My upper intake manifold leaks engine coolant into the combustion chambers and into the crankcase. The egr tube melts the upper plastic manifold I have had the upper and lower intake replaced for this issue once before with gm parts and it happening again. If it not fixed the coolant can contaminate my oil and lock up my engine when traveling down the road and possibly cause me to crash. If the engine locks up I will lose power steering and braking ability.
1998 Pontiac Bonneville engine complaints
Page 2 of 8: complaints 11 to 40 of 200, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own a 1998 pontiac bonneville se. I saw recently that gm was recalling 1.5 million vehicles with the 3800 3.8 ltr v6. Was wondering how they could recall those vehicles and not mine, my car is in the same year range "1998" and has the exact motor "3800 3.8 v6" and oil drips on manifold on my car as well. What kind of info can I get on this? Thank you
98 bonneville with 3800 series engine. Noticed coolant was low so I added coolant, then replaced thermostat because heater was putting out cold air. Saw big cloud of white smoke. Took to the dealer and they said that due to a known defect involving a plastic manifold and egr valve that the coolant had mixed with the oil due to holes caused by the defect in the upper and lower manifolds. Called pontiac directly and they said sorry about your situation but no recall. Contacted previous owner and he said the same thing happened 3 years ago and he had the same thing fixed. Long story short, I'm spending $1400 for a problem that the engineers of this engine knew was a problem from the beginning of production.
6 months after purchasing this professional cared for car (gm garage 8yrs) from my mother with only 62,000 miles on it I began seeing coolant on the engine which LED me to have my mechanic at precision tune auto care take a look. He said it is likely a leak from either the plenum or the gasket. After digging into it they ended up replacing upper plenum and lower intake gasket and coolant and oil. Cost was 739.71. Mileage on car at that time was 78540. I have receipt from precision.
1998 pontiac bonneville poor production manifold/gaskets. Customer states that the manifold/gaskets and dex. Cool were in poor production on her vehicle. *kb the upper intake manifold needed to be replaced. The thermostat and gasket had coolant in them. The mass air flow sensor was bad. Metal fragments were found in the oil which was coming from, the rod bearing that failed due to the vehicle over heating and coolant in the oil. The catalytic converter needed to be replaced because the vehicle was riding rough and the engine was shaking. The consumer stated there was a recall on the vehicle to prevent the manifold from cracking. After the recall was performed in july 2004, the manifold cracked one month later. The consumer stated ever since the recall was performed she has engine problems. The consumer stated when the upper intake manifold was replaced in august 2004 the lower manifold should have been replaced as well to prevent future damage, however since it was not replaced, stop leak pellets mixed with the dex-cool and the lower intake manifold leaked.
I am the owner of a 1998 pontiac bonneville with a 3800 engine. I am the original owner and the car has less then 42,000 miles on it. The upper intake (plenum) and seals have failed resulting in coolant leaking into the engine. I phoned an acquaintance who worked as a technician at the gm power train engineering facility in flint, michigan where the 3800 engine was engineered. He said it was common knowledge by the engineering skilled trades employees that the upper intake design was flawed. There were many intake failures observed during dynamometer testing. Some even exploded. I was told that the engineers and management was well aware of the defective design, but for some reason, changes were not made. I can direct investigators to employees who witnessed intake design failures in the testing facilities.
The 3800 engine in my pontiac has in the past two years for some reason has had to have the intake manifold replaced twice because it has cracked. I am trying to out if there is a recall or some sort of reimbursement for this problem on the 1998 pontiac bonneville or other 3800 series engines?
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was stopped at an idle, the engine rpms elevated, and the oil gauge indicated low pressure, followed by engine hesitation. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined no oil leak was present, but a plug wire to the engine cylinder needed to be replaced. The problem persisted after the repairs were performed. The manufacturer was contacted.
Dt*: the contact stated, there was an intermittent problem starting the vehicle, a severe hesitation when accelerating from a stop, as well as backfiring of the engine. An independent service mechanic discovered low fluid levels in the radiator, wet and rusted spark plugs, cracked head gaskets and the piston had torn through the oil pan. The manufacturer the recalled (04v090000) item was replaced in july of 2004 by the previous owner of the vehicle and the recall was closed out. The vehicle was taken to the dealer service mechanic for computer diagnostics.
