1998 Chevrolet Venture: engine failure

Filed Nov 27, 2015 · Steering · 122,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that while making a left turn at approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 09e005000 (steering). The failure mileage was 122,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2005 · Engine · 70,000 miles · OK

Ticking begin at around 45000 to 50000 miles on 1998 venture, soon it needed bearings and rods, the mechanic took off the oil pan and oil was like mud, I have oil changed every 3000 miles, I saw the oil, it was awful, then one day the oil light came on and the service engine light and at around 70000 miles I need new engine, I have always been a general motors person mainly cherolet, but, as of now, I am thinking it will be a cold day in ---- before I buy another, I see why the foreign motor companies are kicking butt...I am not the 1st to have a problem with the ventures.. I have been told that the maifold is leaking into the oil system there by causing this problem with engines blowing...I do not know what to do, I have 4 children 2 of whom are in college and 2 at home, I can't just race out and buy a new one, which chevy offered to maybe give me a little off if I wanted to buy a new one.

Filed Jun 2, 2005 · Engine · OR

Dt: the contact owns a 1998 chevrolet venture. Two months ago she had to replace the engine due to the cam shaft breaking. She replaced the old engine with a new one. One week later the cam shaft broke again on the same spot as the other. Mechanic said that he had never heard of a hollow camshaft, and that was the way all cam shafts were for this vehicle.

Filed May 10, 2005 · Engine · 39,000 miles · KY

Vehicle taken in for routine oil change at 39000 miles. Mechanic informed us that there was a manifold intake leak that would cost $600+ to fix.I did not do the repair, but have since been informed that there is damage to the engine and that not repairing could cause sudden engine failure. Something known and common like this is shameful for a car 3000 miles out of warranty. I suspect the problem was present at the oil change prior to 36k.

Filed Jan 22, 2005 · Engine, Lights · GA

Water build up into the front head lights and water build up in the engine. Had to replace lights and engine after lights were replaced we had to drill a hold below the light covers so that water build up can drain from hole. Had to replace the engine.

Filed Jan 15, 2005 · Engine · 139,000 miles · CT

December 2002 - manifold gasket failed, allowing dexcool coolant to mix with the oil system. Gasket replaced. November 2004. Replacement gasket failed. Coolant in oil system again. Modified gasket kit installed. Jan 2, 2005. Cam shaft breaks. Bearings/bushing seized due to oil system contamination. On jan 2, 2005, the van stalled in intersection. Car restarted. Car then stalled on the expressway on the way home and would not restart. The stall occurred on a bend coming out of a tunnel. Approaching cars had little warning that our van was on the side of the highway. Police helped push the van off the side of the road onto the grass. The van cannot be cost effectively repaired. It needs a new engine.

Filed Jan 10, 2005 · Engine · 84,000 miles · NC

Engine stalling and under performing due to manifold gasket leaking coolant into engine. My wife was entering a main road from our sub-division driving our chevrolet venture '98 when the engine started running roughly and sputtering. This could have been fatal with the oncoming traffic. This problem was due to a leak of coolant I believe into the engine. It seems gm is aware of the problem but has not notified owners of the vans. At the least they should be making consumers aware of the problem and the fact that engine failure could occur during critical times.

Filed Jan 3, 2005 · Engine · NY

Extreme leak in the intake manifold gasket, leading to possible engine damage due to coolant destroying aluminum components of internal engine parts. The following was done to prevent immediate engine failure: replace intake manifold gasket and thoroughly clean inside engine ($771), replace oil pressure switch ($86), full coolant flush ($105), oil/filter change ($15), and replace coolant sensor ($85). Consistant with historical failure of all similar makes/models. Customer pays for gm's poor product.

Filed Apr 14, 2004 · Engine · 127,000 miles · OH

My 1998 chev venture was getting coolant into the motor oil which caused it to start ticking.I took it to the dealer and they said it was the intake gasket. They fixed the problem which cost me $1500.00. Three months later the engine blew up .I had to get a reman.engine which cost $4000.00.I feel because of the faulty gasket this lead to my engine problem.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · MI

Since purchasing this van I have had numerous problems, with the most recent being an engine replacement. This problem stems from the bad design of gm's intake gasket which breaks down and causes anti-freeze to leak into the engine causing premature wear and/or replacement.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 83,350 miles · MD

Current problem is leaking coolant with ticking sound in engine at startup until engine is warm. Diagnosed by dealer as blown head and intake gaskets. Estimated cost is $1300 for gasket replacement and another $660 if head is cracked. Mileage is 83350. Many other reports exist of this problem in chevrolet ventures with some leading to engine failure. 3.4l v6.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Visibility · 80,000 miles · MI

1998 chevy venture, engine light came on, pulled over engine tapping & smoking. No oil light or change in temp, gauge observed. Had to walk on interstate 1.2 miles took ride from unknown couple, had van towed. Diagnoses was: intake gasket collapsed, causing connecting rod to go through engine. Dealership & gm customer care refused any assistance. Overwelmed by severity of this gasket problem readily available on the internet. We replaced our engine with a used one, that is all we could afford. It definitely was the faulty gasket that caused our engine to be replaced. When this first happened, no dummy light came on, nothing to even tell me there was a problem, such as low oil or service engine. The mechanic who replaced our engine told us he has seen several chevy venture vans with the same exact problem we had. We had the servive done at d&n garage 4929 south m-76 west branch, mi 48661, the owner is nelson smith. The phone # is 1 800 203 8504. It cost us almost $1600. To replace the engine, we lucked out finding one that had only 40,000 miles on it. Nelson made sure to put the new gasket on this engine. The gm dealership here refused to help. Where we bought the van refused to help, the gm helpline just very rudely told me it was my problem.