1997 Chevrolet Venture: engine overheating

Filed Aug 2, 2016 · Engine · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet venture. Within less than 30 days of owning the vehicle, the service engine light and the coolant light randomly kept illuminating. The contact stated that the vehicle overheated. The mechanic was notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting the diagnostic results. The contact received no solution from the mechanic and was uncertain of what needed to be repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was not available.

Filed May 6, 2010 · Engine, Lights · 99,998 miles · WI

I have owned 3 chevy venture minivans over the past 10 years. All of them had the same problems, the signal and head lights go out, the window switch goes out and finally the head gasket goes. They run great until the day it starts overheating, then your out a vehicle. Everyone I know who has a venture has had at least one of these problems with their vehicle.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Engine · 98,000 miles · OH

Intake manifold failed on van. Vehicle became hot quickly and stopped running. Had chevy dealer replace intake. Vehicle still overheats. Problem has not been resolved after spending over $1100.00. I appears that this is a very common problem with the 3.1, 3.4 and 3.8 gm motors. Very dissappointed in this product.

Filed Mar 3, 2004 · Body, Electrical · 74,000 miles · CA

Consumer complained about a multitude of problems: 1. Headlights came on and off intermittently; 2. When hitting a bump in the road, headlights came on; 3. Engine overheated due to leaking radiator , and 4. Electrical problems, such as ignition and power door locks malfunctioned regularly. *ak the vehicle was hard to start. The door panels were loose. The windshield leaked. The anti theft alarm malfunctioned. Rear window washer malfunctioned.

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Engine · 94,060 miles · IL

Van taken for service for complaints of engine overheating and temperature gauge going up and causing temperature (hot) and service engine soon indicator lamps to come on. The van never warms up either. The van was diagnosed by gm technician indicating repairs of leaking lower intake manifold gasket, replacement of lower intake gasket thermostat and oil pump drive seal. Cylinder #2 misfire with installation of new spark plugs and wires, pcv valve, air filter, fuel filter and cleaning of fuel injectors. The van didnt get 1.5 miles from the service facility after my almost $1600 payment before the same problems resurfaced. The car was taken back and after being serviced again with no new diagnosis, I drove the van all of 20 miles before the engine overheated again. The van was taken back for the second time after initial service, all within a one-week timeframe. Now, the van has been diagnosed as having head failure. Gm needs to stand behind its work the first time and not try to charge the consumer more the third time for the same problem.

Filed Feb 17, 2004 · Engine · 95,000 miles · ME

My chevy venture with 95,000 miles, with no prior warning, rather suddenly overheated and stalled as I was pulling it over on the interstate. Thankfully there was a level, grassy shoulder so I could pull all the way off the road, as the heavy truck traffic was quite intimidating. This was in maine, on a very cold day, and I was alone with my 4 small children, about 45 minutes from home. Tow truck driver couldn' t take all of us, and there were no taxi cabs. Thank god one of my friends with a van (ford!) was able to come get us. We had to wait in the cab of the tow truck for 45 minutes for my friend to come from home to where we were stranded. Got the van back from the dealership with a $2800 repair bill (apparently we got off easy, usually more engine damage is sustained in this kind of thing) diagnosis: failure of intake manifold gasket (which dealership admits is a "design flaw", resulting in these problems for too many owners) resulting in a flooding of engine with antifreeze, sudden temperature change warping the head. If this is such a common problem, I wish it had been recalled for a replacement before this incident. Chevy needs to know that its minivan products are almost always driven by moms with large families who cannot afford (financially or safety-wise) to break down so dramatically and without warning. My children and I were terrified that day--if it had stalled 5 seconds sooner, we would not have made it off the road. Thank you. Marcia hyde.

Filed Feb 2, 2004 · Engine · 92,100 miles · CO

Coolant lost 3.4 litre g.m. Engine. Failure of intake manifold gaskets causing overheating and engine repair.

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 · 76,000 miles · OH

Our van suddenly overheated coming home from work a couple weeks ago and totally shut down. Our dealership says that we need new gaskets and the heads are warped due to the engine getting so hot. There if oil in the coolant and boiled the coolant and overheated the engine!! We have only had our van for 11 months with no extended warranty and we know of a lot of other people having the same problem. Gm has not so far done anything to help!!! Our dealership has been very nice, but they say there is no recall at this time for this problem!!! Sincerely. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Nov 4, 2003 · Engine · OH

My chevrolet 1997 venture suddenly overheated on my way home from work and the van died. When I did get home I let it set and noticed the coolant was low, which it was never before. Check if often as per the manual. Had it towed to our dealership and now the gaskets are ruined and the heads are worped due to the engine getting so hot!!! There is oil in the coolant!! $1,200.00 in repairs which we don't have!! Gm will do nothing. Have only had the van for 1 year. No warning lights came on it just happened suddenly!!

Filed Aug 22, 2003 · Body, Engine · RI

The vehicle leaked coolant which caused the vehicle to overheat. *ak also the fuel injectors failed and the sliding door did not shut properly. *jb