Intake manifold gasket on 3.1l v6, and head gasket failed. Severe engine damage resulted from coolant entering engine, freezing two exhaust valves and rendering the car inoperable in heavy traffic. Complete damage esimate unknown at this time. Can update later. Contact with gm customer service indicates they are not aware of the problem. Not true! A serious problem and they know it well! They apparently refuse to take any action to make right this major engine design error. This car failed in a very dangerous place.
1998 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 146, newest first, as owners wrote them.
When my car was bought from gold key auto it had 88,000 miles. The day after purchase the car would not crank, had to purchase a battery that would hold enough power to start car. The brake problem has been continous since car has been purchased they wear out and squeal once a yr. Or less, 1 yr. After puchase of car it has had a total caliber change right and left, this was a 235.00 charge from wheels unlimited in waycross cause of repair brakes locked up on car. Alternator has been changed 3 times 1st yr., one failing after another. This past dec., 1 right side caliber change and another brake change.car started making a rattle noise were timing chain is so we proceeded with changing the timing chain, replaced in dec. 2002.at the same time water pump was replaced. The rattled was still there, now my car is parked waiting to find out whats wrong now. Possible fly-wheel or timing gear.
Intake gasket leaking, needs repair.
Coolant leaking from 3.1 liter intake manifold gasket. Gasket had to be replaced.
Lower intake manifold gasget leaking at 43,661 miles. Repair costs encountered totaled $589.90.
Intake manifold gasket failure. This caused anti-freeze in oil and it made the car to die out. Once the oil was changed the used oil was thick and had metal shavings in it. Also the engine started knocking.
1998 chevrolet malibu with 61,000 miles needed lower intake manifold gasket repaired, water pump replaced and engine oil flush became a $1146.22 problem and my extended warranty through warranty gold covered nothing because they are under liquidation/chapter 11. What an experience.
Consumer noticed spots of coolant on the driveway. Vehicle was towed to a certified mechanic, who informed the consumer that the manifold gasket was leaking.
I had to have the rack & pinion system replaced on my 1998 malibu along with the power steering pump pulley due to being worn thru and unsafe to drive by the service techinicians recommendation. This was done at 68719 miles. I also had the intake valves replaced 2 months ago for the second time due to leakage of lots of oil into the engine, also per the service technicians recommendation. This was only 14 months after it was done the last time. I have my service done at a chevrolet dealership and I think that 68719 miles is low mileage to have to replace the rack & pinion system. I also think that I was given faulty intake valves on the original engine and also on the first replacement. I am also taking my car back for the 3rd visit to try and fix the chirping sound that is coming from the engine. I also replaced the serpentine belt and bearings 2 months ago when the intake valves were done.
Water is leaking into engine from the head gasket. Water pump started seeping after head gasket was replaced. The front brakes was replaced several times with finally the ones mentioned on the bulletin. First the left side wheel bearing/ speed sensor assembly changed then a couple of thousand of miles later the right side. Air condition was going on and off intermittently.
Coolant was leaking due to cracked plastic intake manifold.
While driving, the vehicle lost its rack and pinion steering and all power of the steering wheel. Dealer notified. *ak the power window control panel on the driver side arm rest popped out, the vehicle pulled severely to the right (dealer couldn't find the problem). The dealer finally replaced the lower control arms, brake rotors, 2 sets of tires/almost completely bald at the time only 13k miles. The rims had to be forced off, the front rotors had become rusted at 20k miles, the ignition wire harness had come apart, the power steering hoses had come loose, lost fluid and power steering while in motion, the trunk leaked, the ABS light had come on twice a week, the front end squeaked and rattled, the antenna wire was loose, the right head lamp had permanent moisture with no crack, the A/C would shut on/off intermittently, the alternator failed at 60k miles and the waning light had come on for only five minutes, the engine leaked oil, and the right windshield wiper pivot housing had broken. *scc
98 malibu ls developed coolant leak at 19,000 miles. Took back to dealer where it was purchased new in 98. Found intake manifold gasket is leaking as well as water pump bad. $880.00 to repair. Dealer will not do anything to help cover cost even though they know it is a problem. Dealer said there is a class action law siut against gm over this issue!?!?
