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I have since then mixed my DEXCOOL with Anti LEak product for Radiators to prevent further leaka and deteriation. IT is at 290K Km and going strong today. By the way, I do not take my VAN to GM Dealers anymore. I do all my maintenance including Oil, Brakes and Transmission Fluid Filter.
shuttlecraft
Could this have happened because of the manifold gasket job? (Read: could I get the dealership to fix it for free) Or is this just a coincidence?
If it's a coincidence, anyone know how much the repair will cost?
I've owned my 99 Montana since new... as reliable as any vehicle ... very little problems... my sisters Honda cost her more in one year in maint than my Montana did in the first 5 years. You are taking chances when buying used cars... it all depends on how they took care of it.. it's hard to know.
Now if I can just talk her into a few upgrades......
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Noticed that the Driver's Side brake light wasn't working, so removed the L/R lamp assembly. 3057 bulb was melted at the base - managed to removed melted / burnt bulb, and replaced it. Everything is back to normal now.
Any help would be appreciated.
I'm dealing with a 4 and 5 year old, and my wife, who are all disappointed that the power door no longer works. You married guys can understand what I'm going through. HELP!
my mother has a 99 Pontiac Montana That has almost 90,000 Miles on it and has had electrical problems for a long time but no motor problems. until now. she was driving,and all the sudden all dash lights came on at once and the van jerked and i pulled over,shut it off, turned it back on, and it just shook. so i shut it off again, had it towed to a mechanic who was supposed to be one of the best.
He now has had it a little over 2 and a half months, and cant figure out whats wrong. he has tried everything he can think of, ask everyone he knows, and even spent his day off at a nascar race asking everyone he could about it. Now its no longer a job, its an obsession. he has paid all the labor to the other mechanics,isnt charging for any parts except for the 2 injectors he first thought it was and is working alone on it night and day. :sick: :mad:
and as to the guy who posted above. our quit working soon after they put the "saftey recall" on it....figures...if u hear anything..pass it on please!..thanks
If anyone has any suggestions or needs more details feel free to email me at coolio13576@hotmail.com
or reply on here. ANYTHING WOULD BE APPRICIATED!!! :confuse: i need anything anyone can think of..
Thank you,
Michael
I own a 2003 Montana with 57 000kms (what a piece of crap) let me explain the problems I had with this van.
1. Filter cracked inside the transmission
2. Catalytic converter shielding came apart
3. Left and right ball joints had to be replaced
4. Intake gasket had to replaced at 48 000kms
5. Wiper motor has to be replaced
6. Right side power window motor needs to be replaced
7. Rear brake cylinders had to replace because they seized and leaked at 41 000kms
Now I still have 1 year to go on my lease with no warranty. What’s next!!!!!!!
http://www.apa.ca/template.asp?DocID=115#GMV6
I am not too impressed by my vehicle and my entire family is no longer keen on GM quality.
I own a 2000 Montana, like it - but not reliable enough for me. It will be sold. I had the manifold gasket go (the really classy GM dealer paid all in 2005), the rear hub ABS sensor ($500), the rear wiper motor x2 ($300 x 2) and all kinds of trips to service the power door of course. I am the daughter of a mechanic and it has been extremely well maintained. I also own a 1988 Mazda MX 6 5 speed which has had no issues until 2006 (new rad).
Regarding GM products....
My sisters 2003 Rendevous (all 4 wheel bearings, rear window wiper, 2 power windows)
My parents Buick Century 2000 - (yes the manifold gasket, power window problems, engine service light on always, trunck release broke).
Suffice it to say, here are the recent family purchases....
Me - Infinity FX 35 crossover
Sister - Mazda 3
Parents - Lexus
Enough said. Oh yes, all 3 of us have GM VISA cards - we all had over $3,500 of cash for the purchase of a GM vehicle and we all said NO.
NascarQueen24
Turns out, the coolant had contaminated the oil (oil was also in the coolant) causing the lifters to collapse, and the engine to run on about 4 cylinders. Got it to the mechanic who replaced the head gaskets. Also had to replace the O2 sensor because it had gotten crapped up with all the coolant the engine was trying to burn.
