GM to handle widespread intake manifold gasket problem on case-by-case basis
CTV reports that some General Motors vehicles may have a serious defect which could lead to total engine failure.
The issue is the intake manifold gasket in some GM vehicles. According to CTV, the part may degrade in vehicles
built between 1995 and 2003. In worst-case scenarios, the gasket is failing, introducing coolant to engine oil,
rendering the latter ineffective and resulting in siezed engines. Affected vehicles include the Chevrolet Monte Carlo,
Pontiac Grand Prix and Aztek, and several Oldsmobiles. Service bulletins obtained by the news source indicate the
automaker has been aware of the problem for years. However, GM currently does not have a recall on these
vehicles, since degradation can have a variety of causes.
An online petition asking GM to issue a voluntary recall has collected some 11,000 signatures.
A
full-listing of affected vehicles can be found at the link.
GM has since come out with a new, redesigned intake manifold gasket for its newest vehicles.
(Thanks to
everyone for the tips!)
[Source: CTV.ca]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Mike 8:28PM (4/15/2006)
All I can say is that it's about time. It's a shame they let it go on for 8 years. How many people have had to pay to have it fixed?
Reply
Norm 11:35AM (2/07/2008)
i did an intake gasket on our 96 pont transport in 2003 and now on our 2001 olds silouhete in jan 2008
Stoneman 8:40PM (4/15/2006)
"Voluntary goodwill recall"
Come on. It's an abvious defect. Thankfully my car is not in the list. Strike one more reason I won't be buying another GM car in the future.
Stoneman from
Stonemanautoreviews dot com
Reply
Scott 9:04PM (4/15/2006)
If you're going to avoid a brand completely due to a recall that doesn't even affect a model you own, then make sure you add Lexus and Toyota to that list as well, since they seem to meet your very loose requirement for total dismissal:
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/13/lexus-recalls-57-000-cars-worldwide/
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/05/toyota-recalling-76k-minivans-in-japan/
Reply
Mike 9:06PM (4/15/2006)
"If you're going to avoid a brand completely due to a recall that doesn't even affect a model you own, then make sure you add Lexus and Toyota to that list as well, since they seem to meet your very loose requirement for total dismissal:"
Toyota and Lexus didn't let it go on for 8 years before they decided to correct it on a case-by-case basis.
Reply
Samuel C Clugston 9:10PM (4/15/2006)
I bought a 1998 Chevrolet Silverodo. Right from the start the windshield wiper system stopped working, and
that happened durring a heavy rain storm. Fortunately
we didn't have a accident. Shortly after that the intake maniflod developed a leak and a loss of fluids
began. I expected a recall to take place on both problems but none has taken place so far. I,like so many others will never buy another GM vehical because of the high prices GM is asking for junk they sell.
Reply
Talis 9:37PM (4/15/2006)
THIS HAPPENED TO MY 1994 PONTIAC GRAND AM!!!!! I HAD TO BUY A NEW CAR BECUASE OF THIS VERY PROBLEM!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Greg 9:40PM (4/15/2006)
To Late for me, last summer I spent $900 to have this problem corrected on my wife's 97 Monte equipped with the 3.1
Funny, every mechanic I spoke with regarding the problem up and after all say 'oh those engines are known for that'.
My mothers '93 Lumina with a 3.1 also had the problem, and wound up having to have it done years ago also.
The little guilt I have had left inside with my wife and I driving around in our Hyundai Santa Fe has just exited my system.
Reply
Leo 9:53PM (4/15/2006)
IT'S TOYOTA'S FAULT!!!!!
C'mon "America Love it or Leave it" flag wavers - let's hear the excuse this time. LOL
Reply
Jim P. 10:00PM (4/15/2006)
like the 3.8 from 1992-2003 engine coolant leak near or under the throttle body area of the upper intake manifold. See what happens when the bean counters take control? Higher warranty costs, angry customers, and lower quality.
