Overheating, FIXED EVERYTHING, Help

[denyp]

Originally Posted by cdru

No. Intake manifold doesn't usually directly cause problems like this. Problems with the intake manifold are usually evident due to secondary damage. For instance, your bearings become damaged because your oil doesn't lubricate with antifreeze in it.

It sounds like you were screwed over twice by repair shops. If they were the same repair shop, I'd find someone else to take my car to. The $20 water pump and hose are a half hour job...hour if you include the fill and bleeding if you don't have a vacuum bleeder. The thermostat, while a possible culprit, can be easily tested while still installed. If the upper radiator suddenly becomes hot around 195 degrees when the car is idling, it's working correctly as the coolant just started to flow through. Likewise, the radiator is onyl $200 aftermarket. There isn't $500 in labor to replace that and the thermostat.

Because your overflow jug becomes filled, you have something pushing out the coolant. The coolant itself does not have that much thermal expansion. Air is getting into your coolant system somewhere. Continuing to drive and allowing it to overheat is only going to make the problem worse. Right now, presuming you have a reputable shop loook at it, your looking at a 1000-1500 bill for the heads and intake gaskets to be replaced. If you continue to let to go, you can add on another $500-1000 for replacement heads and other replacement parts due to cracking or warping.

Intellectualize it all you want. The problem starts due to the defective intake manifold gaskets! Other damage follows. Mine required going down to the heads! Dealers know this - and there is a great deal of info in other threads!

Deny

[brpansan]

Originally Posted by denyp

Intellectualize it all you want. The problem starts due to the defective intake manifold gaskets! Other damage follows. Mine required going down to the heads! Dealers know this - and there is a great deal of info in other threads!

Deny

Yes, you are absolutely 100% correct. After spending over $900.00, on everything but the manifold gasket, I did LOTS of research. I found numerous complaints from GM owners about the manifold gasket. I even found service bulletin number 03-06-01-010 dated March, 2003 with the subject "Engine Oil or Coolant Leak (Install New Manifold Gasket)" The 1997 Chevrolet Venture is on that list of models affected by the defect. I contacted GM and that defect, that is clearly and obviously recognized by GM as their defect, IS NOT RECALLED! That is ridiculous. I got a quote on repairing that problem and it was 1500.00. I immediately went to a local dealership and traded the van in on a new car with a 5 year 75,000 mile warranty. The van has been retired, and ironically left with a GM dealership. The van wasn't running hot that particular day. Boy are they going to be mad when they find out they gave me $2,500.00 trade in on a van that's only worth $3,000.00 (if it were in great condition) and needs $1500.00 in repairs before it can be resold. One of life's lessons learned for GM. Don't mess with us women, we are masters at payback, LOL.

[cdru]

[quote=brpansan]I got a quote on repairing that problem and it was 1500.00.[/bquote]If it was just the intake gasket, that price was quite overinflated. Typical dealer repair bills are around $800.

Boy are they going to be mad when they find out they gave me $2,500.00 trade in on a van that's only worth $3,000.00 (if it were in great condition) and needs $1500.00 in repairs before it can be resold.

Most dealerships wouldn't even bother to fix it. They just take it to the auction and let someone else deal with it. Even if they were going to fix it, it wouldn't cost anywhere near that amount. Retail, the parts are under $150 total for everything. If you take away dealer markups, the parts are fairly cheap. Labor is the key thing and that too is relatively cheap for a dealership compared to what the general public pays. My guess total cost for a dealership would be in the $300-400 range.

Either way, hope your new car works out good for you.

[brpansan]

Originally Posted by cdru

Most dealerships wouldn't even bother to fix it. They just take it to the auction and let someone else deal with it. Even if they were going to fix it, it wouldn't cost anywhere near that amount. Retail, the parts are under $150 total for everything. If you take away dealer markups, the parts are fairly cheap. Labor is the key thing and that too is relatively cheap for a dealership compared to what the general public pays. My guess total cost for a dealership would be in the $300-400 range.

Either way, hope your new car works out good for you.

I'm sure every quote I have ever gotten is extremely overpriced because of the simple fact that I am a woman. Mechanics love female customers. I myself, am not very mechanical minded and have no clue what something should cost. That's why I paid the extra money for the bumper to bumper 5 year 75,000 mile warranty. It will never cost me one single penny over my $100.00 deductible. I kind of feel bad now though. I pray that a single woman with kids, like myself, doesn't get stuck with that van. Thanks to EVERYONE for all the advice. I pray that I never "need" to come back here for advice again, LOL.