1998 Oldsmobile Silhouette: engine overheating

Filed Dec 4, 2007 · Engine · TN

We purchased a van in good working order in 04/2006. It was used previously by one owner since being purchased new. In november 2007- it began overheating and losing coolant. The diagnosis is now replacement of head gasket and possible intake manifold gasket. This is a very common problem with this particular engine. Gm has refused to help their consumers in any way if there is no warranty. As with all problems these could fail due to normal wear and tear, mileage, and or age. I do not believe this to be the case in numerous complaints including my own!

Filed Aug 12, 2005 · Engine · 121,000 miles · NC

Dt: contact took vehicle to a service dealer for routine maintenance and they replaced the lower intake manifold to stop the coolant leak. The consumer stated vehicle was still leaking gasoline and coolant. The consumer did not want to have this problem repaired at the time of the routine visit. The consumer stated the service dealer had to keep the vehicle for about a month.

Filed Sep 12, 2004 · Engine · 66,059 miles · FL

Coolant leaked from gasket into engine degrading oil and resulted in extensive damage and cost. The downgrading began with this event. Il pump eventually clogged resulting in low oil pressure & repaired again. *ak eventually, engine self destructed, while on freeway, loosing power steering and power brakes resulting in near accident while exiting freeway. Then had to rent a chrysler van to escape oncoming hurricane frances. This is more expense and aggrivation. All because of a faulty gasket leaking coolant into engine. This looks like neglegent design on gms part resulting in a catastrophic failure which could have resulted in death.

Filed Mar 29, 2004 · Engine · 50,000 miles · MO

I have just found out that my olds silhouette has a coolant leak in the intake manifold withh only 50000 miles on the odometer. To my discuss I was informed that this is a very common and "predictable" failer. I hope that it has not caused any further damage to my engine. It would have been in the least a reasonable action on behalf of gm to give owners of their vehicles a heads up on this all to common defect.

Filed Mar 19, 2004 · Engine · 120,886 miles · KS

Overheating/cooloing system/intake gasket failure on a 1998 oldmobile sillhoette van with a 3.4 ltr v-6 engine.low coolant light first came on about march 12th, 2003 during a long cross-country trip. Engine not overheating so I purchased some dex-cool to add to system. No visible leaks. Engine overheats in february of 2004. Changed thermostat assuming it to be problem (no heat but hot engine). There were no other warning lights. Weeks past and system not working properly but not getting overheated. Finally taken to mechanic were he immediately suggested the intake manifold gasket as a common prolem. Van taken to gm dealer for several repairs ($1700) including intake manifold gaskets, water pump, complete cooling system dex-cool flush and other maintenance. We drove the van about 30 miles and experienced another severe overheating episode. The van was towed back to the dealer and I began doing some research on the internet. Research LED me to this site. It is obvious this is no isolated incident and I feel general motors has been grosely negligent in accepting resposibility.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine · 59,000 miles · OH

Engine overheats due to coolant leak cause by faulty intake gasket.

Filed Mar 28, 1998 · Electrical · DE

Continuous overheating of the controls for the radio/air conditioner/heater/cd player.