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Chevy Venture Engine Problems

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Comments

  • 442dude442dude Member Posts: 373
    I've never tried so I can't say for sure - it only takes a couple of minutes at most to remove the intake plumbing and the 2 cables so why take the chance of damaging something...
  • chipper1chipper1 Member Posts: 6
    Diagnostic read 'misfire cyl1' changed all plugs, wires, ignition coils. Still funky on idle, gave 3 doses + of cleaning additive, and changed air filter. next morning; 0 degrees to boiling in 3 minutes, replaced thermostat. NO Help. Now running super rough, and fluctuating between normal temp. and crazy hot to warm, Thermostat replaced by cert. mechanic. WHAT NEXT? Please help!
  • gmz1gmz1 Member Posts: 6
    i WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE AND WHAT THIS LINE LOOKS LIKE. tHE DEALER TOLD ME IT IS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. wHEN I WENT TO BY THE PART ANOTHER DEALER TOLD ME THAT IN 99% OF THOSE LEAKS ITS JUST AN O RING. sO I BOUGHT THE $20 O RING INSTEAD OF THE $100+ LINE AND WOULD LIKE SOME INFO ON WHERE TO START. i ALSO HAVE HAD OVERHEATING ISSUSES FOR A FEW MONTHS, BUT I THINK ITS JUST AIR IN THE SYSTEM BECAUSE WHEN I BLEED IT IT WORKS FINE FOR SOMETIME. cOULD MY AIR ISSUE BE COMING FROM THIS LEAK IN THE BYPASS LINE. wHAT THE ### DOES THE BYPASS LINE DO ANYWAY?lET ME GUESS BYPASS THE COOLANT, BUT FROM WHERE?
  • s10chevybobs10chevybob Member Posts: 6
    I'm not sure but I believe the bypass line is the black steel tube that runs from the top of the water pump on the left side of the engine across the front to the right side and then toward the firewall where it hooks into the heating system. There are to bleeder valves on it, one just where it comes out of the water pump on the left and another on the right side. I recently had a problem similar with air getting in the system. I could see bubbles coming out of the overflow tube into the coolant reservoir. It ended up being a head gasket. Twelve hundred bucks later it runs jsut swell.
    Good luck!
  • bluebubblesbluebubbles Member Posts: 2
    Service engine light came on oil light came on,and the temperature light came on the started idling rough and just quit while we were sitting at a stop light .It would start back but as soon as I put it in drive it would die again.So we sit for hour and half til a tow truck could tow us home .It is full of oil ,and coolent. Someone said check EGR .Where should I look first ???? :mad: :( :confuse: :sick:
  • chipper1chipper1 Member Posts: 6
  • gmz1gmz1 Member Posts: 6
    I replaced bypass line, hoses and themostat. Refilled system and now still have the same overheating issue! I see the exact same thing as you, bubbles in my overflow tank. I keep trying to get the air out of the system but it keeps coming back. I hope its not the head gasket but I guess I'll check that next. Thanks for the info. All my troubles seemed to start when I let the dealer do a coolant flush a few months ago! Should never let them touch the van!
  • herringdineherringdine Member Posts: 1
    hello i was just wondering if you got the over heating problem worked out. i have a venture as well with the same prolbem. have changed everything and flushed the coolant system but still wants to over heat. my hubby is very :mad: with this need help. thanks. email response to herringdine2000@yahoo.com
  • k00l4idk00l4id Member Posts: 10
    If it's a 2002 then there is a recall on them, the head gasket is the problem and does need to be replaced, along with the alignment pegs that keep the gasket positioned properly
  • AJGWHEELSAJGWHEELS Member Posts: 10
    CHECK OUT THE 2 small rubber hose that are connected around where the
    OIL FILTER is , those need to be replaced , just found out why I keep pouring coolant every other day , its started with a very little leak until it burst one day, i thought was the motor block , thank GOD it wasnt. AJ
  • s10chevybobs10chevybob Member Posts: 6
    OK, I had the head gasket replaced but the dealer somehow managed to not mention a recall. It is an '02 with around 116,000 miles on it. Would that not be covered for some reason?
  • k00l4idk00l4id Member Posts: 10
    Definetly Should be, Im looking for the Service Bulletin on it
  • gmz1gmz1 Member Posts: 6
    Oh please give me more info on this possible head gasket recall for the 2002 venture, you will make my Easter the best ever. All day long I have been draining air out of the system but I'm not sure that I'm getting anywhere!
  • s10chevybobs10chevybob Member Posts: 6
    If it was a TSB it probably wasn't covered on a recall. Those are just a heads up to the dealers service department so they don't spend all day trying to figure out what the problem is.
  • davet_1961davet_1961 Member Posts: 5
    Just a note to let you know I had the same problem. Had the head gasket replaced and a new water pump and now it runs perfectly...about $1200 total
  • bluebubblesbluebubbles Member Posts: 2
    Thanks but no problem there it was my oil pump and screen went bad .Hard to change but fixed the problem
  • gmz1gmz1 Member Posts: 6
    After 3 days of repairs I finally broke down and took it to the dealer for repairs. Yes I said dealer, call me crazy! But low and behold they found the problem, not easily either! It was the rad! Even with the pressure test it took many mechanics to spot the leak. So the head gaskets are ok for now, but I now know what to look for. Thanks for all the advice. I now have I brand new cooling system minus $1,000.
  • ladypladyp Member Posts: 2
    I have the same problem I will be driving slow in traffic and it will go toward the red as if it is overheating I turn on the AC to HEAT to allow it to come threw the vent's the air but it solves it for about a minute and it restarts heating up again.

