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in the nhtsa website I referenced above in #611, there's a tsb for the gasket leak as well. I think that pretty much makes it a "known issue" right there...
I like my van a lot, and would lean towards getting another gm vehicle one of these days, but if they won't acknowledge that this is an obvious defect/design flaw on their part...well they very well could lose a customer (maybe forever) if mine starts leaking and they won't do anything for me whatsoever.
jeber.. you need to read the whole TSB to find out what exactly they are referring to when it comes to intake manifold leaks. It could be that they have discontinued the RTV number and are now using a new supply number. I just found snipets of info about intake manifolds at #6ll post when I looked up 01 Silo. Maybe I am not looking where you are.
http://152.122.48.12/prepos/files/Artemis/Public/TSBs/2003/SB-100- 01282-8175.pdf
makes reference to leaking intake manifold gasket and says that replacement should be gasket of new material not as prone to leak (paraphrasing)...which tells me the original gaskets ARE problematic/prone to leakage. So, my 3.4 has a defective gasket. GM should take care of a new one if it leaks (within reason, mileage-wise)
as I've related here before, Nissan had a run of 3.0 v-6 blocks that were bored a little off, resulting in slight "piston-slap" on cold start...they did a silent recall and took care of a new engine, installed free of charge in a little over one day, no games or bs. I already liked nissan alot, and then liked 'em a lot more and wouldn't hesitate to buy another nissan product.
A simple lesson to be learned there...maybe someone at gm needs to go down to their community college and take a "Business 101" class!
* You don't need the aircompressor kit, but the standard shocks don't have the air pressure capacity of the HiJackers. The kit alters the built in compressor limit to about 125psi if my memory serves. Unless you are loading your van to the max this may not be an issue. Otherwise as someone noted, you can splice into the existing lines and avoid the kit, but why not use the full capacity when you need it?
* Ride - as I noted before, one of my rear shocks was leaking and the other had not, both were very light in weight compared to the new shocks. My van also used to bounce more, and was so soft in the rear you just sat on the back to change shoes and it would sag and then compressor would kick in. The new shocks really reduce this by about 1/2. Handing is much improved for me.
* front struts - I found that when I hit large bumps like tonight, the rears are firmer in dampening than teh front, even with the new Gabereal gas struts, but its pretty balanced. I'd get the same type to match them as much as possible.
Good luck folks, hope that helps.
Dirkdaddy
'98 Olds GLS
Our 98 Montana has 93K miles and about every couple months I added about a cup of coolant to the overflow reservoir. In fact I could see where the coolant was "seeping". Not much but still visible. Reading the horror stories about catistrophic engine failures, I've monitored coolant level for several years. SOOOOOOOO I decided to tackle changing the lower intake manifold gasket replacement. Not a job for the faint of heart! I think every bolt, accessory, connector visible on the top side has to be removed or disconnected! The new gasket is installed using the new torque specs. I'm waiting for valve cover gaskets (not included in the gasket set). Some observations: specific leak area wasn't apparent. Very little corrosion. I was expecting more. I did change the "5 yr" Dexcool at 2 1/2 yrs and will continue that practice. Very little sludge/deposits in any of the oil areas. Probably in both valve areas less than 1/2 teaspoon. I've used Mobile 1 since 30K. Don't want to start a "discussion" on oils. For all I know any good grade of oil would have done the same if changed regularly.
Since Autozone sells the Gabriel Hijackers for 59.99 for both and Pepboys will install them for $50 to $60 I'll get this done by them after Xmas.
Thanks again for posting this valuable information!!!!!
Was my Silo running hotter before the flush because of the old antifreeze or do I now have a thermostat that is stuck open????
Could you gents or ladies tell me where your pointer is pointing after your Silo is fully warmed up. Thanks for your help.....
BTW - I had a slow 5-10 drops antifreeze leak on garage floor each day. After flush I added a tube of Barrs Leaks (the powdery stuff) and the leak is now gone....
