1996 Pontiac Transport Intake Manifold Gasket

[sdavi86]

If any of you have a similiar problem please contact the address below. This is the only way to get a recall of the problem. You will need to provide them with the vin #.


G. Richard Wagoner, Jr
President, CEO, Director
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI 48265

Mr. Wagoner,

I am writing you this letter in hopes that you can resolve a situation for me. I bought a 1996 Pontiac Transport on March 1, 2003 from Liberty Auto Plaza in Libertyville, Illinois. I have to say, I have always bought GM cars and was excited that this vehicle is in such great condition. The Transport had 43,201 miles on it and the condition of the van appeared to be in great condition for being in the Midwest weather conditions that we have. But to my surprise something major went wrong.

Two weeks after the purchase I noticed that my coolant levels were going down. I looked for leaks and there appeared to be none. I was under the assumption that when I bought the car they did not fill the fluids. I refilled the radiator and overflow but much to my surprise the next day they were empty. I know a lot about cars and I immediately looked in the oil. Sure enough my radiator fluid was going into the engine (Cracked Manifold Gasket). I had the car towed back to the dealer and they confirmed the problem. I then had it towed to an Engine specialist to have it repaired.

I have done a lot of research and it has come to my attention that this is a problem since the 1994 Transports were released. From my understanding this should be classified as a recall. I have talked to Pontiac dealerships in my area and they agree with me that this is a problem and it should be a recall. They see so many of these vans come in with the same thing I have.

As you can see by the bill of sale, I paid cash for the Transport. When this defect of the manifold gasket revealed itself I was in shock. I just put a lot of money down for the vehicle and now I have to spend some more to get it fixed. I could not afford to rent a car so I had to borrow my mother in-laws car. I had to take 2 days off of work just to clear up loose ends with the van. (Make sure it was dropped off and pick it up). This was very aggravating and upsetting. I did not have my vehicle till March 26th, 2003, that is almost 2 weeks. None of this would have happened if a recall had put through to fix the problem in the first place.

What I am asking is if you could reimburse me the total amount of damages I incurred. I have included all my repair receipts and documentation of where I bought the car. The total that I am requesting is $622.00. I have talked to dealerships in my area and they are charging $1200.00 to $1500.00 for the same work I had done.

[Scott 02]

big problem huh? This is the first.

[sdavi86]

Since I have had this problem I have had over 50 response's back thanking me for the information. I have posted the same information on other sites as well. I am hoping to get more so I can make this a recall so no one else has to go through this big problem.

[Regin8r]

My father has 1998 Trans Sport just diagnosed with that problem. Oil is leaking into coolant, not coolant into oil though.

Mechanic says get Duralube to protect the bearings.

Does that address apply if we are in Canada?

Reg

[Flatrater]

Recalls are for defects that can injury or kill someone!! I don't see a cracked gasket killing someone!!

I wish you luck in your quest since I own a 96 Transport but I am not holding my breath. This problem is not just on Transports it is on any car with the 3.1L. and 3.4L engines. The 3.8L engine has a different problem.

You wrote a good letter but you failed to mention something!! You stated you got the van 2 weeks prior to finding this problem, yet you blame GM for it. What about the car lot that sold it to you? Did you ask them for some assistance? Maybe they knew about the problem and tried to sugar coat it and put all the blame on GM maybe some of the blame or all the blame rests on the dealer? Maybe they washed the engine down, added some stop leak and covered it up instead of fixing the van. All dealership check over a car before it goes on the car lot. Why don't you ask to see the techs comments when he checked it over!! You have an 8 year old van and you expect GM to fix it for free for life!! When you got the van where you offered an extended warranty? If you were why did you turn it down?

[jasonalden]

I have a 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera SL Wagon with a 3.1 V6 and 49,000 miles, and I have owned it for 2 months. I recently found that my coolant level is dropping and my coolant recovery tank has an oily sludge forming in it.

I have created a section on my own personal website outlining all of this and it is being updated constantly.

My story & pictures are located here:
http://thealdens.org/1996-3.1-V6-CoolantOil/main.htm

If anyone has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you,
Jason Alden

[jeff00_98]

In regards to the leaking intake gaskets. Several entries commented that this happened on fairly low milage cars, but AGE does make a difference. If the coolant has not been regularly flushed & replaced periodically, then it becomes corrosive in time and WILL eat thru an intake gasket and even head gaskets. And don't fall for the "100,000 mile" coolant. It needs to be flushed periodically also.

regards,
Jeff

[zbigg]

Hi
Got '96 Trans Sport and ALSO-YES,yes,yes!....
thicking/rattling noise upon cold startup-does anybody know
which years of 3.4L are mainly affected w/intake gasket leak problem?
(various oppinions) or generally this is to 3.4L engine ?

zbigg

[Boddingtons]

http://gm-v6lemons.com

[Flatrater]

Poll closed!