    Anyone got any ideas? :mad:
  • gmz1gmz1 Member Posts: 6
    Well , it's probably air in the coolant system. The trick is to find out where it's coming from. As I previously reported a few days ago that the dealer had found my problem , bad radiator, it only lasted one night. The next day I had It towed back and then they told me it was the themostat, since I just replaced it myself two days earlier. Well now they have confirmed everyones original thought, head gaskets. So now the bill will total @ $3,500. I am fighting them since I told them it was the head gasket to begin with. No wonder GM is going under, this web site has more info on there vechicles than their Gm speacialists know! I should have listened to chevybob and just taken it to someone to get the head fixed. Thanks again! And I'm not done fighting the bill yet.
  • dbatenburgdbatenburg Member Posts: 3
    Does anyone know if the rad cooling fans have a variable temperature switch?
    Mine does not come on until the gauge is just outside of the red zone.
    Can it be over ridden?
  • poconosms1poconosms1 Member Posts: 9
    I have a high idle problem with my 2000 venture extend van; Here is some history:
    Van has had the problem with the bucking transmission. Shut the vehicle off, and then it acts fine. I know I need to have the transmission modules replaced. However, this problem has stopped for some time.
    Now the vehicle idle increases to 3k or higher. I noticed that most of the time it will idle normal when I start it, but will increase in idle when I shift into gear.
    I’ve shot W2 along the hoses to find a vacuum leak, but found nothing.
    Repair History: I did the lower intake manifold gasket myself last year and replace plugs & wires, water pump, injector o-rings, and a few other things. I’ve had the dealer replace the IAC two times.
    Because the high idle occurs when I shift it into gear, could it be the modules on the transmission?
    Any other thoughts?
  • damon88damon88 Member Posts: 1
    Admittedly, I did not browse the thousands of posts associated with the Venture but I seen enough to start second guessing my decision to buy my Venture.

    I have Cerebral Palsy and have never been able to really work on cars, so my practical knowledge of the inner-workings of a motor is limited. My wife and I had been without a car for about 6 months and with 2 small kids, this is no easy feat. We finally got in a position to buy a car and pay for it outright so after looking for about two weeks we found a 2002 Chevy Venture with 99,500 miles on it. Needless to say we spent ALL the money we had saved up to buy a car.