Has been like this from day 1.
Anyone know if I could use these wheels on my van? Assuming I get the right size tires (205 60 16's).
They also found globs of goo in the radiator. They said it was from the air reacting whit the dex-cool coolant. Had to have the radiator flushed.
The total came out to $890.00. The repair Tech said that I should replace the dex-cool every 20,000 miles not the 100,000 miles GM claims. I would get 30,000 on the green stuff.
Thanks
The Chevy option packages gave us what we wanted without adding anything extra to drive the price up.
As for which dealer is better - that is s local thing. It sounds like you have done this and the Chevy dealers are better.
Of course you can bring your Pontiac to Chevy dealer. After the first couple of visits, we opted to bring our Venture to a Pontiac dealer. Some dealers do not like this but others prefer to take my money for service and GM's mony for warranty work.
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Share your vehicle reviews
If this is the problem, is the entire system disabled, or just that airbag?
Thanks,
Jim
Dec '02 replace LR wheel speed sensor
Jan '03 replace RF wheel speed sensor
July '03 replace LF wheel speed sensor
Sept '03 wiring/connector repair
Nov '03 re-connected LF wheel speed sensor
We had our first dusting of snow this weekend in Toronto and the AWD/ABS light came on again just as I got on the highway!!! As in the past, slush/water seems to make the warning light go off when there's a problem.
Having bought the vehicle for its AWD feature (and especially since the ABS feature doesn't work when the AWD is disabled), I can't go on like this (my wife drives the kids daily, the family skiis in the winter and we don't know when the systems will kick out next). Any suggestions, etc. would be appreciated (other than the obvious, which is to buy the new Sienna w/ AWD!).
Thanks.
these vary from state to state, certainly Canada, but basically if they can't fix a given problem/defect after x number of tries, they (manufacturer) might be legally required to buy back the van
although you've probably already considered this, I thought I'd mention it anyway!
just something to think about if the hardware seems ok on the AWD/ABS.
have almost 1/2 million miles on Subaru AWD and never had any drivetrain problems with them.
as for the famous leaking coolant, when I called my Chevy dealer to ask why there was a little puddle of coolant on the garage floor under our Venture, he knew what the problem was right away. So its definitely a well recognized problem, by some dealers anyway!
Move seat back to normal position and when re start (mine flashes 7 times then goes out).
Re start the van. Should cure if not it is somewhere else.
Also found if you open the passenger power operated door when engine running, then close the airbag light stays on, but will go out after a few seconds but does not flash.
The Fords, Honda, Chrysler/Dodge all seem to have worse problems, so I think you'll do ok. I'm guessing here but I think from what I've read on the boards is that Honda is fixing its problems, which honestly is more than I can say for GM's refusal to admit that millions of their vehicles with the 3.4 have a coolant leak problem.
GM also has by far the best fuel milage.
DirkDaddy
interesting, in the "return of gm's might" thread, the gm minivans are (once again) getting raked over the coals for design, not being completely redesigned, looks, narrowness, side-impact crash tests, 3.4 V-6 problems, etc. etc. that's the perception by many people of these vans... *sigh* -- one factor that is huge with millions of people who are on a bit of a budget is, these vans are a darn good value, especially compared to the toys & hondas...I like the looks of my silo, I won't go so far as to call it a a "beautiful automobile" but I like it fine. Narrowness...that's a big plus for me! I can get both cars in the garage easily, and it makes it more easy to maneuver! Crash tests...been over that here before, in a "real world" crash, tests show these vans are quite safe. Oh well, perception is reality for most...I did a lot of homework and have not regretted my purchase one bit.
I also find it funny that under the list of van topics every other van has a topic dedicated to problems including a 2004 toy. None of the GMs have this. That tells you something right there.
