from intake manifold. No independent repair shop would do the repair. Took van to dealer. . . Repaired upper and lower manifold gaskets. Total cost $908.

Developed engine coolant (dex-cool) leak at intake manifold. Dealer mechanic stated that the repair will cost $500. 00 to replace the $3. 00 gasket. Also stated that this was a common problem.

Intake manifold gasket leak and engine seal leak on a vehicle that has been serviced exactly as recommended in the owner's manual. Simple internet research (including this webiste) has shown a pattern of failure for these parts on this vehicle. Gm customer service acknowldged problem but would not pay any of the $1,200 repair bill since the vehicle has 80,000 miles on it. This is a huge out-of-pocket expense for a part with a history of problems. I personally know two other 1998 Venture owners who have had the same repair.

Noticed an engine "tick" couple weeks ago. Problem seemed to disappear once engine came up to temperature. Noticed last night that problem "tick" is more noticeable. Investigated tonight after researching intake manifold gasket problems on the web, and discovered coolant in the engine oil. Ts.

Kept loosing coolant - initial pressure test did not detect leak. Asked them to check intake manifold & gaskets. They detected leak. Cost to repair - 673. 00. Do not know yet if any damage was done to engine.

Engine coolant is leaking into engine. Suspect bad intake manifold gasket, after exhaustive research on web.

This failure if the intake manifold is a common and costly repair on these gm minivans. Dt.