Reply
far jr 10:02PM (4/15/2006)
#4 Mike
How easily some people forget (or are not aware) that Toyota recalled nearly 1 MILLION light trucks due to defects in the steering. They were built between 1989 and 1996 (seven years by my calculations). Oh yeah, and the didn't recall them until 2005. Tell me the weren't aware of that one.
http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0509/08/C01-307688.htm
Lest we forget Toyota engine sludge... where they blame all of thier owners for engine sludge causing blown engines. Even when they have all of the maintenance reciepts.
All manufacturers will look out for "number one" if they can. Look at the trouble Mitsubishi had at home due to cover-ups.
GM should be forced to replace every single one. Forget this case by case garbage.
All with thier attitude of "Toyota is better than GM because they don't have ANY problems...EVER" just need to do a little more research. Toyota has a better quality reputation than GM, but they are NOT perfect by any means.
Reply
LarryM 11:30PM (2/28/2008)
I've just now experienced this problem with my 2000 blazer. I am losing coolant. I can't tell if it's seeping out from the intake manifold gaskets or going into the crankcase, but I suspect both from the evidence. I also have seen the sludge build up on the inside of my radiator cap.
Rastus 10:05PM (4/15/2006)
Funny...how "Widespread" and "case-by-case basis" are uttered in the same breath.
If it is SO WIDESPREAD...why not issue a WIDESPREAD RECALL?
Oh, wait, I forgot, this is the NEW GM!!!!
Now about those piston-slapping V-8s!!!!!!
Loosers and white trash deserve each other. But in this case, it's hard to tell who is who (GM or white trash) because we are talking one and the same thing.
...and you wonder why GM lost $10,600,000,000 dollars in 1995. Loosers.
Reply
That One Person 10:06PM (4/15/2006)
That sucks. This happened to a couple of people I know. One was a 93 Buick Regal with the 3.8 and a 93 Park Avenue with a 3.8. It may be a totally different thing but I am worried about my car now (94 Buick Regal with a 3.8. I may just take it to the nearest garage and have them take a look at it. I would rather pay a hundred bucks or whatever for a gasket than pay a few thousand for a new car.
Reply
Gardiner Westbound 10:08PM (4/15/2006)
The intake manifold gasket in our 1996 Lumina minivan failed weeks after the warranty expired. GM wouldn't extend consideration to a 20-year customer.
Fortunately we caught it before the engine was damaged. The GM dealer wanted $1,300 for the repair. It cost $950 at an independent garage. The garage said they were doing about five of them a month.
When it came time to buy a new car I looked at Japanese cars only, and bought an Acura. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
Reply
Now a BMW customer 10:42PM (4/15/2006)
Twice burned on Grand Prixs they lost my business to BMW. It's things like this that lead to consumer defections.
Reply
Edward McBride 11:24PM (4/15/2006)
I own a 2002 Buick Park, and have had Intake leak problems. The Buick dealer where I bought the vehicle found the leak during routine oil change. Since then, the Buick has been back again for the same leak. The dealer states this is not a GM fault, thus I pay almost five hundred dollars out of my pocket.
Reply
Hoosierplew 11:45PM (4/15/2006)
Same thing happened to my '97 Grand Prix. I ordered a replacement part online and did the work myself. Cost me a little less than $300 for everything if I remember correctly (did it last year).
I signed the online petition, GM really screwed its customers in this instance.
Reply
JR 12:08AM (4/16/2006)
11. Funny...how "Widespread" and "case-by-case basis" are uttered in the same breath.
If it is SO WIDESPREAD...why not issue a WIDESPREAD RECALL?
Oh, wait, I forgot, this is the NEW GM!!!!
Now about those piston-slapping V-8s!!!!!!
Loosers and white trash deserve each other. But in this case, it's hard to tell who is who (GM or white trash) because we are talking one and the same thing.
...and you wonder why GM lost $10,600,000,000 dollars in 1995. Loosers.
Posted at 10:05PM on Apr 15th 2006 by Ratsass
---------
Trash boy - you forgot to mention that TOY ota just this last year had to cut 1 BILLION from their costs or they would be in the dumper.
Reply
Erich 1:07AM (4/16/2006)
I remember there being a recall for this problem in my 02 Grand Prix with the 3.8L. In fact, even after I had it in for the gasket recall, whenever I'd take the vehicle in for a oil change at the dealer, they always checked that gasket as a routine.
Reply