Car developed a coolant leak from the intake manifold. I've searched and found this to be a common problem with these vehicles. Some sort of fault in the intake manifold gaskets. Gm informed me that because of the age and mileage on the vehicle they will not offer any assistance. Also the AC cycles off and on randomly, another problem common to these vehicles
1998 Chevrolet Malibu engine complaints
Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 146, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Coolant leak in my 1998 chevrolet malibu - 3.1 liter engine. 55,800 miles. This defect is very common on this engine. Intake manifold gasket. $800 repair. Lost one week's work
On my 1998 mailbu (3100 engine) with only 50,000 miles had to replace the head gasket. No assistance from gm or the dealer.
Our 1998 chevrolet malibu with a 3.1 liter v-6 engine has started losing engine oil and antifreeze. We have come to find out that this is a common problem in general motors vehicles with this engine. The engine has been in use since at least 1996. Others have told me that mechanics are seeing this problem in cars on a daily basis. The fluids are lost though the intake manifold and do not leave a telltale stain or residue under a parked car. A repair at a chevrolet dealer was quoted to us at $900. We were told there was no warranty coverage or recall. Is this problem being researched? Is there a recall in the works?
The consumer has experienced the following: the front end suspension arm needs changing, rack pinion assembly is leaking oil and internal noises, the pump cap has been changed twice (the pressure oil returns to the cap), and the rear crankshaft seal is leaking. Scc
Defective intake manifold gasket / coolant reaction. Engine shut down when driving on busy two lane road leaving me stranded in a traffic lane. I had to walk a half a mile and back in heavy traffic to use a telephone to summon help. Diagnosis by qualified mechanics found coolant water had infiltrated the engine, two valves were bent when the pistons hit them. Severe internal engine damage. This is reported to be a regular problem with the 3.1l gm engine and there has been no recall. Ts
My 1998 chevy malibu developed a intake manifould coolent leak at 33,xxx miles. It cost me & my extended warrantee company over $400.00 to repair. I have found out that gm is aware of this defect but continues to sell vehicles anyway. This is fraud!
The vehicle has experienced the following problem: the front end/lower suspension arms need changing, the rack and pinion assembly is leaking constantly and has been changed twice, and the rear crankshaft seal is leaking oil. *scc
Replaced intake manifold gasket, valve cover gasket, molded coolant tube $572.00. Local repair shop stated gm is having problems with head gaskets being defective. We maintain our cars on a regular basis, in order to avoid having large expenditures for neglect. This is not a neglect issue on the customer's part. But solely on the part of gm. Why hasn't there been a recall? *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*****768314
I was on a major highway when I tried to get over in another lane. I could not because my steering wheel would not turn. So, when I could get over I heard a loud bang under my hood. All my lights lit up and I could not stop my car. I tried to make it home and my car started smoking. I called my mechanic and found out that my belt had popped off along with the pulley that was burned badly. My antifreeze was leaking also, I went alone w/my mechanic to get the part and was informed by autozone that it was a recall on this part. I was not notified at any time buy the company. I called and reported it this morning and was informed that is not true. I have the part to show that this is a danger because the part is a cheap piece of plastic. The corporate office was al so rude and stated my warranty had expired and that it was nothing they could do. Also, I called the dealer and was informed there was no recall and they were not gone to handle this situation. Nlm
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Upon starting the vehicle, it vibrated severely, and engine check light would blink on/off. The vehicle has been to the dealer on seven occasions, and the problem still occurs. The consumer states that the vehicle has a hard start and sometimes has to pump the pedal.
Intake manifold gasket failed, causing coolant to leak. A known problem on this car, chevrolet should recall it. Mine was replaced under warranty luckily. Rotors replaced one week after purchase, again, a common problem with this car.
While driving vehicle, it felt sluggish and fail to maintain speed. Took vehicle to dealership & was informed by mechanic one of the mounts had cracked & the other was broke. The mounts supported the engine. Had vehicle repaired.
Consumer states coolant is leaking around the water pump area, dealer was not notified at this time. Nlm
We have two malibus and both have had problems with leaking coolant from the engine. Service replaced gasket, which took overnight. I have read on malibu websites on the net that this is another common problem.
