Dt*: the contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the add coolant light illuminated. The contact added coolant to the resevoir. A week later more coolant was added. After the vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the intake manifold gasket was leaking. Repairs were declined and the leaking became worse as another leak was noticed from the front right side. The manufacturer was notified.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 146, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Manifold gasket failure that allow coolant to leak. Water can mix with oil or can generate overheat of the engine.
1998 chevy malibu: faulty intake manifold gasket resulting in coolant leak, gasket has been replaced twice within 100,000 miles (may be related to mandated usage of dexcool antifreeze in vehicle per manufacturer).
The oil light came on one minute the next minute the car cut off. I had the car towed to curtis chevrolet in washington, dc and was told that the engine seized due to the oil regulator and filter exploded. The car has only 57500 original miles, serviced mainly by curtis chevrolet...oil recently changed by curtis yet I was told that to replace the engine would be $6,000. The car is currently considered totaled.
1. I checked the coolant level in the reservoir and noticed coolant was needed. I put water into the reservoir (car was on) and everything seemed to be fine. I drove the car about 10 miles. I stopped to put gas in and noticed water/coolant coming from under the car. I replaced the water and drove to a mechanic. The mechanic told me that my intake gasket needed to be replaced; he showed me the leakage coming from the side of the engine. He also stated, this is a common problem with this type of car. Similar comments had been made to me in the past in regards to the intake gasket; mechanics, auto part sales men and the dealer where I get my car serviced had all been concerned in the past for this area of my car, but until now everything had been fine; 2. Failure of the intake gasket prevented the engine coolant from maintaining the proper coolant level, the consequence was that I needed to take time out of my day to inquire about this matter and seek advice in preventing further damage; 3. I have an appointment to fix the problem on tuesday (9/6/05). I will not have my car for a full day due to this problem and the estimate to fix the car was 550.00 to 600.00 dollars.
I purchased my 1998 malibu, it's had nothing but problems. Since I bought this car in november of 2001 with in less than a week of purchasing I had to take the car back to dealer and have them fix a problem because check engine light was on, I am unsure of the exact problem but I do know the car did not pass emissions and if I had to pay for it, it would have cost me over 500 dollars, I have replaced my front brakes on 3 occasions, I have fixed the leaking transmission 2x, I have replaced the tail light bulbs about 4x, I replaced the alternator and the lining is coming off the trunk. These are all problems I had in less then 2 years of owning the vehicle. Since march 2004 I have been unable to drive my vehicle. I have replaced the fuel pump, water pump, 2 of the injectors and there have been other small repairs here and there. Every time I fix something within less then a week of driving it there is something else wrong I am unable to repair it until I can save enough money to put more into it. I am currently replacing the injectors which I have already paid 600 dollars and have 4 more to go. I am worried that after I put this money into it I will still have more problems, I have been told that there is some electrical problem in the dash but they are unsure exactly what it is because the car will not run long enough to figure out. Nobody can tell me everything that is wrong with because I need to fix one problem before they can be sure of the next. This car was the worst purchase I have made. I was unable to register my vehicle last year due to all the problems. I have been on several web sites and about this car and everyone is having similar problems and putting out thousands of dollars in repairs.
The engine leaked coolant and oil from the block, which is not supposed to happen. My car then overheated on the road which LED to my coolant bursting out of the overfill tank. The engine then started to steam, and all the coolant laid there on the road. I was told by 3 different shops that it was the head gasket that needed to be replaced, which cost me $1000 in parts and labor.
In march of '05 took car in for sevice engine was ticking while idle at one point once car was warmed up the ticking stoped but now the ticking is still heard while driving and at acceleartion. Took car in the bob mcguire chevrolet in bordentown, nj was told that I had a head gasket leak that had already mixed with the engine oil. Had everything fixed and they even put in heavy duty lifter cleaner to clean the lifters according to mecanic that was were the tick was coming from but when I picked up the car the engine was still ticking when idle and the noise had gotten worse. When I asked what it would take to fix the ticking I was told that the whole job that was just performed on the car had to be performed again in order to fix the lifters that is causing the ticking.
Fuel pump, discontinued, but not recalled.
Number of problems since the car was purchased new in 1998. The front brakes have been an ongoing problem, the cooling system has a leak at the intake manifold and numerous other major problems that everyone I talk to or read about is having the same problems with this car. Chevy will not do anything about it.
1. Vehicle losing coolant. 2. Problem is due to failure of the intake manifold gasket. 3. Intake gasket needs to be replaced.
Engine locked up while driving at highway speed(70mph) due to failed intake gasket on 1998 malibu 3.1 . One flicker of oil light (oil had just been changed that morning by myself (experienced auto technician) .engine had 52,000 miles, was 600 miles from home(appr), cost $750 to tow home, upon disasembly found failed intake gasket, purchased used engine,$600, $800 to have installed. Gm contacted in every forum avail. Refused to help in any way. Installed new gasket on used engine before installing, gm parts, now 37,000 miles later have intake gasket leak again.