Don
Last night, we put a deposit down on a 2004 Honda Odyssey. It is going to cost me more money for the Honda versus the Venture. However, we typically like to keep a vehicle for more then four years and I think we will come out ahead with the Honda in the long run. We also have a ’95 Subaru Legacy, 100,000 miles and still going strong. By the way, my father-in-law traded in his Cadillac for a Lincoln. I was stunned by his decision but I guess I'm following his lead.
Phil
lilblessings: wow, that's a heckuva deal! was that mechanic or dealer. I seem to remember a guy I knew 2 or 3 years ago had just headgaskets on a V-6 (Accord, or Accura not sure) for like, $1200...without ANY of that other stuff! amazing
$$ through the nose for a Honda. Not worth it.
1. Build quality was horrible, I have cloth seats and the plastics on the side just keep on breaking off from their screws. Plastic screws on the moldings and wheels wheels started to disappear.
2. The instrument cluster surfaces tend to get warmer (other cars I owned normally isn't)
3. AC doesn't blow cold air during summer, no hot air during winter (have to go to the dealership everytime the season changes)
4. Tires don't last very long, am suspecting that the rear air leveling suspension is causing the rear tires to cup sooner.
5. Squeaks and rattles that GM technicians can't fix.
6. Noisy idle, could here the AC compressor vibrating (my 6 yr old high mileage car is very quite)
7. Coolant leak, radiator hoses and thermostat problem (worst cooling system..see the temp gauge go up to the 3/4 mark and then down to 1/2) I wonder if they're putting in low quality hoses in this luxury minivan!!
8. Front cup holder falls of from the assembly if a large size cup is used. A 3rd grader must have designed this.
9. I don't think this van will last long, traded it while it still has value.
10. GM Goodwrench technicians were the worst I've met even in 5 star dealerships. They tend to replace the whole system instead of trying to really fix the problem. This is an issue when the warranty is over. I'm assuming they'll save time this way (anyway you'll end up paying)
What I like with this van...
1. Ride quality is excellent, very quite and the engine/transmission is better than the odessy in terms of torque. I've test driven other makes and this van ranks #1.
2. More options for the price.
3. Gas mileage is par with V6 cars.
Will I recommend this van, NO!!!
We have had a couple of problems that the local dealer has fixed (I do not go to the dealer where I bought it). Reliability is crap shoot. My old Toyota Camry had a less than stellar record.
Like all vans, these have their quirks and trouble spots. Take all of the differnt vans out for a ride. I think you'll find nearly every other van will excel in some area over the Venture and its siblings.
However, when my wife and I did this, we found that the Venture was competent in most things and was much less expensive.
Good luck.
I do not know how this van will endure over the long haul. I am coming up on 22,000 miles which have been trouble free. A major down side is that these vans have VERY poor trade-in value, especially my Olds since there will be no more Olds after the 2004 model year. A 2003 Honda mini, costing about $26,000 new will be worth about $18,000-20,000 in trade after three years while I'll be happy with $10,000 on a van which cost $29,000+.
Overall: I am satisfied with the van. Would I buy another GM van in the future? Probably.
We will probably get another GM minivan when we are ready for a change.
You will always have people who get bad ones in anything, mine is just great.
Good Luck!
I guess this does not speak well of consistency with these minivans, which is very important with any product--whether a widget or a meal in a restaurant or a vehicle...
The Honda dealers I negotiated with are dealing. I believe Toyota has got them running scared. I'll post a price once the deal is done. Right now they are supposed to be locating the van I want. I have enough car buying experience to know it's not a deal until the ink is dry.
Phil
I am not knocking Honda or anyone's van, I just think that there are more GM mini's out there than Honda's Ody. More time to have problems and more miles driven could account for something.
Yes, I know that if you problems happen in 4 years and 60K it will make you want to look elsewhere. However, I am listening to the people who have owned Honda's cars before and now own the Ody, say, it's not the same quality as before.
For the last year the MPV owners have been gloating about how good their vans are, now that they have some miles on them the problems are raising their ugly little heads. Not so confident about their purchases now.