Looking at a 2000 montana

[Renny_D]

Hi we're looking at a 2000 Montana. The mechanic that we are going to use to check it out was really negative on this vehicle. He said it's basically a bad engine. I've been reading this forum and it looks like it's basically the intake manifold gasket that is the issue. Does the upgraded gasket fix this problem? Also has anyone swapped in an engine from one of the later Montanas/Sv6s? We really like all the van has to offer but we're leary of the engine issue. The previous owners just had the engine throw a rod and replaced it with a reman one. Please let us know. The good on the one we are looking at is a relatively new engine and all the recall work has been done. What are the other big issues with this car? Please we'd love your feedback.

Thanks
Renny

[fanta2]

Renny D - you should check out the Venture forum as well - basically the same van. MANY common problems amongst us owners: intake gaskets, head gaskets, wipers not parking, leaking windshields (causes OH console to die), radio backlights dying, power door locks stop working, fuel gauge becomes inaccurate....I've probably missed a few; the list goes on and on. I've had all of these happen to my '99 Venture; It's got 152K miles, and I had a used motor put in at 144k (w/about 50K on it). I'm a loyal GM guy, but this experience has me very soured on GM.

['97ventureowner]

Welcome to AF!
While every vehicle has it's issues,(some a little more than others,) the Montana/Venture/Silhouette vans really aren't that bad. They are practical transportation and are versatile. The intake gasket was an issue due to poor design but the most recent update of the gasket should fix the problem. You say the van has a remanufactured engine in it? If so then a lot of your worries may not come to light as the engine probably has the updated gasket as part of the remanufacturing process.
I really haven't seen many issues with head gaskets, again there may be a few but the intake gasket is the one to keep an eye on. As for the wiper parking issue, these vans weren't the only vehicles to experience this problem. Other electrical issues can be traced to simple problems such as water soaked rug in the passenger compartment shorting out wires, or worn out parts.The gas gauge issue doesn't affect every van and is a common issue among other vehicles. Notice the other member who replied has 152,000 miles on their van, that's pretty good .
Having owned 2 of these vans and now on my 3rd , I can say that most of the issues that crop up can be repaired by the DIYer with the proper tools and manual.Coming to a forum like this can kind of give you a "one way" view, (mostly negative) as this is where people come to find solutions to their problems with their vehicles, and people tend to complain more about something that goes wrong, than to compliment something that goes right. There are hundreds of thousands of these vans on the road today and there are bound to be issues with any make or model.
Overall that van has a fairly new engine in it so it probably has a lot more miles left in it , especially if you keep up on the maintenance of it,( oil changes, filter changes, radiator flush and fills, etc.)

[big dave]

I have a 2000 Montana and we love it. Our first van was the 1991 Lumina APV and our second was a 1995 Transport. The electrical system on the 91 was buggy but the other two were/are good vehicles. I also have a 2002 Aztek which i did have to replace the gaskets on. But I still love the platform and was sorry to see Pontiac (GM) cancel the line. I know the Venture is the same van, but Pontiac always seemed to have a few more niceties.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by big dave

I know the Venture is the same van, but Pontiac always seemed to have a few more niceties.

Yeah, Pontiac is a "step above" Chevy and is a little more upscale in their option offerings. When I was in the market back in '06 to buy another van I was looking at both the Uplander and Montana and noticed big differences in options and how they were bundled. I almost bought a Montana at that time.

[rkvons]

I have a 98 Montanna/Transport. Bought it new off the lot. I maintain it meticulously. I have changed the LIM gasket (last year) mostly because I was worried. It would lose a cup of antifreeze in a couple of months, but it started leaking oil really bad. Anyway, the loss of antifreeze has stopped. I had power door issues, replaced the driver's side power window switch, replaced the load-leveler shocks (they were leaking). The air conditioning compressor went out. GM repair = $1500, me = $650. So I did it myself. Of course, I had to buy gages and a vacuum pump and they are included in that cost. A/C still blows cold. I have an intermittent tachometer issue. Sometimes it just does not work. Then it just does. There seems to be an issue also starting it when it is warm. It tries to sort of hunt for its idle speed. I suspect a Crank Position Sensor is going or something like that. I will tackle that this summer. I had a brake cylinder on the passenger side go out. I think there is a need to look at the front bearings. They sort of growl rythmicly. Leaky headlights. This may seem like a lot, but I love this vehicle. It has never broken down and required a tow. I will buy GM again.

[Renny_D]

Had the inspection done today - one load leveler shock in the rear is dead. Does anyone replace these with a different types of shocks? Both front door windows have track issues - has anyone run into this before and is this a diy fix? I'm pretty good with tools. Is there any access to the rear side of these engines from inside or underneath. I was just thinking what a pain something simple like a spark plug change is going to be with as tight as this fits in their. Those were to two main issues the other stuff was all minor? Lastly quick question does anyone know how wide of a rim and tire you can fit on these vans before encountering fendor rubbing issues or sliding door issues. The van needs new tires and I have a line on some decent 18' rims with 245/45/18 tires on them. This will give me an inch wider tire but a shorter side wall so the van will steer and track a little better? Any feedback? Please let me know.

Thanks
Renny

[hufhouse]

Originally Posted by Renny_D

Is there any access to the rear side of these engines from inside or underneath. I was just thinking what a pain something simple like a spark plug change is going to be with as tight as this fits in their.

Thanks
Renny

Generally, everybody replaces the spark plugs when they have the whole top half of the engine off replacing the intake manifold gasket. :-)

Seriously, though, it is pretty difficult to replace the rear plugs. There is a simple way to roll the engine forward about 6" to aid in reaching stuff in the back, but it's still difficult. But, that's par for the course on just about any minivan.