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Does your fans come on because mine's don't. some times they turn on but on low speed. i had to unplug the thermostat sensor and the fans come on on high speed. the draw back is the check engine light comes on. I think its an electrical problem that need to be check. I plan to bypass this problem by having the fans stay on when the car starts. Oh you said that you change the thermostat. you need to bleed the system when the car is hot so it can push out the air thats in the system. good luck.
Frankly a 1998 Venture (I have one) may not be worth that much money to repair. I ended up replacing my engine with used one out of a 2000 Venture. I understand the LA1 3.4 engine block (see wikipedia) is the same all the way thru 2004. I had to reuse almost all the old parts on my 1998 such as intakes, exhaust, fuel rail and throttle body. The basic block is the same, but the emissions standards are different so all the old sensors have to be reused since the engine computer is set for 1998 emissions. Really hurt to have to throw away all the newer parts. I will say this, when you get the engine running, it is great. I get 19-22 mpg and the comfort is fantastic. Use mine like a pickup truck. The transmission in mine is original and runs as good as the day it was built.
Flush/cleaned radiator/coolant changed thermostat. NOT loosing coolant in fact, coolant has seemed to back up into resivor. Coolant was at recommend level. checked today to bleed system (no Heat) hose to thermostat is getting hot. Was going to do water pump and drive belt because of squeak and 114k on van.
I was going to try heater core. but I understand there is one by engine and one in dash of cabin. what one do i do first. I have flushed coolant system every year the past 3 years.
so could that be a radiator issue if it is backing up not heater core. had all kinds of issues with air when van was new now it seems heating issues. I know I need new vehilcal but I want to try and get heat in van for winter. any ideas.
I am really interest in your solution , I have 3 Cars of 2002 and 2003 Chevy venture ,
2 of them are always creating air inside I can even hear the sound of the water bubbling when I press Gas with a weak rear heat or sometimes without heat if the car stopped without pushing gas( Same for the front heat), the third car 2003 is perfect with no air in the system at all .
I spent around 300 $ till no by changing the heat sensor and the cluster and thermostat twice and water pump. with no use . I even went to ACE stores like you adviced but I couldn't find the auto bleeding 78 part . Can you please advice me If your van still running good after you install auto bleeder ??. Please reply my my e-mail address is mohrnb@yahoo.com .
Sincerely
My question is how long you used Maid-0-Mista(uto-Vent No.78) and did it works good I found one online for 26$ check this website:-
http://dekkasupply.com/stores/maidomist/78.html
Shall I buy it and install it ,please advise.
will try this again new to this site and some how lost first message was posting .. so if it shows up twice my apologies.
I wanted to know what other year of ventures or montanas my 2001 3.4 motor and transmisson will swap into. or just the motor if it fits the other transmissons of other yrs.
thank you for any information I can get on this .
Brad
LA1 [taken from Wikipedia]
The LA1 3400 ("E-code") was a bored-out version of the 3100. It retained the OHV layout of the previous engine, and was first utilized on the 1996 U platform minivans. Output for the 3400 is 180 hp (134 kW) and 205 lb·ft (278 N·m).
Applications:
1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV
1997-2005 Chevrolet Venture
1996-2004 Oldsmobile Silhouette
1996-1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
1999-2005 Pontiac Montana
1999-2005 Oldsmobile Alero
1999-2005 Pontiac Grand Am
2000-2005 Chevrolet Impala
2000-2005 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek
2002-2005 Buick Rendezvous
Sincerely
kcram - Pickups/Wagons/Vans+Minivans Host
I'm having the exact same issue with a 2002 Chevy Venture, seems like there is this steam pressure buildup in the cooling system that prevents the water pump from moving coolant through the cooling system. I tried installing the maid-o-mist #78 with great expectations but nothing! It did not vent any steam at all, and the van is exhibiting the exact same problems. I need help! I just need something that will vent steam and not allow coolant to exit, a sort of purge system. The van runs fine when you purge the steam, the temp stays normal and the heat works, but as soon as the steam builds up it goes wonky again. Help!!!
Thanks
I was hoping you can clarify something for me.
You indicated that you installed a 2000 Venture engine in your 1998 Venture.
But then you say:
“In the case of the transmission, the same transmission was used in the 1997-98, but it changed in 1999 and I do not think you can interchange a 99 into a 97-98.”
So I am a little confused. If the transmissions are different then how did you install a 2000 into a 98?
Also is it possible for you to indicate what specifically makes them incompatible with the different transmission? If it is just a matter of the lower end of the engine having a different connection to the tranny and is it possible to use the 98’s during the rebuild?
I thank you ahead of time for any help you can offer!
-Ben021681
Since the discussion centers on transmissions I do not have any experience with the newer 4T65E trans. My old 4T60 E is absolutely flawless and shifts like the day it was installed at the factory. I have 176,000 miles on it and it runs circles around the two Fords (F150/Lincoln) my family runs. Those are somewhat clunky on shifting and both those vehicles have had transmissions rebuilt. The F150 at 62k and the Lincoln at 100k. Ford does not know how to build a transmission, but their engines last. In the case of GM the engines seem to be like Ford transmissions. So in the end there are both about the same.
This leaves me with one last question:
When I go to buy the master rebuild kit do I get one for a 98 or a 2000 engine?
I found a large price difference between the two.
My first thought is to get a 98 kit as you noted all the old parts from your 98 had to be used on the 2000 block.
Is this correct?
Thank you again!