1998 Pontiac Bonneville: won't start

Filed Jun 3, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · TX

On multiple occasions I have pulled to a dead stop at a light and during the idling time the engine shuts off and it will not start again. Very embarrassing set of trips to nearby grocer. ..

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · 60,789 miles · PA

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.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Electrical, Fuel system · 61,513 miles · NY

Had tune-up and regulators changed (based on recall) on 7/19/04. Then on 7/22/04 smoke emitting from exhaust and then car would not start. Car towed and repaired (manifold cracked). On 7/26/04 car taken from shop, 2 hrs later car would not start again. This time claimed starter was the problem. Consequences: over $1,500 in repairs.

Filed Apr 9, 2004 · Engine · 60,789 miles · PA

Vehicle back fired due to manifold rupturing. The next day vehicle would not start.

Filed Dec 7, 2003 · Engine · 88,160 miles · NC

On november 4, 2003 my wife contacted me at lunch time to inform me her car would not start. After checking the battery and starter it was determined the motor had locked up. When I contacted the dealer I found that I still had 1 year left on my extended warranty although at 88,000 miles I was 500 miles over the extended warranty. They informed me this was classic signs of the air intake manifold. I proceeded to repair the car myself. After taking the air plenium off the air intake manifold I found the top of the air intake manifold filled with anti-freeze. Apparently, the air plenium had developed a crack and allowed the anti-freeze into the air intake. This permitted anti-freeze to fill number 1 cylinder with anti-freeze and would not allow the piston to travel to the top of the cylinder. After searching the internet it became apparent I was very lucky. There were several cases reported on line where this happened while people were driving and caused major lower engine repair such as shattered rods and crankshafts. I also noticed there appears to be a large number of complaints on your web site on this issue. I sent an email to general motors via their web site on this issue. It amazes me that this part is made of a plastic composite material and is mounted to the top of the engine. With the heating and cooling cycles the engine goes through, it is only a matter of time before this product would fail. From what I have seen on the internet and talking to various part clerks it is between 80,000 miles and 100,000 miles when this product fails. I am not sure if this is designed intent by gm, although they have not changed this design through the 2003 models. Needless to say I did not get a response back for gm. I felt with this type of defect and the safety problem this could cause if this were to have happened while traveling down a major highway there should have been a recall on this. Sincerely, william j. Fitzgerald.

Filed Oct 7, 2003 · Engine · 57,542 miles · IL

On september 19,2003, my 1998 pontiac bonneville with 3800 v6 overheated(check engine light and high temp on gauges), would not restart and would not turn over by starter motor. Had to tow into shop and had cooling system checked. Pressure leaks were detected. The shop mechanic diagnosed that the upper plenum for the intake manifold, which is made of plastic, had become warped where the egr valve connects to the engine block. This allowed antifreeze to fill up the engine cylinders. The small repair shop where my car was repaired stated that they had replaced many of this particular upper intake plenum for this particular engine. The tow truck driver told me what the problem was even before I told him the entire problem.

Filed Jul 10, 2003 · Engine · 88,957 miles · IN

On july 1, 1998 pontiac bonneville with 3800 v6 overheated. Took it into shop and had cooling system checked. No pressure leaks were detected. When I left the shop, engine began missing and check engine light came on. Engine smoothed out, but took back to shop and they put on machine. Cylinders 1 and 6 had been misfiring, but seemed to be running fine. The next day on way to work, the engine began missing badly again and temperature gauge went up to about 240. After work, engine would not turn over at all. After having car towed back to shop, I learned that the upper plenum for the intake manifold,which is made of plastic, had become warped where the egr valve connects to the engine block. This allowed antifreeze to fill up the engine cylinders. The small repair shop where my car was repaired stated that they had replaced 10 of this particular upper intake plenum for this particular engine.

Filed Jun 11, 2003 · Engine · GA · fire

Consumer tried to start up vehicle, an under hood fire occurred. *mr the vehicle wouldn't crank. The consumer thought the vehicle wouldn't start because it was cold. The vehicle sounded like something exploded under the hood as the consumer started the vehicle. *scc

Filed Feb 15, 2002 · Engine · MI

Engine check light came on, so I stopped the car added antifreeze, then the car wouldn't start back up, so I had it towed to a garage . The mechanic there found that there was a hole in the plasic upper plentium and antifreeze got in the motor, so now we are having to replace the whole motor.

Filed Feb 8, 2002 · Engine · MO

After noticing engine running hotter than normal, checked radiator - coolant level was low, nothing in overflow reservoir. Antifreeze and water added to fill, restarted car - idled rough then check engine light came on and started blinking. Added additional water and antifreeze when radiator was again low and reservoir empty, then car would not start at all. Vehicle towed to dealer who stateed it is "hydro-locked" due to melted plenum allowing coolant into cylinders. Engine will have to be replaced or completely overhauled. Complaint made with pontiac, no reponse yet. Found several other consumer complaints regarding same issue on this site...also for grand prix, buick lesabre, park avenue and chevrolet malibu.

Filed Jan 28, 2002 · Engine · GA

Car heated up. The engine was shut down to cool. Antifreeze was low and added with no evidence of a leak. Car would not start and was towed to a garage. It was discovered that coolant had been sucked into the pistons due to a hole or defect in the plentum (part# 17113136) of the manifold. After discovering the defect in our part we found that this part has been replaced numerous times with the exact same defect by two dealerships in our area in the past year. After contacting pontiac/gm we have received no help for damages ($1,500.00) caused by this defective part and they have no intentions of having a recall per mr. Rafiat jimoh, customer relationship manager. Can a report be obtained of the number of times this part plentum #17113136 has been replaced in gm cars in the past year?

Filed Jun 29, 2001 · Suspension · MI

Had a vibration in vehicle. I thought it was a wheel out of balance. Had tires balanced the day of engine failure. Still had vibration. Engine ran rough then quit. Checked engine compartment, realized had no coolant. Engine had siezed. Would not crank. Mechanic removed spark plugs and coolant drained from all combustion chambers. I did design work on this product at gm and asked an aquanitance about engine problems. He said that gm had the egr gas temperature too high and this was causing the "plastic " intakes to fail. Intake will warp and coolant leaks into air passages causing engine to run rough and/or stop depending on amount of leakage. This also contaminates the exhaust system (catalytic converter). Also extensive engine damage depending on failure. ( amount of water). This defect involves all gm vehicles made with this engine. Pontiac, buick,chevy. Any product made with "plastic" intakes until gm corrected the problem ( egr temperature into intake). I am sure there are and will be a lot of failures of this type as the vehicles age. I think this is a recall type situation due to the amonut of vehicles involved. This also may mean I won't be able to find a job in this industry by reporting this!!! I have an automotve related job doing business with gm as one of the customers.