Coolant leak and gasket failure on a 1999 pontiac montana 3.4 l engine. I have had to replace the water intake gaskets twice on this m.v. They fail approx. Every 80,000 miles.
1999 Pontiac Montana engine complaints
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Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked antifreeze was observed on the ground below the front end of the vehicle. An independent repair shop replaced the intake gasket and head gasket on two separate occasions. The problem returned following both repairs. Updated 06/07/2006. *ak
Failure of engine in 1999 pontiac montana at 101,000 miles due to leaky head gasket causing engine to overheat. This was after repairs for gasoline leak in engine due to failure of intake manifold gasket. All maintenance was done as per manufacturer's recommendations at dealership of purchase.
First of all the drivers door panel inside comes off and gets stuck making it very hard to open the door. August 2005 I had to replace the head gaskets due to leaking antifreeze into the engine. March 2006 I have to do the same thing again. The technician said these vans are known for this . I guess that's what I get for buying america>>>??
Dt*: the contact stated while an independent mechanic was performing a routine oil check, it was determined the intake manifold was bad and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact this was the fourth vehicle within one week with the same engine size that had a bad intake manifold.
My 1999 pontiac montana has had persistent problems with a faulty intake manifold gasket where antifreeze is required to be added every few weeks. The manifold gasket was replaced by a gm dealership at 65,000 miles, but shortly after began to leak again. The vehicle has now at 99,000 miles has had a catastrophic engine failure, and an estimated $5,000 repair. I believe the engine has ceased as a result of the faulty intake manifold gasket.
Dt*: the consumer stated she applied the accelerator, the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The mechanic checked the vehicle and determined the engine had failed.
During a regular oil change my mechanic discovered oil in the anti-freeze. Head gaskets went out. My mechanic states they have seen in almost every 3.4 pontiac montana mini van that around 80,000 miles there is oil in the antifreeze which indicates a head gasket malfunction. Took mechanic 3 days to fix my van to a cost of $1212.83 plus I was without a vehicle for 3 days. At about 79,000 miles the wheel bearing went out. Now the slider passenger door won't open or won't close at times.
On feb. 3 of 2004 we purchased a used 1999 montana. The low coolant light was coming on so we took it back to the dealer. They "couldn't find anything wrong" but it was low on coolant. I checked this web site and found many complaints about manifold gasket failure around 60,000 miles. Our van had less than this so we kept our eyes open to why this light kept coming on and even asked the dealer to make sure it wasn't leaking antifreeze into the engine. They said it was low but there was no leak. Then in feb of 05 we had to replace the water pump and one week later a new noise started, so we took it back to a mechanic who found antifreeze leaking into the engine, $800 later it seems to be working fine. Why can't pontiac be made to fix this obvious problem. We no longer have dex-cool for antifreeze!! The low coolant light had come on intermittently for the whole year we owned it and finally we found a good mechanic who knew exactly what the problem was, the dealership--lithia ford of boise--had "no idea". It would have been under warranty if they had fixed it last year. Leaking intake manifold gasket caused engine problems.
Head gasket leaking on 1999 pontiac montana, 80,000 miles, $700 to repair.
The intake manifold cracked causing the engine not to function.
We have 1999 montana with appox. 57,000 miles and the intake gasket has failed. I have been a di-hard pontiac/gmc buyer all my life, but after my last two vans we decided to purchase a ford. I had nothing but trouble with my 1996 transport and traded it for our 1999 montana. I love my montana, but the carbon knocking in embarrassing and now we are being charged over $600.00 for a problem that gm knows exists. I was about to purchase another vehicle in the gm family until this week. They are offering $1500 in "loyalty cash" we have been loyal! Where is gm's loyalty!!! My next car will most like be a non-gm model thanks to gm's loyalty!!!!!
We have only had our van a year. We have had problems since we got it. One thing after another. First coolant leaking, electrial problems, intake gasket leaking. Replaced 11/05. Motor failed 1/05. Door mailfunction.
The consumer states the intake manifold has malfunctioned. As a result the coolant leaks into the oil and the consumer is now concerned that the engine could fail. The cause has yet to be determined. Please provide additional information.
