1997 Pontiac Trans Sport engine problems

Filed Nov 7, 2008 · Engine · MI

In nov. Of 2007 I was having a problem with my van overheating and was losing engine coolant but could not see where it was going. I later found out that I had a faulty intake manifold gasket, which cost me over 800.00 to repair. Not long after the gasket was repaired the van started overheating again and I discovered that the water pump was blown, that was another 174.00 to repair. Now I am still having the same problem with the van overheating and coolant leaking and I was just informed that it is a head gasket which is going to cost me over 1700.00 to fix. This is ridiculous, I know 3 other people who have the same make and model van as I do with the same engine and they are all also having the same problems with their vans. It seems to me that this is too much of a coincidence and that their should have been a recall in place to rectify the problems with these faulty parts. These are extremely expensive repairs and I personally do not have an extra $1700.00 just laying around, so now I am faced with the choice of junking my van and trying to get a new one which I cannot afford or fixing it which I also cannot afford.

Filed Jul 22, 2008 · Engine · 72,000 miles · OK

Our 1997 pontiac transport has had 3 head gasket failures. The first was at 72000, second at 88,000 and is currently dead in front drive with water in the oil again. Had new heads put on at 72000. Vehicle overheats and does not show on gauges. You hear it bubbling when it's shut off. Also had to replace alternator 3 times and van only has 110,000 miles on it. We've had since new.

Filed Jun 30, 2007 · Engine · 90,000 miles · CO

I have had this vehicle for 7 years and have always had problems with cooling system losing antifreeze. Now I am told the intake manifold gasket has been needs replaced.

Filed Feb 5, 2007 · Engine · 166,000 miles · MN

Replaced the upper intake manifold gasket in 2006 . In the last 3 weeks, the van was not putting out much heat and the temp gauge did not rise up to the normal level. I drove into town 6 miles at 60 miles an hour and the temperature gauge went all the way up. I let it cool down and drove to the mechanic ( 1 mile ) and it was going back up again. They replaced the water pump, radiator cap and thermostat and I picked up the van. Within 1 mile it started to heat up again. I returned it . They believe the head gaskets are blown. The estimate that I got to repair it is 1200.00. I got 3 estimates with the high of 1600.00. I already replaced one and now have to re replace it and the other. I'm getting really tired of this but I have to fix it because I cannot sell it if it doesn't run. Hope they fix this in the next vehicles. I wouldn't recommend it due to this defect. It was also very scary because I was dealing with temperatures of -20 with wind.

Filed Mar 9, 2006 · Engine · 93,600 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 40 MPH the vehicle ran hot and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic determined the head gasket needed to be replaced however no repairs were made.

Filed Feb 25, 2005 · Engine · 64,990 miles · MI

I noticed the low coolant light would go on sometimes and the vehicle was going through coolant much faster than any other vehicle I have owned. *nm I performed some research on this issue and discovered a service bulletin regarding the faulty intake manifold gasket in model year 1997 transport vans, among others. This service bulletin clearly indicates that this issue a result of a poorly designed gasket. Further research indicated that having this problem with your vehicle could result in catastrophic engine failure due to the leaking coolant getting into your engine. This now creates a safety issue due to the unpredictability of when your vehicle could breakdown. I took the van in to a gm dealer the next day. The diagnosis was a faulty intake manifold gasket that was causing coolant to leak inside the engine. The repair estimated to $720, for parts and labor and $130 to pay for a faulty blower motor resistor that was also diagnosed. I called gm to request cost assistance and was told that the "car has too many miles on it, we can't help you now". I was given the reasons that the vehicle was bought used, and the vehicle was too old. Although I have had this problem fixed, gm claimed no responsibility for this issue. Furthermore, I am not convinced that having this failure did not create other problems that would result in catastrophic engine failure at a later time.

Filed Feb 18, 2005 · Engine · 61,000 miles · IL

Vehicle intermittently stalled when making a right turn. Dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Jan 19, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · VA

The vehicle's transmission had to be replaced and the engine had to be replaced due to a faulty head gasket. *nm the transmission failed twice. *jb the consumer stated that he has had the vehicle towed on four separated occasions.

Filed Dec 15, 2004 · Engine, Steering · IL

Todays date- dec 15th, 2004.have had 1997 pontiac transport for almost 1 yr. I just found out today that the rack and pinion are going to have to be replaced, along with the thermostat and water pump.*ak regarding operation of the rack & pinion, the trouble started about a month ago. I first noticed problems w/the steering while backing out. I thought it might have been power steering, checked the fluid and it was full. Not terrible problems, but little enough to notice something was not right. It has now gotten a little worse, so I had it looked at and was told the terrible news just this very day.

Filed Dec 9, 2004 · Engine · MI

I bought a 1997 pontiac transport in 2001 and not even a year later the intake gasket went bad they told me there was a defect on the intake gasket andgm did not give a recall for it that isn't very fair when it is their fault it keeps going I have to pay $785 again after another 2 years and again now I think somebody should do something about this because people are getting ripped off because they wont give a recall on this part when its their fault please help us with this problem. Thank you .