By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Next, do you have a check engine light. A bad O2 sensor will give you poor mileage, as well as many other faulty emission components.
There are many other possibles, is tranny shifting into overdrive. Easy to see if you have a tach. If not check tranny fluid level.
If you always use the same brand of gas you may want to try a different one as well.
I really like this vehicle and expect to keep it forever. I think though, that I will pick up an extended warranty for this vehicle when it nears the end of the 3/36,000 warranty. Everything looks to be a major pain to get to under the hood. I changed the air filter just for the fun of it after reading a prior post. Wasn't too bad after unplugging some wires and taking the hose off between the filter box and the intake manifold. Hardest part was getting the lids' (three/four?) tabs back into the holes in the box after inserting the new filter. The new gasket material was hard to compress and resisted getting the tabs into the holes even though it seemed identical to the original. If it goes too easy, assume that the tabs did not go into the holes and that there will be an unfiltered air leak.
I alwyas use 87 octane, primarily Citgo or Exxon.
As for the intake manifold gasket, the '99 started leaking around 20k miles and was replaced before we traded it. The '02 seems to be ok for now, but I have a Warranty Gold policy just in case.
The '02 has started to collect a heavy film of oil on the bottom of the oil pan similar to the '99. We had several different repairs to the '99 to try and stop it, but was never successful. Dealer said it was normal, and the '02 is doing the same. Doesn't seem normal, but not worth fighting GM again on this problem.
Last trip readout showed as high as 25.9mpg, but can vary whether in cruise or foot on the pedal.
Local around town is around 19 mpg typically stop start driving.
I also make a point to change oil every 3000 and new Delco filter. I have used Exxon 5-30, but got Shell last time at AutoZone. Just as efficient, but tried Castrol GTX and van did not perform as well. Tires should be at the 35 psi all round for optimum performance. Generally go down in cold weather.
So far it has operated normally, after engine started flashes seven times and goes out.
I have now found that if I stop the van with the engine running in Park and open the power operated door. Upon closing the door, the airbag warning light comes on. Usually I turn off the engine and restart, which re sets the whole procedure.
BTW, this is day 8 since using "magic pills" on the coolant leak. Not a drop in that time.
Steve, Host
Thanks.
If you cull thru the Venture and Montana boards there, you may find an answer.
Ryles
Good luck -
Tomek
thanks,
Check the used Silhouette prices here on Edmunds or go to kbb.com. Those prices should give you a good baseline. Remember too that used Silhouettes do not hold their value. This is do for several reasons including the end of the Olds brand next year, the poor repair record of earlier models plus the poor crash test results from the IIHS.
I own an '03 Silhouette since mid-October. So far, so good. It is a comfortable and luxurious van.
The front passenger side heated seat didn't work, still under warranty, dealer replaced the cushion heating element (1.7 hours labor + $45 for the heater).
The "Service Traction System" warning light on, with the "ABS" and the "Track Off" lights on. This was the left from wheel sensor extension hardness connector had a bent terminal. Dealer replaced the damaged connector (.5 hour labor, $0.00 for part, under warranty)
The passenger power sliding door sometime caused the doom lights on while driving. Dealer couldn't duplicate the problem, cleaned the door plunger contacts. No charges.
Also took a total 2500 miles trip with the Silo during the Christmas, enjoy the van very much, and the video sure made the trip seemed short.
The vans are not rocket ships but come on, you're you're talking a heck of load. esp. if they are fat (LOL). Not that there's anything wrong with that...
DD
An acquaintance of mine recently got a full size '03 ford van with the 6.8 L V-10....try 305 h.p.in those mountains! mpg isn't as bad as you might think although still atrocious compared to the 20 - 25+ I'm getting in the silhouette
Had a heavy oil film on the left side and bottom of the oil pan that kept coming back after wiping it clean. Had the same problem on my old '99 Montana and they never got it fixed. On the '99 they replaced the rear main seal and oil pan & gasket, but could not stop the problem. They told me it was normal and after 8 or 9 attempts to fix it and complaining to the GM Area Manager, I gave up. It started on the '02 before my first oil change at 4k miles. Decided to have the dealer look at it while he was fixing the radio, since it was a different dealer than what I used to service my old '99 Montana. They kept the van all day today and fixed the lower intake manifold gasket. They said they could see the oil leak from the gasket and it was running down to the pan. I was very surprised, but glad to have it fixed while under warranty. I had the intake manifold gasket replaced on my '99 because it was leaking coolant down the side of the engine block. It started around 20k miles and I got it fixed around 75k miles, never got that bad, but had the 100k GM warranty. I was not aware that the failed intake manifold gasket could allow oil to leak also. I has been watching my coolant level and bought an extended warranty because I expected it to fail sometime on the '02 van, just not this soon. I talked with the service advisor about the problem and explained that my '99 had the same problem. He said that all the 3.1L and 3.4L engines have the problem. I asked if the gasket had been improved on the '03 models, but he was not aware of any changes. He said that once the gasket is replaced, it rarely leaks again. He said the leak occurs at an area where 3 different type of gaskets join. I would check my van before it goes out of warranty because this is an expensive repair.
The front valve cover looked like it was also leaking and was fixed while they repaired the intake manifold gasket.
The black plastic trim pieces on the outside of the captain seats in the middle row were broke on both seats. The plastic is thin and the screw pulled thru. We have the leather seats. You can see this piece when you open the sliding doors. It is held on by the lever that tilts the seat back and this screw that pulled thru. Seems to be a bad design and will probably happen again.
Overall we have been much happier with this van over the '99. We had several problems with the '99. This new van has the DVD player which it great for the kids. The only problem is we never get to listen to the radio anymore. I have also noticed that the '99 got better gas mileage than the '02. I have mentioned this in previous postings.
JPC47, hopefully I can find a cheap shop doing good work like that when the time comes, and I belive it will come eventually. I can smell the coolant leaking, but never see any. I'm going to try the GM leak stopper tablets when I change the coolant.
DD
Ryles
I found Philips the best ones, but I also raised the headlights up to get a longer beam. Do it on a levle surface - in side garage against the rear wall. The headlamp units have a built in adjuster.
How are other people doing with these tires or is there anything else come along since that people are happy with in terms of ride and endurance.
As I understand it, if they make a tire that truly has a REALLY long life, the materials are such that there is some compromise with grip & ride quality.
I think there's a tire discussion or two in "maint/repair"
A couple of minor problems: hatch handle broke, loose bracket in the back end, small rubber door stop stop fell off and slider needed adjustment. All fixed under warranty.
Also need to Armor All drivers door gaskets every few months to stop a squeak. And I do hear an occasional whine shortly after starting up while rolling along. When I start to accellerate it goes away. Dealer said it was normal alternator sound.
Gas milage 26 on the highway at 65-70 mph with 5 people and stuff. 20 to 22 kicking around town.
3.4 engine has enough power even when pulling our small boat.
Overall good vehicle - not great. However it is a great value for an 8 passenger van with good gas milage.