coolant loss

I bought a new 2000 Venture that started to need coolant top ups after the fourth year. No leak was obvious. After checking this website, I determined the most likely cause of coolant loss was the intake manifold gasket leaking. I also found out that there is a so called "secret" warranty on the intake manifold gasket of 5 years or 100,000 kilometers. I went to the dealer & they did a coolant system pressure test which did not show loss of pressure or a leak. They then did a dye test which after a few weeks of driving showed that the intake manifold gasket was leaking. They replaced the gasket under warranty. The only cost to me was $80.57 for a new valve cover gasket & new thermostat which the dealer recommended be replaced but was not covered.

wish i would have known that when my 98 was leaking. Although I bought mine used.

my 2001 Venture is at the Chevy dealer right now for intake gaskets. It has 55,000 miles and the dealer wants $850 to fix it. After a lot of complaining they agreed to knock off $400 and do it for $450. They claim there is no extended warranty on the motor. How do I find out more about this?
Thanks.

The "silent warranty" it seems inside the states is purely a dealer discretion. People in Canada seem to have better luck with it, but again I think it really is the dealer's option, not GM's.

From what others have said, you are doing pretty good if you got it down to $450. That is around the lowest price I've seen for it to be done professionally. The only way to get it done cheaper (without it being free) is to do it yourself.