Air conditioning and fan failures.
I was told I had a coolant leak which caused my cam to break in my engine. I had to replace my engine with a used one. I contacted gm for some help and they gave me none. They would not recognize the problem with the manufactured defect on the coolant system. I am out of pocket nearly two thousand dollars on a car that should be still going strong with the original engine and still, uncomfortable with this used engine as I may have the same problem again down the road. I am very upset and disappointed with gm because I put a lot of trust in them and their vehicles and they let me down. Not only that, but I have had consistent brake problems. Something needs to be done about this. There are too many people having the same problems with this type of vehicle and it would be a sad thing to wait until there are fatalities to rectify the situation.
Engine gaskets failed allowing coolant to mix with the oil in the engine. No check engine light. 1998, chevrolet, malibu, 66,000 miles. Informed by mechanic 3rd malibu he has seen in a month for same problem, cost $1500.00 for repairs, why no recall or replacement. Researched this sight and found numerous complaints of same problem. I am very upset that an american car company cares this little for its consumers. Chevrolet knows this is a problem and refuses to discuss it openly. Considering legal action.
The head gasket failed, without warning. *jb bad axles in front did not feel safe. *tt
Intake gasket leaking, needs replacement.
While driving engine died without warning. Dealer diagnosed that head gasket had blown.
Complaint letter from il state attorney general ofc wanting to know whether there should be a recall concerning defective intake manifold gasket on 1998, chevrolet, malibu.
3.1 l intake manifold gasket was replaced once under warranty on my 1998 chevy malibu. I was told by the repair center at the dealership that it may need to be replaced again.
The vehicle vibrated all the time. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who repaired the motor mounts and the transmission mounts. The wheel bearings needed to be replaced, but the parts were on back order.
I own a 1998 chevy malibu. This vehicle will cut off while driving. I bought this vehicle brand new in june 1998 and had to take it to the shop for repair the next month. The service department at shaver motors has never been able to fix it. There is something wrong with this car's electrical system. I was driving in chicago on 80 90 toll road and this vehicle stopped for no reason while I was doing 55 miles per hour. I listed one incident date but have had numerous other problems. Also, when I first purchased the vehicle I had to replace the tires after less than 3000 miles, they were also bad.
The odometer read incorrectly. The water pump and belt failed. The wiper regulator failed. The tensioner pulley failed. The vehicles rotors warped and the master cylinder failed. *nlm
Intake manifold gasket leaking coolant into oil. 46000 miles
Intake gasket failed in my 1998 chevy malibu, causing coolant to leak. I know this a huge problem with the plastic intake gaskets, should have a recall on this. Obviously a known problem on this car. Chevrolet should recall it.
I have replaced a battery twice. I bought my 1998 malibu used. The first time we were able to keep jumping it, to get it were I needed to go. Found out the positive charge was broken from battery. Six month's later on january 19. My ABS light comes on and I lose all power on snow and ice. Luckily I was able to keep control of my car and get it stopped. If there would be a been another car coming towards me I would have hit them head on. I had it towed the following day, and they said my battery was leaking acid and my timing belt was breaking. I have only had my car a year and I bought it from a dealership. What's causing the battery to leak acid? I am scared to death it will happen again and next time I won't be so lucky.
The steering rack & pinion and the engine intake gaskets in this 1998 model are faulty. The shoddy rack & pinion needs to be replaced and I have gone through numerous tires over the years. The intake gaskets are leaking fluids and an engine blow out is imminent. With the leakages, the car is unsafe to drive. I have maintained all required maintenance according to the manual and the car is still under 50,000 miles but I am looking at a huge mechanic's bill due to a shoddy rack & pinion and intake gasket leaks.
Intake gasket failed in my 1998 chevy malibu, know this a huge problem with the plastic intake gaskets, 500 dollars to replace, should have a recall on this.
Vehicle leaking coolant fluids from lower intake manifold. Gm is well aware of this problem as I was told by a service advisor at my local dealership.
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