    So yesterday a family member drove me to look at the car and test drive it. Everything was fine and the car ran perfect, no problems. We exchange money, paperwork, etc. and I start driving home. After 35 minutes on the freeway going around 65 mph, I noticed the temp gauge starting to elevate slightly...not too bad, about 6 or 7 tenths of the way toward HOT. It wasn't until I got it off the interstate that it started going almost...almost in the red and then back down about 5/8 of the way on the gauge towards HOT. I didn't mention it to my wife because she was so excited that we FINALLY had a decent car again and could take our two small kids out...like to the park for picnics and all.

    I noticed yesterday after the wife and kids went inside that there was "dirt" or something in the coolant reservoir. I say dirt but it looked more like fragments of a film or something and it was floating on the surface. Obviously dirt wouldn't float... it's pinkish / orange, the coolant I mean. I'm not sure if it's the infamous Dexcool everyone is talking about or not.

    Anyway, I plan on checking to see if there is any fluid in the radiator in a few hours when it is sunny enough to see. I only got about 5 hours sleep and then I have been up researching the possible heating problems on this thing. I hope, at the most, it just needs flushing and possibly the intake gaskets replaced... and not any head gasket work...uugghh.

    Before I take it to a mechanic, is there possibly anything I could do...or maybe ask a friend to do?
    Thanks
  • AJGWHEELSAJGWHEELS Member Posts: 10
    FIRST of all get the HAYNES REPAIR MANUAL for this vehicle num. 38036,it will cost around $15.00 ,on this book it explain step by step the procedure when flushing and adding new coolant ( dont use the DEXCOOL ), I own a 2001 venture and went thru the same problem, OK, the gauge should be at the middle at all times , it will go up about 1/4 then it will return back to the middle, when it goes up and NOT using the A/C the fans will turn on to cool the system back to normal temp. FLUSHING: flush the system as described in the book , put in the best coolant possible , not DEXCOOL ,Ive been told by experienced mechanics at GM about the problems that causes using this. theres a procedure when filling up coolant to the system to avoid any AIR in the system , this is what causes the gauge needle to go up almost to the red zone. OPTIONS: also I suggest that replace the UPPER gasket manifold ( PLENUM) and lower exhaust manifold , theres a kit that comes both of the gaskets. If you follow the repair manual procedure , you can do it , its not that difficult if youre good with tools. let me know if you need me to send the procedure of coolant system filling. thanks hope it helps AJ
  • 442dude442dude Member Posts: 373
    Check engine light on?

    I don't think its transmission sensor related in my opinion.

    Sure sounds like it could be an air leak somewhere. I had a Check engine light that baffled me and my mechanic and after doing a little research I found that the wrong PCV valve had been installed and was the cause of the problem. A $ 5.00 part was the source of 2 weeks worth of headaches.
  • poconosms1poconosms1 Member Posts: 9
    No check light - that's the confusing part, but for $5, I think I'll stop by a dealer. I did replace it when I did the IMG job.
  • melissa18melissa18 Member Posts: 1
    I am hoping someone can help me. For some time my 2000 chevy venture was leaking water and oil and at an idle the vehicle would run extremely hot. About a month ago I brough it in and per the invoice the below was replaced :

    Intake Gasket Set
    Valve Cover Gasket Set
    Thermostat and Gasket
    Oil Filter w/ 4.5 qts oil
    Oil pump shaft o rings
    oil ring for heater hose

    Below the invoice it also states : Radiator needs to be flushed ( why the mechanic didn't do this not sure ).

    A couple weeks after getting it back the idle starting running really high ( sounded like the engine would come out from under the hood ). The service engine soon light also came on and lasted a couple of days. We were going to bring it to autozone for the code but then the light went off and has not come on since about 3 weeks now. Every once in a while I will begin to idle extremely high again. Problem is I will never know when it will do this and even while it does it the service engine light has not come back on. I just paid $700 for all the above. Does anyone have any idea why it would be doing this and what I can do to fix a problem that now seems to come and go ?

