1997 Chevrolet Venture: engine failure

Filed Jan 27, 2006 · Engine · 172,000 miles · IN

Had head gasket replaced last year. Recently the van stalled and was told that anti-freeze had been leaking into the cylinders, and I needed a new engine. Was also told that the new engine not only could but would have this same problem at some point. Was also told that this is a common problem among these vehicles.

Filed Sep 7, 2004 · Engine · 74,338 miles · OH

(1) car started making knocking noise and then quit in the middle of traffic. (2) the intake manifold gasket failed causing engine coolant to leak into the engine oil. This coolant in the oil ruined the engine bearings and main journal. This caused the engine to quit running in the middle of traffic. (3) the vehicle was brought to a chevrolet dealership and a complete new engine had to be installed.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 37,154 miles · MI

Engine required replacement because of a broken camshaft. Camshaft broke due to engine coolant leaks into engine via damaged intake manifold. Repair cost estimated at $5180. This incidence is similar to many cases reported by owners of vehicles (venture, montana, grand am, etc.) with either the 3.1l or 3.4l gm engine. There is no prior warning before engine failed, except for the low coolant light turned on a while back. Coolant was topped off to recommended level at that time. Owner of these vehicles should visit http://www.gmintakeleak.com/ for more information.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Visibility · 53,000 miles · CA

Two months ago I took my chevrolet venture(with 53,000 miles)to a certified chevrolet repair shop complaing that the low coolant light was on, and that my van was experiencing a loss of power. After having my car in the shop for 8 days I was told that they couldn't find any problems. I was charged 153.00 for the diagnostic test and an oil change. A week ago my car started to overheat. I again took the van to the shop. I was told that I need a brand new engine at a cost of $5,000. I just finished paying off this $27,000 van. Now it is worthless. I don,t understand. To add insult to injury I can not role up my window on the drivers side, as the power switch has failed

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 77,500 miles · 00

The following is a letter sent to gmc on 1/18/03. Gmc did not do a thing to help out with the defect. Note that [xxx] is the owner of the vehicle. My name is [xxx] - his son - I am filing the complaint on his behalf. ----- sir / madam: due to a significant manufacturer's defect in my gmc venture, I was forced into a dangerous situation where I could have been seriously injured. At an intersection on hastings street - one of the busier streets in vancouver - my vehicle unexpectedly stalled leaving me helpless, without power. Several mechanics assessed my minivan concluding that, for no normally expected reason, the camshaft snapped in half, rendering the vehicle inoperable and causing significant, irreparable damage to the engine block. Attached to this letter is an analysis of the engine failure conducted by a mechanic with 23 years of experience. Having purchased five new exclusively gm vehicles in the past, specifically a pontiac sedan, a pontiac station wagon, a chevrolet van, an oldsmobile calais supreme and my present venture minivan (wolfe chevrolet oldsmobile, vancouver), I consider myself a loyal gm customer. Being a lifetime gm customer I'm disappointed and surprised by the extent and magnitude of my minivan failure. I realize that the warranty has expired, but I believe it to be completely unreasonable for a camshaft to snap after only 5 years of light to moderate use. As such, I feel it is only fair and reasonable that gmc, being consumer minded, reimburse me for this manufacturing defect. The total cost for repairs is ~ $4600. Please contact me at [xxx] or [xxx] to discuss further. Sincerely, [xxx] VIN: [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 4, 2004 · Engine · OH

I have a manifold gasket failure that makes it necessary to replace the engine. This vehicle only has 50,000 miles. At this point we were told no help from gm. From looking at complaints I see this is not the only problem. Gm should be made to fix this problem on all affected vehicles. It is obviously a manufacturing problem.

Filed Nov 23, 2003 · Engine · 65,000 miles · MI

Our 1997 chevy venture van with 65,000 miles on it just lost its second engine in less than two years. My wife and I are the original owners, and it began at 50 something thousand miles when the dealer stated the head gasket leaked and the engine had damage from the coolant. Now, on nov 18th, 2003 the engine died and the mechanics say that it is the cam shaft undoubtedly from the original coolant damage. Information from the internet would indicate that this is a well known problem. Two engines in less than two years and I still owe on the loan.

Filed Aug 13, 2003 · Acceleration, Engine · 90,000 miles · RI · fire

Description : I bought a used 1997 chevrolet venture from the norwood group in warwick, ri back in sept 2002. Approximately 5 weeks ago I began experiencing overheating problems. I took the vehicle to pep boys in warick, ri for a diagnostic thinking that it was the thermostat. They ran the test and came back with an engine problem, and advised me to take the vehicle back to the dealership. I did this and the service dept at norwood informed me that there was a problem with the intake manifold gasket. After having my vehicle for two weeks they repaired that and when taking it for a test drive before returning it to me, they decided that I now had a throttle body problem. Fixed that and two weeks later the vehicle started to smell strongly of gas. Again I took it to pep boys where another diagnostic was run and it was determined that the fuel injector, intake manifold and the fuel injector kit had to be replaced. Back to norwood I go....norwood assumed a portion of this repair but it still cost me a lot more money than it should have considering they had just done this work.less than 48 hours after getting my vehicle back, while on the road and 120 miles away from home the vehicle caught fire from underneath. Oil is sprayed all over the vehicle's exterior,the engine and undercarriage. I had to pay to have the vehicle towed back to norwood. The engine appears to be seized up and will not turn over. I am extremely disappointed over the performance of this vehicle, the dealership and the cash outlay I am having forced upon me. I want to know what can be done in the way of recourse.

Filed Aug 8, 2003 · 90,000 miles · RI · fire

I bought a used 97 chevrolet venture from the norwood group in warwick, ri back in sept 2002. Approximately 5 weeks ago I began experiencing overheating problems. I took the vehicle to pep boys in warick, ri for a diagnostic thinking that it was the thermostat. They ran the test and came back with an engine problem and advised me to take the vehicle back to the dealership. I did this and the service dept at norwood informed me that there was a problem with the intake manifold gasket. After having my vehicle for two weeks they repaired that and when taking it for a test drive before returning it to me they decided that I now had a throttle body problem. Fixed that and two weeks later the vehicle started to smell strongly of gas. Again I took it to pep boys where another diagnostic was run and it was determined that the fuel injector, intake manifold and the fuel injector kit had to be replaced. Back to norwood I go....norwood assumed a portion of this repair but it still cost me a lot more money than it should have considering they had just done this work.less than 48 hours after getting my vehicle back, while on the road and 120 miles away from home the vehicle caught fire from underneath. Oil is sprayed all over the vehicle's exterior,the engine and undercarriage. I had to pay to have the vehicle towed back to norwood. The engine appears to be seized up and will not turn over. I am extremely disappointed over the performance of this vehicle, the dealership and the cash outlay I am having forced upon me. I want to know what can be done in the way of recourse.

Filed Aug 13, 2001 · Engine, Lights · IL

Shortly after purchasing car, headlights filled with moisture causing lights to burn out. Dealership stated there were no replacements even made yet. At almost 100,000 miles engine died, power steering failed, belt slipped and AC went out within days of each other. 1800chevusa rep "jason" said "chevy only builds their vehichles to last 100,000 miles". Never again will I buy chevy. Not after what jason said.

Filed Sep 26, 1999 · Steering · NY

This failure occurred while driving out of a supermarket parking lot. The steering wheel seized and had to be forcefully righted. This occurred twice more and the vehicle was brought into a local shop for diagnosis and repair. Gm was notified of the repai

Filed Feb 24, 1998 · Electrical · FL

Electrical system causing panel to contain hot spots as well as through out vehicle with failures of various components within the instrument panel and engine failure.