2001 Chevrolet Venture: engine overheating

Filed Aug 17, 2015 · MI

The cooling system overheats alot and ive bought alot of coolant because of this problem and ive gotten stranded a couple of times and its crazy ive did some research and it could be multiple things but for sure its going to cost alot for this I cant lay for these exspensive repairs im still going and paying for school id just would like some help to get these exspensive repairs fixed because this van is my ownly transportation.

Filed May 12, 2014 · Engine · 112,156 miles · OR

We were driving on the freeway and noticed the heat gauge starting to rise very quickly to the red zone. The engine stalled and once the temp came down we proceeded to an auto parts store. There we purchased a thermostat, radiator cap, and 2 gallons of premix dex-cool. We installed the new cap and filled system with the dex-cool. We drove about 7 miles to a lake for a day of fishing. The inaccessibility of the thermostat, I could not change the thermostat that day. After sitting (not running) we started for home (60 miles). We had only gone about 10 miles when it overheated for the first time. We could only go about 10 miles before we'd have to stop and let the van cool down and add more coolant and water. It took 6 hours to get home. Over the next couple of days the overheating problem continued. On 28apr2014 we had the van towed to a local (reputable) auto shop. The next day we were informed that the intake manifold was leaking and would have to be repaired before they could pressure test the system to check the other components (radiator, radiator cap, etc.) the cost of just the intake repair was estimated at $1500-$2500. I have been researching the issue online and found that this is a common issue with these vans because of the dex-cool being a plasticizer and an aluminum corrosive. Also found out that gm has known of this problem but have chose not to fix the problem. I have had recalls on other vehicles (for a less problem) because the manufacturers said ok we have this problem so to keep our customers we'll fix it, but not gm. It wouldn't be so bad if gm even tried to fix this issue. We are middle-class and have a hard time making ends meet and can't afford this kind of expense.

Filed Oct 9, 2009 · Engine · 111,571 miles · CA

Our 2001 chevrolet venture's intake manifold gasket has failed, allowing coolant into the engine oil. We started having trouble with it in january 2007. The check engine light came on and we took it in to our mechanic. He checked the cooling system and found the thermostat was not working properly. It was replaced. In june 2008, we noticed a loss of coolant. We took it in to our mechanic again. He did a coolant system check and found nothing wrong, replaced possible leaking hose. Once again we were losing coolant. We took into our mechanic again (third times a charm). Could fine nothing wrong with cooling system, did diagnostic and found a leak in the intake manifold gasket. We had no warning, no check engine light, no over heating since earlier time. The main problem is the coolant was going inside the engine, no outside leaking to warn us. The car stalled and died on us, luckily it was at a stop light. It could have caused a major accident if I was driving on freeway going 65. It has been parked at my house, non-op with dmv. Gm has admitted to me during more than one call that they have known about this problem for some time, but refuse to fix it. They say they are waiting for the federal safety agency to put out a mandatory recall before they will fix any problems. There are thousands of people with this same problem. The 3.1ll and 3.4l v-6 engines were put in all body types and different gm makes and models. Now some v-8's and newer models are coming down with the same problem. According to internal memo's from gm, they have known about this problem since 2000. Dex-cool seems to be the culprit. It is a known plasticizer (softens plastic) and is corrosive to aluminum. The gasket on the intake manifold is made of plastic and the some of the manifolds and or parts are made of aluminum. Dex-cool degrades hoses, gaskets and also rusts aluminum, causing a sludge to build up into the engine. Why would any one put this corrosive material into an engine on purpose?

Filed Mar 1, 2009 · Engine · 50,000 miles · MI

Bad/leaking manifold gasket...... Coolant leaks....causing water pump to burn out...replaced twice already....and coolant to get in with oil. *tr estimated repair cost > $700

Filed Mar 31, 2008 · Engine · 130,000 miles · IL

Vehicle cooling system is faulty. My research and experience proves this point and chevy needs to be held accountable! At approx 120k, the engine overheats and the vehicle cannot be driven like that. Mechanical replaced intake gasket for $1100 and recomended changing the head gasket for an additional $1000 but could not afford that. 1 year later, same problem, overheating and cannot drive with that, mechanic tests and finds faulty head gasket, $2000+ estimate, will not pay that for a faulty cooling system. Legal resolve to be sought, please contact me if you can to assist or join a potential class-action suit!

Filed Dec 20, 2007 · Engine · 98,978 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 chevrolet venture. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated. A mechanic stated that the intake manifold gasket malfunctioned and there was also a coolant leak. Gm advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The contact has not yet been to the dealer. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 98,978. Updated 01/17/08 *bf updated 01/17/08

Filed Jul 15, 2007 · Engine · 77,500 miles · AZ

Intake manifold leaks, causes engine to overheat which resulted heads were warping. My family and I were traveling eastbound on I-10 coming home from our family vacation from disneyland and heading back to phoenix az when the engine overheated on the 2001 chevrolet venture minivan. We waited on the side of the road in the desert for the engine to cool to add water into the radiator. 45 minutes later the engine cooled enough to add the water and for some reason it would not draw the water out of the reservoir. The engine would not start. We called the state police and a highway patrolman came out and could not do anything for us. He called a tow truck and we were charged $250.00 to be towed 25 miles from where we were to the truck stop at tonapah. He wanted $700.00 to tow us home to chandler, az. However, a friend came to our rescue by towing us home with a strap from his truck. By the time we got to the 101 freeway in the east valley the battery died, adding to the drama and stress of the evening. We finally got home after 1 am , we were expected at 5 pm. I was told by the mechanic at the chevrolet dealer that the heads were on national back order because of faulty intake manifold, and it was a well known problem in engines over 75,000 miles , we have 77000 miles, causing the engine to over heat and damaging it.

Filed Dec 12, 2006 · Lights · 85,350 miles · TN

Taillight circuit boards overheat and melt causing failure. Left one happened 3 years ago while under warranty. And most recently right one melted and had to pay to have it replaced. Service advisor said they had seen several of these.

Filed Nov 4, 2006 · Engine · 35,000 miles · MI

At 35,000 miles, intake gasket failure, coolant leaked into intake, repair covered by warranty. At 68,000 miles intake gasket failure along with head gasket failure, coolant leaked into crankcase contaminating oil. Was recommended by mechanic at the repair shop to replace engine and did. The new used engine had a intake gasket failure along with a head gasket failure 36,000 miles after installation. Informed by mechanic that a new gasket kit came out for this engine to fix the gasket failures with the 3.4 liter. Both engines had the same problem. It is obvious to me that this is a engineering flaw by gm. I feel gm should cover the cost of this gasket failure.

Filed Jun 21, 2005 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · CO

Dt: while on a trip the caller heard a noise and the engine overheated. She pulled over, and saw what she thought it was lack of antifreeze. She put some anti-freeze in engine and tried to drive, but it would not run. Had vehicle towed to dealer, and dealer said it was transmission , and he was replacing transmissions in other vans like hers. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.

Filed Mar 22, 2005 · Engine · MA

The lower intake gaskets leak fluid, which could cause the engine to overheat and stall. Manufacturer will be contacted by consumer.

Filed Mar 21, 2005 · Engine · 47,300 miles · NY

Coolant loss, and temperature problems LED me to mechanic, assuming it was a thermostat. He traced problem to leaking intake gaskets. Vehicle only has 47,000 miles on it! Cost $532 for 6+ hour job to replace faulty intake gaskets. Gm should have issued a recall for this; they obviously know about their faulty gaskets, because the set now offered is a "new and improved set".