Coolant Problem 2000 Alero 3400

I have a coolant problem with my 2000 Alero with the V6 3400 engine. The coolant level goes down, but there are no visible leaks. The car has fairly low mileage,30000, but I bought it used so I don't know how the car has been treated.
Is this problem common for this particular engine?
Is this typical of an intake manifold problem?
Should this be an expensive repair?
Will I be required to go back to an Olds dealer for repair?

I had a problem with my 2000 Olds Alero V-6 and had to take it back to the dealer for intake manifold gaskets I believe. At the time it was covered under warranty and it probably had around 30k on it. I have heard several complaints about this problem in reading different reviews on different web sites.

Yep, I came across this website http://www.gmintakeleak.com when I was researching the coolant loss on my Alero. Looks like this is an epidemic.

I have the same problem with coolant loss.Dex-Cool that is used is believed to be the problem.My low coolant light kept coming on and I added more.I had a compression check done on the cooling system and there was oil in it.The intake manifold gasket has to be replaced and what ever else is wrong.Same engine 3.4L V6 3400.I'm looking at a $1000+ bill.The only smart thing you can do is get rid of your car and never buy another GM product!Go to bigclassaction.com.

Yep, you've figured it out. ALL of the 3.1s and 3.4s eventually have this issue. Mine went last summer, GMPP, thank God, because it would have been $700-$1,000, depending on who you talk to, Actually, have heard quotes as high as $1,500.

At the time, GM was replacing about 800 per week.

Good luck with the lawsuit. The probs have been going on since the mid 90s.

I experienced this with my 1997 Malibu with the 3.1 Pushrod engine. I had mine replaced in Februray 2003 on that car and I read that repairs made to intake manifold gaskets in 2002-present use new materials and the new intake gaskets are supposed to be a lot tougher than the originals. When I purchased my Alero used, the GM dealer that I purchased it from made the repair with the new materials before I took delivery of the vehicle. If anyone is in the market for this vehicle or any other GM vehicle with the 3.1 or 3.4 engine, make sure this repair has been made during or after 2002 with the new type of gaskets.

BTW, the repair on the Malibu for the gasket at the stealership was 751.50. At the time, other dealers and independent shops were quoting me upwards of $1,100. I heard on other automotive forums that people have paid as little as $550.00 at some dealers. Make sure to shop around.

Also, when they replace the gasket, they will also try to get you to to an "engine flush". I would decline this UNLESS they drop the oil pan and clean the oil pump screen. Many times after an engine flush, gunk comes loose, wich is supposed to happen, but end up clogging the oil pump screen, starving the engine of oil.

SHOP AROUND FOR THIS REPAIR!!!!

JeReMy