1999 Chevrolet Venture: engine failure

Filed Aug 15, 2005 · Engine · 84,000 miles · NJ · crash

I have had numerous problems with my 1999 chevrolet venture which my husband purchased new for me in december 1998. Last year I experienced problems with the engine light staying on, coolant level constantly dropping no matter how often we added dex cool, and then in the spring I had to have the intake manifold replaced due to engine oil in the coolant. He told me he has had several customers with chevy venture and olds silhouettes with the same problem. Just a couple of months after this repair which cost me over $1,000.00 my car suddenly stalled in heavy traffic on route 22 on my way to work. I managed to get it to the shoulder before it stopped rolling despite losing power and called my mechanic. He towed me to his shop and has informed me that my camshaft is broken and he has never heard of anything like it before! Well, after finding this site while researching what to do about this problem, I found this site and was shocked to see all the same complaints and since at least 2001 chevrolet has known about these problems and didn't care about their customers enough to warn them or offer to replace the source of the problem before we had major engine damage like mine. I am lucky I was not killed on the highway by a truck rear ending me or something! I am a single mom with 4 kids and I still owe my mechanic over $800.00 for my last repairs and now this! No way can I afford to replace the engine! Besides, another venture engine would just have more problems! And now I'm reading about other problems like air bags not working and windows exploding and transmission failures, tail lights and electrical problems! These cars are death traps! And most people who purchase mini vans have young children! Gm should be ashamed!

Filed Oct 11, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 32,334 miles · TX

Day of purchase, major engine failures replacement of nearly everything then some. Continues to arc electrical sparks under the hood. Electrical shorting of all components within the van internal engine issues not correctable just bandaiding fuel issues with oil coolant and arcing constitutes a fire and possibly death. I have all serviced repair documents if one should need to view them.

Filed Jul 19, 2004 · Engine · 77,036 miles · PA

Intake manifold gasket of engine failed leading to dex-cool radiator fluid leakage on ground and into engine oil. Repair of intake manifold gasket, water-pump, special sealant for bolts cost consumer $807.00. The leakage of toxic fluid into environment has no estimated cost, but represents hazard to animals and environment. Chevrolet has received a high number of complaints about this problem and issued a technical service bulletin related to revised gasket, sealants, torque specifications and order of tightening bolts, but did not issue a recall. Internal damage to engines is often not determined until complete engine failure despite repair of manifold gasket. Dex-cool fluid cited in chevrolet literature as having 100,000 mile lifespan, but fluid appears to have destructive potential to engine beginning at anywhere from 40 to 60% of this estimated lifespan.

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Engine · 86,800 miles · MI

I bought a used 1999 chevrolet venture with 54,500 miles on it. 7 months and 32,000 miles later, the van is at my local chevrolet dealer with $1,650 $2,200 of engine damage, due to an intake manifold gasket failure.*ak the vans 3.4l engine was well-maintained, with frequent oil changes and inspections. The only warning sign that I got was that the coolant level had to be topped off about once a month. A mechanic said that the coolant loss was due to evaporation. My mechanic offered to replace the engine with a used one for $2,200. He would put a new intake manifold gasket on the replacement engine, so I would be less likely to run into the same problem again. I learned of gm technical service bulletin #03-06-01-010, with subsequent revisions appended a and b, which describes a repair procedure for coolant leaks on 3.1l and 3.4l engines. The repair procedure is install a new design intake manifold gasket. The material used in the gasket has been changed in order to improve the sealing qualities of the gasket. When replacing the gasket, the intake manifold bolts must also be replaced and torqued to a revised specification. The new bolts will come with a pre-applied threadlocker on them. my son called chevrolet customer assistance and spoke with john brooks, who told him that I would have to have my van evaluated by the service department of a chevrolet dealer before he could offer any assistance. He gave me the following service number with which I could reference the call: 1-201938-040. The intake manifold leak was confirmed at the local chevrolet dealer. The service manager estimated that the engine could be repaired for about $1,650, including parts and labor, but that he couldnt confirm the extent of the damage without getting into the engine. getting into the engine would cost $500, after which there would be no going back. he said there would be no assistance from chevrolet, as I hadn't bought or had my vehicle serviced there.

Filed Mar 25, 2004 · Engine · 56,348 miles · PA

Leak in the intake manifold gaskit , which has been diretly related to engine failure,which I now have with my 1999 chevy venture

Filed Feb 4, 2004 · Engine · 84,000 miles · IL

This complaint is directed at potential safety issue concerning vehicles using the gmc v6 engine. In my case, with a 1999 chevrolet venture, a poorly designed intake manifold gasket caused the dex-cool coolant to leak into the engine. This coolant is corrosive and will lead to catastrophic engine failure. The problem is especially serious since the leak cannot be easily detected due to its internal nature. A brief investigation on the internet found well over 5,000 other persons reporting the same failure. Gm has refused to issue a recall on this problem, but should do so immediately.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 50,000 miles · PA

I am the original owner of a 1999 chevy venture mini-van. We had the oil changed at an independent mechanic every 3,000 miles. Last week my wife was driving and heard a knocking noise. The van stalled and we had to have it towed to our mechanic. He looked at it and said there were major internal problems. We then had it towed to our dealer and were told it needs a new engine. Our mechanic said since we faithfully got the oil changed there is no reason we should need a new engine. The dealer gave us an estimate of $5,300 for the new engine. We called gm customer service to see if they would help pay some of the cost. We just mailed them a copy of all our maintanence and are waiting for a reply

Filed Dec 13, 2003 · Engine · 71,000 miles · MI

At 71000 miles intake manifold gasket failed. If not repaired this will lead to engine damage and possibly total engine failure. At my own expense I had it repaired using the proper "re-engineered" gasket. Expense was $550.

Filed Apr 4, 2003 · Engine · 78,000 miles · MD

1999 chevy venture, engine temperature gauge went to about the 50% mark, intake gasket failed, engine seized. Needs a new engine at 78000 miles. Well maintained vehicle.

Filed Feb 26, 2003 · Engine · 60,000 miles · IA

The intake manifold gasket failed at 60,000 miles requiring about $800 in repairs. I have been driving vehicles for 35 years and have never seen an intake gasket fail. I understand from my mechanic that this is a common problem and that gm is aware of it. Gm should be required to repair this defect as it could lead to a blown engine which would be very dangerous in traffic.

Filed Feb 26, 2003 · Engine · 65,000 miles · TX

Intake manifold gasket on the 3.4l engine in my 1999 chevrolet venture failed. This is a pervasive known problem with the 3.4l engine produced and sold by gm. Gm has had a nationwide backorder on the gasked involved indicating redesign due to poor initial design. I had to wait 4 months for the gasket to be delivered and there were 2 other ventures in the repair facility unable to be repaired or driven due to the backorder. My cost for repair was $538. Others have had to pay over $4,000 due to engine failure. This should be investigated and gm made to conduct a nationwide recall/reimbursement of said repair costs. If you desire I will provide my repair invoice. Due to the part failure and waiting on gasket delivery and repair, I may have hidden engine damage that may surface at a later time.

Filed Feb 18, 2003 · Engine · 65,000 miles · IL

I have dex-cool coolant in my oil. It seems that I have a bad gasket, and that there are a lot of others who also have this problem with leaking gaskets (which have been redesigned). I think that gm should fix my car prior to total catastrophy of engine failure with my less than 1-year old child on board.