    Thanks so much !
  • chevetteloverchevettelover Member Posts: 1
    What did you look for with leak in the radiator? Was there telltale steam or something. Need help desperately,got to go out of town, car won't go around the block! :cry: Quirky situation,heater won't blow any heat. If you can, help is appreciated.
  • k00l4idk00l4id Member Posts: 10
    When the Engine is running Idle in the drive way, let it get to temperature(if it can), watch the temp guage. Once it reaches temp, use a rag or put a glove on and squeeze the upper rad hose. See if theres pressure. If there is pressure there, then it might be that your Thermostat is stuck in the closed position. In which case the throttle body assembly must be dissasembled and thermostat changed. Pretty straight forward to remove it and replace it. Make sure to get an OEM or ThirdParty Gasket for the throttle body as well. 2nd Place to look is the Heater Core. Sometimes they get obstructed and cause you to have no heat whatsoever. The heater core is on the Passenger Side firewall. Hope this points you in the right direction

    John,
    Belleville Ontario
  • AJGWHEELSAJGWHEELS Member Posts: 10
    in my situation , the leak was coming from around the OIL FILTER , theres 2 short
    rubber hose that with time it goes soft and breaks, its not that difficult to replace,
    just went to PEP BOYS and purchase about 12 " of rubber hose size 3/8, remember that theres a procedure when adding COOLANT to your vehicle , not just pour in and put the cap on
  • pepsi1310pepsi1310 Member Posts: 1
    I had the same problems
    had the troddle sensor replaced in it last year
    and it has done it a few times once again
  • laurahalauraha Member Posts: 1
    hello? i'm looking for some help out there. i just bought a car ...three days ago, after inspection, insurance and a quick trip to pick up a friend, my 2001 chevy venture is shot. First at a stoplight on my way to the insurance company it died, started right up and proceeded on, about two hours later of back and forth driving , on my way up a hill it statred to make a weird rattle sound(knocking) my friend assured me it was the motorcycle up the road yet i knew better. i finishe dgetting up this steep hill and yeap ther was a really loud knocking. my friends man came piucked us up and said it sounded like a rod or a lifter. the perrson i bought it from said ther was a new engine put in it. with warranty. is taht transferrable? who does the work, etc etc. and if not what in world is it? please help anyone? :mad: :lemon: ?
  • rattlesrattles Member Posts: 4
    I'm from england,so unfortunately I am unable to comment on your rights regarding purchase, warranty etc. However I can tell you what happened to my chevvy. the inlet manifold gaskets are a known issue with these engines. mine blew so badly it leaked coolant into one of the cylinders whilst it was running and bent the connecting rod. This made the knocking noise that sounded like your description. I could not tell if it was a lifter or a rod till i took it apart. I removed the heads and turned over the engine by hand and noticed one of the pistons was not rising to the top of the cylinder. I had to remove the engine and replace said rod. Parts cost around $1000 canadian. I presume it is a private purchase, you might be able to appeal to their better nature and get some form of return if you ask, you never know.
    If not you need a good mechanic, my engine has been fine ever since rebuild, i personally suggest repair rather than secondhand unit - better the devil you know. And it seems to be such a common fault you are likely to be purchasing more trouble. Good luck, hope this is somewhat helpful. I am tracking this thread, if I can be of further help or if you have more info dont hesitate to post
  • poconosms1poconosms1 Member Posts: 9
    I had the same problem. It's probably a vacumm leak. By process of elminiation, I started replacing the vacumm lines. In the end, the hard line from the intake boot that runs to the rear intake valve cover was the problem. It was actually loose, but I couldn't tell until I rotated the motor.