Coolant leak .. Again in my 1998 chevrolet malibu! I had my intake gasket replaced approximately two years ago due to car over heating and a coolant leak. My extended warranty covered it at that time but not without a struggle. I have since been told in the past month that this same repair needs to be done again and that I'm looking at anywhere from $600.00 - $1000.00 for the repair and this will come out of my pocket. From the consumer complaints that I've read on the internet and the service bulletin out on the specific problem, gm obviously knows that this is in issue. Why aren't they forced to put out a recall? This could be a dangerous problem.
While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced.
Radiator fluid leeks because of bad manifold gasket.
While driving check engine light illuminated. Technician serviced vehicle and noticed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. *ak
I have had several problems with this car: I have replaced tires twice, tried to have the front end aligned because of the steering problem , it is like I have no power steering - when I took it to get the front end aligned, they told me that they couldn't do it because of the rack & pinion needed replaced first. I have called gm and was told that it was not their problem. The dealership told me that there is a recall on this and for me to contact you. I have already had to put a motor and brakes(several times) on this car. Please help me. Sincerely, [xxx]. *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
While the vehicle was parked, fluid leaked from underneath the vehicle. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and the mechanic determined that the intake manifold needed to be replaced due to a manufacturing defect. *ak the vehicle leaked antifreeze. It was to the point where the consumer was placing antifreeze in the vehicle everyday then it eventually didn't hold anymore. The mechanic informed the consumer that the problem was a manufacturer defect in the engine with the manifold. The problem was fixed temporarily and that in another 50k miles the same problem would incur. *sc
On 3 occasions in almost 70000 miles I have had to get the intake manifold gasket replaced on my car. The first time was covered by warranty.the other two were not. All 3 resulted in leaking anti-freeze. The first time was internal. All three times were repaired at dealerships.
1998 cevrolet malibu with 3.1 v6 engine.car had sporadic stalling.finally traced to a leaking intake manifold gasket which was allowing coolant into the engine.the coolant leaking also caused the o2 sensor to be coated and need replacing.vehicle has approx mileage in the 74k range.
I do not have any accidents or incidents to report, but I am concerned that one could occur, if not to me, to somebody else who may have the same problem. No problem stated or component listed in the summary. *ak I have a 1998 chevy malibu, with a 3.1l v6 engine. I have been recently diagnosed with a leaking lower intake manifold gasket. My mechanic says this is a very common problem with this engine, in the 50k to 80k mile range. I have 89,500 miles on my malibu. Repair cost is $600-800. I did some checking around, and 2 other mechanics I spoke to also said this is a very common problem. I also looked online, and found that there are literally thousands of others out there with the exact same symptoms and problems. Gm continues to deny there is a problem, however I also became aware that gm canada is providing 50/50 deals for the correction of this very problem. Can't gm here in the u.s. Admit there was a design flaw in the plastic gaskets they used, and offer a recall? This exact same problem is too common for it to be normal wear and tear...especially when gm canada is offering to fix it. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
My car was leaking a clear fluid I took to a mechanic who said I needed to replace the intake manifold gasket and that he gets several gm cars a week with the same problem recommending I filed a complaint so that there might be a recall. There is definitely a gasket problem on gm vehicles.
While driving 75 MPH consumer heard a noise coming from under hood. Soon after vehicle lost power steering. *ak
Anti-freeze (dex-cool) leaked out, causing me to have to relpace my intake manifold gasket.
The intake manifold / intake gaskets are leaking water into my oil. Because of this I am in great danger of my engine blowing. The car has 65,000 miles on it, this should not happen at all.
At 47,000 miles vehicle was taken to dealer for an anti-freeze leak. The dealer replaced engine gasket, but problem recurred. *ak the consumer had taken the vehicle in for a power steering problem and they found the intake manifold gasket leaking coolant.
Consumer noticed vehicle was leaking coolant. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and mechanic determined that intake manifold needed to be replaced.
Car is leaking coolant. After having it checked, it has been determined it is the intake manifold gasket leaking. After some research, I have discovered this is a common problem not only on malibus but on many gm/gmc cars.
Air compresser and wire harness had to be replaced fan did not work on setting 1 and 2 needed to be replaced again the first time was in 2000. Airconditioning problem caused the fuses that control gas tank, temp gage and lights on dash board to go out all fusses replaced
My 1998 chevy malibu's 3.1l engine required an intake manifold gasket at around 30000 miles. My car has been using more fluid lately and I am thinking that the gasket will once again require replacing. Secondly, my car rusted around the doors and the hood seams. I took the car to the dealer where they fixed the problem under warranty. It has been four months since the repairs and the seams look worse than ever.
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