Disappearing coolant - no visible leaks. Engine quit running required tow. Replaced plastic intake manifold.
Driving on highway when 1998 pontiac bonneville with low mileage had service engine alert go off. Car gauges indicated it was over heating. Pulled off road to check out and found antifreeze low-never saw any leak or puddle. Cooled car and added antifreeze. Car worsened and acted like it was going to start fire. Huge white smoke out of tailpipe & loud engine noise. Towed to repair shop where they said it is intake manifold design defect due to plastic casing on many gm models. They replace at least one per week. Stranded out of town for over 8 hours. Oil and antifreeze in all sparl plugs. Spent $1100.00 to have new "updated design manifold", oil changed twice, coolant flushed, new spark plugs and new starter done due to a chunk broken off of cone because of manifold rupture.
1998 pontiac bonneville overheated. *ts the consumer stated the engine started to sputter and then would pick up abruptly and then the engine light illuminated. The consumer was told water was coming out of the plug holes. The consumer had the vehicle towed to another establishment where he was then told the entire engine had to be rebuilt or replaced. The mechanic stated the manifold had a leak at the throttle body. The consumer stated the problem has resurfaced again 4 years later.
Please be sure to file your complaint at www.autosafety.org and sign up for the class action law suit against gmc. I know there are more people out there with the same engine coolant and plastic manifold problem that have had to replace or rebuild the engine in the 1998 pontiac bonneville.
There are 313 complaints on this website as of today concerning the 1998 pontiac bonneville. Out of those 313 reports, at least 132 are 100 percent related to the plastic manifold failure which causes the engine to overheat to catastrophic results. I have had to replace the engine on my vehicle twice within 4 years. Gmc is refusing to acknowledge this issue and it is a shame that the almighty dollar is more important than integrity,honor and people's lives. What happened to pride in what you manufacture?shame on gmc!!!
It is very obvious that gmc is refusing to acknowledge the apparent defects with the pontiac bonneville. My engine locked up in july 2001 with no prior warning. The mechanic that repaired the car told me that water and radiator fluid was coming out of the engine and the cheap plastic plentum had to be replaced. Now,the same exact problem has occurred once again on 11/07/2005. The car was only going 35 MPH when the engine over-heated and this time it is costing me 2,321.00! I feel something should be done by gmc or research should be done to resolve this problem. It is extremely apparent that this is a defect in all 1998 pontiac bonnevilles and something should be done to address the problem. I have 3 children and cannot afford a new car nor can I afford to re-build or re-place my engine every 3-4 years.
The check engine light came on and my engine locked up and radiator fluid was coming out of the head gaskets on the engine with no prior warning. This is the second time within 4 years that this has happened with this car.
Dt: contact states the intake manifold was leaking into cylinders, causing engine to lock, damaging starter and spark plugs. Removed and replaced for the second time on 6-17-05 at a cost of $900.00: the upper intake manifold and gasket, replaced spark plugs due to a recall #04v09000 fuel system/ gasoline delivery. She was refunded money by pontiac. Now she was requesting money back fot the second time. Also, received an investigation# peo2050; concerning engine, but she has not received a recall letter .
The intake manifold gasket (plenum) failed costing me $2000 in repairs. The gasket had been made of a faulty plastic by gm in trying to cut manufacturing costs. The car is a 1998 pontiac bonneville. I purchase it with 49,000 miles in 2003 and it cureently has 62,000 miles.
For the second time in about 2 years my 98 bonneville had the plenum crack while simply driving at normal speeds. This allows water to enter top of motor which requires vehicle to be shut off immediately or motor will overheat until it is ruined. The car had about 50,000 miles at first occurrence and has 72,108 miles on it when it occurred again last friday. Car is undrivable until parts can be bought and installed, making this a very dangerous situation if you are on highway when that occurs. It has cost more than $ 800.00 each time to get vehicle fixed and I now have no trust in this part of motor what so ever as there is no real reason why it occurs other than plenum being plastic so it can't stand up to normal pressures or temperature changes. Vehicle manufacturer has admitted they made a fix for problem but it is at owner's expense which does not seem fair as this is an obvious design flaw which allows dangerous situations for owner to happen.