    Car's been fine ever since.
  • jtk33jtk33 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2001 chevy venture and it taps once in awhile. I was told the oil pump is causing this . can anyone tell me how to replace this?
  • gezzymangezzyman Member Posts: 4
    i recently started to get antifreeze in one of my ventures cylinders, the van never overheated, found antifreeze in the oil filter (a friend of mine told me the dexcool seperates from the oil so it doesnt get that chocolate milk appearance in the oil pan) Im not sure wether to repair the head gasket or just replace the motor....i hate to replace the gasket only to have the motor blow down the road due to antifreeze in the bearings.it has 125k miles on it and was well taken care of... Is there any way to flush the residual anifreeze out of the motor? any input or advice will GREATLY be appreciated :cry: thanks mike
  • jodyrjodyr Member Posts: 9
    I'm sorry to hear your bad luck :cry: and unfortunately I do not have an answer for you about the head gasket. But what I would recommend is to get rid of the van altogether!! I am very disappointed with mine, I only have 77k miles on mine venture and I need a new driveline. Not to mention the problems I had with my dexcooling. What we did to "help" with the overheating was mix water with it and it seemed to help, but it still gets warm. I initially took the van to the dealer for a clunking noise that you heard when you put the vehicle into or out of park and also my AWD disabled light come on. They told me it is my transmission and I told them to go to _ _ _ _!! I took it to a mechanic and he pulled up a technical service bulletin from the Mitchell Repair Information Co., LLC, which says in service, dealers are discouraged from attempting to repair driveline clunk conditions. Any how sorry to carry on, but as you can see I am very upset about my van. Good Luck
  • gezzymangezzyman Member Posts: 4
    :mad: recently started to get antifreeze in one of my ventures cylinders, the van never overheated, found antifreeze in the oil filter (a friend of mine told me the dexcool seperates from the oil so it doesnt get that chocolate milk appearance in the oil pan) Im not sure wether to repair the head gasket or just replace the motor....i hate to replace the gasket only to have the motor blow down the road due to antifreeze in the bearings.it has 125k miles on it and was well taken care of... Is there any way to flush the residual anifreeze out of the motor? any input or advice will GREATLY be appreciated thanks mike
  • fmatafmata Member Posts: 1
    Hi. I had this problem a couple of years ago with my 1996 Monte Carlo. Turned out to be the fuel pump of all things!
  • jebernabejebernabe Member Posts: 3
    Hello. I live in the phillipines. I own a 2002 venture witha a 3.0 v-6 a/t f.w.d. i'm having a problem buying spare parts from the u.s.a, seems like it's a 3.4 liter v-6 motor over there, my question is did they ever produce the 3.0 v-6 over there and what vehicle did they use the motor on? and what automatic transmission and torque converter,do i have in my venture. on the bright side most other parts are compatible with the U.S version. will be overhauling the motor asap. thank you
  • xtremeventuresxtremeventures Member Posts: 2
    I read a thread online about someone who pulled a 3.4 out of a Venture through the top. I measured it without the exhaust manifolds and there's about an inch on each side. I can lift the engine this close to the edges, but I wonder which approach is best - fastest - safest. Has anyone done a swap this way? Any tips? Thanks
  • pat_caritherspat_carithers Member Posts: 1
    Okay, my problems started when the overflow pipe (near water pump) ruptured! Yes, I purchased this van used 4 years ago. Someone pounded on the pipe, changing the serpentine belt...obviously, not much of a mechanic. Then, someone put the wrong coolant into the system. We were not using DEX; someone topped it off without checking the system or asking questions. The mixture clogged the radiator something fierce... So, we had it pressure-tested and replaced. We also changed the radiator cap, water pump, thermostat, temperature sensor, hoses, and clamps. There is no coolant in the oil. My dad, a diesel mechanic checked the manifold gaskets and pronounced them fine. But, the coolant goes into the reservoir and does not drain back into the radiator without bleeding the system first AND loosening the radiator cap.

    I love this vehicle. I had an accident with my Cavalier and I cannot drive another car. Yes, I was the only one injured and it took almost a year to recover...so, I really need to get this thing fixed! Help!
  • rattlesrattles Member Posts: 4
    I removed the engine from the top. The head gasket had blown, the antifreeze went into no 5 cyl and bent the rod. I removed the heads and pulled the motor easily without disturbing ac. It was major surgery, parts cost $1000 but the engine is sound now and better the devil you know. Also my engine was filled with antifreeze, it was in the exhaust, oil, bores - everwhere it shouldnt be. I changed the oil and filter twice, once to remove antifreeze, then after it had run for a few hours and hot. That was at 121k and am now at 175k no problems, I even have same oxy sensor. I did strip and clean the engine thoroughly before rebuilding.
  • 442dude442dude Member Posts: 373
    Hello...there was never a US spec Venture with a 3.0L V6 motor - they were all 3.4 L. There was an Oldsmobile version (previous generation minivan) with the 3.8L engine...and the previous version Lumina APV minivan had a 3.1L V6, but again, no 3.0