You said your van needed coolant last time it was checked - coolant can only escape the engine in 2 ways: it leaks out, either onto the ground or into your oil supply, or it gets sucked into the combustion chambers and burned.
I wouldn't call myself an expert, but I would suggest taking your van to another mechanic... FAST.
Thanks again for your reply!!
Three months after the new motor was installed the car is again back in the garage since it continually fails to re-start if shut off only for a few minutes (e.g. to fill up the tank) while the engine hot. Mechanic says it may be the gas pump which like everything else doesn't come cheap. Anyone else experience this same problem? Would love to trade but am still paying for it!
I spoke to a mechanic and he said to have the computer checked out. It is now back in the shop and I am waiting for word on it. Can anyone relate to this or offer some sound advice? It would be very much appreciated.
Thank you
No other codes have ever shown up.
Before investing in replacement catalytic converter, just wanted to see if anyone else had similar situation and it turned out to be something different.
All inputs appreciated.
Fryman
We only have 141,000 KM's on the van. What made me made was the engine light was on and when I took it into the dealer and explained to them that we were losing power at 100 Km/h and the vehicle would not go over 3500 rpm they just changed the spark plugs and wires indicating that was the problem. It took three provinces and three different Pontiac dealers and $2500 to realize what the problem was.
Other than that we have had very little problem with the van having purchased it from new.
Try to have it fixed before other mechanical thing start to happen. If you are not ever going to sell it....have it taken out.
Good luck!
1. Remove the under-dash panel on the passenger side
2. Remove the blower motor (this allows easier access to the resistor assembly)
3. Disconnect plug from blower motor assembly, and disconnect plug from blower motor resistor assembly
4. Remove resistor assembly screw closest to you, and undo 2 screws closest to firewall (it is not necessary to remove these, as the resistor assembly has slots, not holes, for these screws to pass through. This allows you to tilt the closest edge of the resistor assembly downwards and remove the resistor assembly.
5. Install the new resistor assembly, and reverse the above steps.
*screws have 6mm hex head - I used a socket and small ratchet (1/4 drive) to do the job - it worked well.
I bought 3 new vehicle with this engine.. two Rendezvous and a Montana.. the Montana is 8 years old.. looks and runs like new... have not put one red cent into this van.. and yes it has it's original exhaust and no rust... unlike all the over rated Japanese vehicles in the parking lot.
The Rendezvous 3.4 is the smoothest most quiet engine made.
It has to be... you cannot hear it or feel the engine when running... and I get 28mpg on the road and 23 going to work here in Pa that's pretty good for a vehicle of its size and weight.
I am a longtime reader but I haven't posted for while. Busy moving and such. Usually posted in the triplets forum.
I beg to differ about the 3.4, in my humble opinion it is only good for a boat anchor. Let me give you a brief update about our 2000 Montana van w/61000 miles on her now:
1.Piston slap returned 300 miles after new coated pistons were installed as a supposed corrective measure and continues to irritate me to no end.
2. The van has very little low end torque, with AC on it will not climb up much of hill with out sifting down which in turn hurts your gas mileage.
3. Our mileage in suburban driving is around 17 and the best I have ever recorded in highway driving is 22 mpg.
Far cry from the advertised 26 mpg.
4. Just replaced passenger side headlight which was sloshing with water. Around $100 aftermarket unit.
Again very common in the triplet vans.
5. Both brake wheel cylinders were leaking and the brake dust causing the emergency brake not to release until you put some pressure against it. Not normal wear and tear at 60K.
6. Both rear shocks are leaking fluid to a point where they dripping. I remember reading in this forum Monroe makes a direct replacement for the air shocks?
7. Battery positive post corrodes like I have never seen.
The van would not start on my wife the other day so I investigated and found severe corrosion at the post.
8. Air bag light comes and goes at will. Been lucky lately and it has not come on.
9. Catalytic converter cracked near rear attachment flange.
I checked in the owner's manual and thought it would be covered under the emissions warranty but no such luck. Dealer indicated the converter would have fail to internally for GM to cover the cost.
Dealer's service manager told me to have it welded at muffler shop, now there is Mr. Goodwrench for you!
10. Let's not forget the intake gasket issues and the breaking cams on the 3.4L.
Any comments Dirk or n7don long time posters?
Have a good weekend,
slappervan