Since I have owned this car I have had to change the brakes 10 times. I have had to replace the rotors twice. I have had to replace the calipers on both sides in the front and the wheel bearing on the passengers side once I have had repeated problems with the brakes since I purchased this car. In august of 2001 I had to replace the head gaskets as anti-freeze was leaking into my oil. My anti-lock brake light will come on out of the blue while traveling at speeds of 50 MPH I am becoming very concerned about this matter. I have spoke to about 35 malibu owners and they are all having the same problems. One owner had only 10k miles one her car at the time her brakes failed.
After increasing noise noted over a period of several months, I took my vehicle in to be serviced and was told that I had a cracked engine mount. The service person informed me that this was a very rare occurrence on a vehicle that was as new as 1998 without severe impact to the vehicle, which mine has never received and they were surprised that this had happened.
Antifreeze was leaking into the engine causing the check engine light to illuminate. Nlm
Faulty rear brake shoes causing front rotors to warp.
I bought the extended warranty and I feel my car is a lemon. Every single person with a malibu has had problems and we really need help since chevrolet wants to ignore the problems. With all the problems I will have paid for this car twice after all of the repais I have incorred.
Engine cooling fluid is leaking from underneath. Dealership is aware of problem.
Four different mechanics gave estimates on intake gasket replacement. All stated that this was a very common problem with the 3.1 litre gm engines and they were surprised that gm has not issued a recall on these engines. One mechanic suspects it may be the dextron anti-freeze that gmc requires in there vehicles that is eating away at the gaskets and causing the coolant leakage. He had a chevrolet lumina in the garage with the same problem when I got the estimate. Gm would not cover any of the repair cost unless we paid a gm dealer to evaluate the problem which other garages provided free of charge. I have a ford and have received excellant customer service from ford and their dealerships. I will not buy another gm product.
The coolant was leaking into my engine. I was told the engine block was cracked, after being without my car for 4 days, they told me it was just a gasket leaking. They then "as good citizens" repaired my car under warrenty and charged me $73.95 for an oil change and fuel filter because these things had to be done while they were investigating the leak. I had just recently had my oil changed. Within the first few months of having my car I noticed serveral problems that I reported to the dealer and was waved off several times. I even rode with a service manager who explained that the ticking in the engine, the whinning my window made when rolling it up or down, the squeeking in the front and back of car were all normal because my car was settling like a house does. These noises and squeeks are normal!!! Shortly there after, my wheel bearings were replaced, my window failed to roll up while on my way to work when it began pouring rain. The ticking noise was explained three years later, since the coolant was leaking into my engine. I have replaced break pads, and my rotars and am on my way to replacing both again at 36,000 miles. The ticking noise in my car is still present and now the air conditioner goes out intermittently while driving. I replaced the lamps in my break lights twice before another malibu owner told me it was a problem in the circuit board. I am not happy with this vehicle and can't wait until I can afford to get rid of it. I will never buy another chevy unless the choose to rectify this situation. After reading the other compliants I now see I am not the only person to ever report the leaking of the coolant and am frustrated since I was told this was never seen before!!!
Vehicle would overheat and engine check light would stay on while driving at low speed. Vehicle would not overheat while driving at high speed. Dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
The invalid VIN is the correct one on the car. We have checked it several times. The stalling started the first time when the car had less than 12000 miles on it , as did the brakes. I do not have the exact dates of the other stallings. The last time for example, was in april 2001, my sister was going the speed limit, with her granddaughter in the back, and the car stalled in heavy traffic. No way to get out of the road. She narrowly missed getting hit by a transfer truck. Also, the brakes have never worked right. She has had them worked on several times. This is not covered under warranty and is not cheap.
Turned my car off and went into the store. Came back out and the car would not start. After several attempts, the car had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer made a estimate based on my complaint of $78.00. I was contacted the next day with a $700.00 estimate. The computer had to be updated, the ignition has to be re-keyed, and the fuel injector has to be cleaned. And that is just to get it running again!
We have rotors replaced on this car twice in about 30dys dealer couldn't believe it. And the intake bolts were loose and it was losing coolant.
Engine stalls and from time to time it will lose its power while consumer is driving. Contacted dealer, and the dealer is not willing to do any more then they have done already. *ak the vehicle stalled several times, and the consumer wants the dealer to fix it or get him another vehicle.
Took car in for routine 48,000 mile service and estimate is $1500 for coolant leakage into engine, serpentine belt, suspension arm (front) and pcv valve
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