    The only US spec 3.0 V6 that was built up to recently (there's a new 3.0 V6 but its not related) was a 3.0L that was used in the Buick Century and the Olds Ciera as well as a couple other models (Olds Cutlass Calais was another - Buick Somerset, Pontiac Grand AM) , not in any minivans - they stopped building that motor in the mid 80s...it was replaced by the 3.3L which was a bored out version of the 3.0.

    The trans for the Venture was a 4T65E and in earlier versions (pre 2000), the 4T65 which still used a vacuum modulator - the "E" stands for electronic shift. Sounds like they might have done things differently for export to the Phillipines...
  • jebernabejebernabe Member Posts: 3
    . They have spare parts at the chevy dealer here. unfortunately it'll cost about 2000$ .parts only! hi-way robbery!!! so I might as well
    go tour china buy the parts and spend half the money, tour and all;
    to-sha to-sha 442dude. that's thank you in chinese
  • 442dude442dude Member Posts: 373
    You're welcome...enjoy the trip! :shades:
  • kyjeffry3kyjeffry3 Member Posts: 1
    :sick: ok i am sick single mom 3 kids and have spent all i can i had my van for 8 mo. no problem then it just overheated out of no where... dex cool nightmare flushed twice then was told bad water pump and thermostat lasted a day then overheated after 2 miles was told intake valve leak new gaskets thermostat agin all new hoses new serpentine belt .. new radiator cap. $1700.00 later i picked my car up lasted 2 weeks and i broke doqn 125 miles away from home again new thermostat new hoses plus the tow.. i want to cry... head gasket test fine sits at an idle ok put it in drive go 2 miles and the temp is in the red the water is boiling/bubbling fans are on and yes i turned that little thing and released the air by the water pump... hose going to the motor on the right is as hot as heck and i know a little about cars but i am sooo lost with this ... help mom of three on a bike!!!
  • AJGWHEELSAJGWHEELS Member Posts: 10
    hi MOM of three :
    this is what I did to repair my VENTURE Overheating problem,
    first I change the WATER PUMP , they have a new IMPROVED WATER PUMP design with the propellers a little bigger and in metal , the PLENUM intake & EXHAUST gaskets ( comes in a kit ) , replace 2 short hoses located around the OIL FILTER , and finally get a NEW RADIATOR , and that will take care of the problem . Im using one gallon of DEX COOL COOLANT (as specified by manufacturer ) and two gallons of DISTILLED WATER , not regular water cause it contains clorox and could damage engine cause its made of aluminum . Since you havent mentioned replacing the RADIATOR , I think it should be considered to do so . let me know so I can help you out . ALBERT JULIAN
  • xtremeventuresxtremeventures Member Posts: 2
    thanks for the info. So far, so good. I hope the new engine is as good as the old one. It held up for 230,000km. The only real problem I've had with the car has been vaporlocking in hot weather. If I remove and reinstall the gas cap, it starts. It's only done it a few times. Quirks? Gremlins? Time to buy a new gas cap.
  • 1969chevelless1969chevelless Member Posts: 1
    sounds like the same problem with my 1998 venture. The fix was changing out a $30.00 part. This part is on the left side and called TDC fire that sits on the cam shaft.

    Hope this helps
  • misfire1misfire1 Member Posts: 1
    My 2000 venture with 130k miles starts and idles great but misfires when I need power,SES light then comes on, fuel filter has been changed. Have new head gasket and coolant,
    Could fuel pump be bad?can it be tested?
    Will a diagnostic machine tell me which cylinder is misfiring?
    Should I switch injectors around?
    Mechanics can't find my problem
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