We have a 1999 pontiac montana that we purchased new from a local dealer in south bend in. I noticed oil and antifreeze going down and took the van to a garage. He said that pontiac should make the repairs because the leak was caused by a manifold gasket problem I took it to the local dealer and talk to him about repairs. At first he said the repairs would be around $1500.00. I told him that it would be cheaper to buy another vehicle. He said probably. A real smart aleck. I told him that there was, at that time, 30,0000 miles on the vehicle. He talked to the manager and they came up with a price around $600.00. I told them to do it. The final price was just under $400.00. Now I find that it is leaking a little again and the water pump is leaking, too. I had a private garage change the water pump and probably won't get the manifold gasket replaced at this time. I also had the brakes checked and found that the rear wheel cylinders were leaking. That is another cost on this 1999 pontiac montana van. The drivers door needs a repair to some of the mechanism in the window and it will cost around $500. I have heard that this window problem is common with these vehicles. I have reached the point of getting rid of the van and going to something besides a gm product. The van has 32,000 miles on it now and I shouldn't be seeing all of this high dollar repairs on it.
My 1999 montana started leaking antifreeze rapidly. Two different service centers stated it was a worn gasket in the lower intake. Repairs came to $604. Know this has been a problem for many vehicles with the 3.4 engine. I noticed the leak at 72,000 miles but have had to add coolant many times over the last 2.5 years.
Vehicle overheated on highway- with kids in car en route to family outing.
Low coolant icon lit up on dash at 15000 miles.dealer said intake manifold gasket failed and it was replaced under warranty. At 51500 miles low coolant icon lit up on dash. Dealer said intake manifold gasket failed and it was replaced at a cost of 503.00 dollars to myself.
Intake manifold gasket leak. Needed replacement after loss of coolant into oil. Evedently a common defect. $700. Transmission problems at 24k miles. Dealer fixed. At 79k miles needed replacement for $3300.
I have noticed my coolant level is down very often with the "low coolant" light coming on, as well. According to my gm dealer the lower intake manifold is leaking coolant from my 99 montana with about 60k miles. Dealer has indicated the repair of this gasket to be over $700 which is outrageous. I have owned about 12 cars in my lifetime and not one has had a problem leaking coolant out around the intake manifold gasket. After reviewing other complaints on the federal safety agency website, it is obviously a defect in this model engine and consumers should be reimbursed, if not fully, then partially for the repairs. A $700+ repair bill is way too much to expect the consumer to pay out for this defect.
The last 4 cars I have owned have been gm vehicles. I have tried hard to be loyal, when in 1998, my 1992 olds achieve blew it's head gasket at 79,000 miles. A defect that was so common on quad-4 engines in these vehicles that many were recalled to be fized, before 75,000 miles......I didn't know until after....by 4,000 miles!! The total job cost me $1700usd. I did purchase a 1999 montana van and another bonneville (1995) over the last 3 years. In dec. Of 2002 the lower intake manifold gasket was replaced on my montana with only 55,000 miles on it, cost of $388. Then this past january, I was driving my 1995 bonneville and my head gasket blew. So $1633 dollars later, it turned out the problem was caused by a plastic upper intake manifold that burned out in the opening for the egr check valve. As I have found out on multiple web sites, it seems that on the 3.8l series ii engines, that their have been many problems when gm changed from a die cast aluminum part to this plastic plenum tub. The plastic tub burns 1-2 holes around the egr check valve, where the water jackets are, thus failing and causing coolant to fill in the upper intake and then be sucked into the engine. It seems that gm is well aware of this problem, but has not recalled any parts. Again, this was my 2nd blown head gasket, but since the car was a 1995 I was upset, but figured that nothing could be done. Not 10 days later the 1999 montana, with only 79,000 miles on it, blew the head gasket (this a 3.4 liter engine) another $1400 later, and I determined enough was enough. 3 different engines in 3 different cars, was no fluke. That is when I found out on the internet, that there were all these different issues people were having with gm engines. I have spend approximately $5200 fixing this issues over the last couple of years. I want retribution!! Gm either needs to own up to their mistakes and make good, or lose yet another life long customer, his wife and their 3 kids!!!!
I had to have the engine replaced on my 1999 pontiac montana. There were only 53,000 miles on it at the time. The reason for replacing it was because of a problem with the cooling system that caused "gunk" to build up and eventually ruin the engine.