Vehicle was parked, consumer proceeded to start it, and it caught fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. Consumer later found a recall for the intake manifold, however, his vehicle was not included.
Consumer disappointed with reimbursement for 1998 pontiac bonneville. The fuel pressure regulator was replaced. *bf recall campaign: 04v090000. The recall is related to the fuel pressure regulator leak. The temperature gauge was fluctuating while the vehicle was being driven. The check engine light did not come on. The consumer turned the engine off and allowed it to cool off. The consumer restarted the vehicle and heard a loud back fire with a loud bang. The vehicle did not restart. The consumer smelled fuel shortly after. The vehicle was towed to a nearby dealer. The intake plenum and the intake plenum gasket needed to be replaced. The thermostat blew out again. The consumer stated that he feels that the failures are a result of the recall issue therefore the reimbursement check was not sufficient. The consumer stated that the brakes had a ticking noise.
Recall campaign: the vehicle's engine failed prior to recall notification. *nm the consumer request reimbursement for the repair made prior to recall notification.
While driving at any speed vehicle was running rough. It was taken to a repair shop, and mechanic determined that the problem was a crack in the intake manifold. Consumer was concerned that this was the second intake manifold replaced within two years. The manufacturer was also notified. *ak
Upper intake manifold developed a coolant leak into cylinders. On startup, the engine hydrolocked. When engine hydrolocked, the starter was damaged and had to be replaced. The intake manifold and spark plugs had to be replaced. The dealership said this is a common problem and all manifolds will eventually fail.
Sudden catastrophic failure of the intake manifold causing anti-freeze to enter the engine, oil resulting in complete engine failure at 75 MPH. *ak ase certified mechanic replaced engine, intake manifold and peripherals for over $5000. Have possession of original factory intake manifold showing hole in egr area that failed. Ruined engine had to be returned for core fee. Car recently off extended warranty. Gm customer service uncooperative and claims that tsb 010601007a (the federal safety agency item #620835) not published by gm. Gm customer service claims car has not been properly maintained, did not care to have details of oil changes (every 3000 miles) or other service performed as recommended in owner's manual. This is an obvious product failure and is a serious safety issue at higway speeds! When engine locked up, lost all power and had difficulty getting off the highway and onto the shoulder. Very thankful my husband was driving and not me, as I would not have been able to get the car off the highway due to the tremendous strength required to perform that task when there is no power steering! Recently received a safety recall from gm for the gasoline pressure regulator that must have a number of variables happen all at the same time to become an issue. Why is gm not being held accountable for this serious intake manifold problem that appears to be lying in wait for the unsuspecting consumer?
1998-bonneville 70,000 miles. Started stalling intermittently on one occasion, got car to mechanic and found out that the upper plenum had a hole burned right through it. Had to replace the upper manifold because of coolant leaking into the engine. $910.00 later it is fixed. Did some research and found that gm is aware of this problem and know of numerous complaints about this. Wondering when they are going to call for a recall??????
While driving vehicle stalled. Vehicle shut down, and was towed. The intake manifold was found to be defective.
When driving at an undetermined speed, the check engine light appeared on the dashboard, then the vehicle stalled. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealership and the mechanic determined that the fuel pressure failed. *ak the radiator cap was replaced. While in motion, about 2 miles at 30 MPH, the check engine light had come on. The vehicle was returned to the mechanic. The next day the vehicle would not start. The dealer found that fuel leaked and ruptured the manifold. Recall#04v090000. The consumer was told that the recall was not in reference to her vehicle. *sc *jb the consumer sent in a thank you note after recieving her recall notice.
While driving vehicle stalled and turned off. Vehicle was towed to dealer, who replaced the engine.
While driving 55 MPH vehicle overheated. White smoke came from the tail pipe. Vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed consumer that the problem was a crack around the egr located on the intake manifold.
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