1998 Pontiac Trans Sport SE from North America - Comments

Faulty intake manifold gasket diagnosed without asking, apparently will leak coolant into the engine.

If you own a GM vehicle with this

type of engine, you will someday have

a problem with the intake manifold gasket, which will threaten to leak

coolant into the engine. Apparently

the Dex-cool that is specifically

recommended for the engine has a very quick corrosive effect on the engine.

We took this van in for an Air Bag dash

light staying on and, without specifically requesting it, the dealer

mechanics noted that this gasket needs to be replaced... as if they were looking for it, knowing it was a common problem on this engine. There are numerous complaints on the net regarding this problem with these engines. We will never buy a GM again..period.

1997 Pontiac Trans Sport - The check engine soon light came on. When I took the van for servicing, the intake manifold gasket was diagnosed as leaking coolant into the engine. After checking the internet, I find this is a common problem. My vehicle only has 67000 miles on it. The $700.00 repair cost is extreme. I feel General Motors needs to do a recall repair and reimburse the owners who have already paid for this common repair.

I purchased a 1996 Chevy Lumina (USED) with 94000 miles on it about a month ago. About 2 weeks after I got the car, the "service engine soon" light came on. When I added higher grade of fuel the next day, the light went off. About a week ago, the car overheated, and I noted the lack of coolant in the reservoir. I bought a gallon of DEX-COOL and mixed according to directions and added to the vehicle. After doing this, it started literally "drinking" the coolant. After having the vehicle checked out, it was diagnosed with having a blown "intake gasket". If this is a known problem, I believe that potential buyers need to be forewarned of possible future problems.

1998 Transport - Low coolant light came on at 82,500 miles. The Dex-Cool coolant was leaking into the oil line. Gaskets were replaced. At approximately 87,000, my van broke down on an interstate while I was out of town. I had the van towed three hours back home. The engine had to be replaced. Something needs to be done! I'll never buy another General Motors vehicle!

I have a 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport with 56187 miles on it and recently have noticed the temp gauge amping over the 210 mark. With this and the excessive amount of oil that I go through considered I think it might be related to the described complaint. I have been researching recalls and complaint's regarding these vans and have found numerous complaint's regarding the manifold gasket and coolant in the oil. I did in fact find a service bulletin # 03-06-01-010 that was distributed in March,2003 to the dealership's from General Motors. The subject: Engine Oil or Coolant Leak (Install new intake manifold gasket. This bulletin can be found at www.nhtsa.dot.gov. It states that some owners may comment on apparent oil or coolant leak as well as spots on driveway to having to add fluids. And I noticed also on this bulletin under the correction note's instruction's to install new design intake manifold gasket. It continues on to say that the gasket has been changed in order to improve the sealing qualities of the gasket. Thought that you would find this interesting.

Lori. pillbry@hotmail.com.

I have a 2000 Pontiac Montana with 62,000 miles. During recent service for misfiring, the dealer noted a Coolant Leak from the Lower Intake. They assured me that this was not an urgent problem, but could cause engine damage. I have declined the more than $700 in repairs for now, but what choice do I have? I will probably have it done prior to a 2000 mile vacation this summer.

We purchased a 1998 Trans sport Van and at 139,000K the engine light started coming on with the temperature gauge going to the highest. I took the vehicle in for service & was told that the engine coolent was leaking into the oil from the manifold gasket. With further inspection they said that the block was cracked because of this and in the end we had to purchase a new engine. $3500.00 Canadian + labour (18 hours) totaling $5700.00. Not being under warranty, we had to pay this. What also frustrates me about this is finding out a neighbour (they own a 99, 110K) had to do the same as us just 2 months earlier (AND ALSO) viewing these comments on this site and another site that this is a well known issue & nothing is being done about it.

7/20/04.

I have a 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport and had to replace the engine and rebuild the transmission at 194,000 miles. Prior to this I had continual problems with oil and sludge in the coolant system, which seems to be the opposite of the problems stated here about coolant leaking into the oil. The Dex-Cool was replaced with the green coolant and the system flushed four times. All hoses were replaced. Pressure checks turned out normal. My new engine is just shy of 50,000 miles, and to my surprise just went through two quarts of oil in 2000 miles. Now I again see that the coolant reservoir is contaminated with engine oil. It is going in the shop tomorrow. I see conflicting answers as I research what the problem may be. Does anyone have any ideas?