At 54k miles the intake gasket required replacement on a 1999 pontiac montana with a 3.4l engine. Had been told that it had been leaking coolant outside the engine block for some time. Local certified mechanic performed gasket repair stating that he has replace many gaskets on the general motors 3.4l engines. More than he could count. The bolts holding the two pieces of the engine together with the gasket between are finger tight in most cases. I have obtained a presentation from gm powertrain explaining why gaskets leak on the 3.4l engine. Presentation suggests modifications to the gasket and to bolt torque settings. I was told by the above mentioned mechanic that there is a more robust gasket for the repair along revised torque settings for the bolts and suggested application of loctite to the engine bolts to prevent them from backing out.
Intake manifold failed at 35,888 miles. Dealer advised they were not aware of this problem. Veh out of warranty due to age.
Engine. Poor gasket/coolant design allowed coolant to leak into engine causing cam bearings to sieze causing my cam shaft to break. Vehicle is still 1,500km away at a dealership who is currently replacing with new engine. My cost= engine+labour+extra week holiday for being stranded+plane ticket to return home {and to fly back to pick it up once everything is repaired} I checked the internet on a hunch and was absolutly amazed at the extreamly high amound of people having the same problem. The smacks of a bad design/ insufficient testing/ and cover-up on gm's part even with their bullitens for this available on the internet.
Heat & engine low coolant light on;heater blower inop at some speeds(replace intake gasket and blower fan resistor paint paint bubbled on hood transmission harsh shifting (faulty pressure control solenoid) wheel noise in bearing (replace wheel hub assembly) brakes a.b.s light always comes on(loose wires;disconnected wire faulty sensor)ongoing problem not fixed(rear wiper motor;passenger mirror keeps shifting;no heat control in position half window half floor
Coolant light coming on and noticed coolant always missing from coolant recovery tank. Took vehicle to local gm dealer and after testing found that the intake manifold and head gaskets were leaking. After very little research on the internet I found alot of people are having the same problem. I contacted gm for assistance and was essentially told I was on my own they would pay nothing. Gm acted as if I was the only one having the intake/head gasket problem. I have an uncle and a friend of mine that live in the same town I do that own a pontiac montana and both have had the same gasket problem. They both contacted gm and were told the same thing I was told. I feel like gm should acknowledge the problem with there 3.4 v6 engines, stand behind there product and pay for these repairs. I have always been an avid gm supporter but this really is begining to change my way of thinking.
There is a defective intake gasket on 3.4l engines that are installed in many of the gm models. I have been told by numerous repair shops and a service manager at a chevrolet dealership that he replaces about 1 or 2 a day and can't believe that gm hasn't been forced into a recall. There has been 2 to 3 updates since 1999 in an attempt to correct problem. The new part # that was installed in my engine is 89017279. Is there any recourse against gm in this matter?? I have been getting the royal runaround between gm customer service and the dealership I bought the van from in april 2003.
As appears to be common with the engine in this vehicle, the intake gasket failed causing dexcool to leak into the engine and thus contaminating not only engine oil, but causing failure of critical internal components due to the fact that dexcool deteriorates/weakens certain metals, etc. In our case, the vehicle's engine completely failed while driving 60 MPH on a 6 lane expressway with no prior indication of problems. Gm is aware of the problem but refuses to take any responsibility for its inferior design! A recall should be begun immediately. Without quick, calm reaction my preganant wife and two children could have been rear-ended and severly injured or killed. How would gm deal with the publicity of that lawsuit!
Engine-low coolant light evaluated and found to have faulty intake gasket-repaired, would like gm to cover under recall, service manager stated "it happens alot more often than gm wants to admit in the 3.4 and 3.8l engines in searching recalls, noted several petitions with same complaint. Steering--hard left turns at low speeds, evaluated and service dept (gm) stated no current recalls for the '99 montana, the recall ended with the '98 transports. The same problem seems to have continued, would like gm to extend the recall to cover the '99 montana's november 1, 2003 update:low coolant light came on and I had it inspected at harry's pontiac, 819 patton ave. Asheville, nc 28806 on jan 07,2003. They recommended replacing the lower intake gaskets and did so on the 8th. The cost was $442.00, gasket ki $49.46, coolant $30.00, cleaner $4.67, sealant-r $11.79, seal $3.68, oil filter $5.31, oil $9.00, and gasket $47.40. There was also tax and a 10% charge for shop supplies/waste disposal for $15.00. Milage was 54,530. We purchased the van in sept 1999. We traded the van in june, feeling the montana didn't have a good track record after all of the repairs we'd made. (transmission problems while still under warranty, air bag light came on intermittently, identified as an open circuit in the passenger seat belt pretensioner difficulty making left hand turns at low speeds.)
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