3.4 l V6 a POS?

[asterix100]

Holy cow - I just freaked myself out looking at all the stuff on the internet about how crappy the Venture engine is. Any opinions - is this for real? I know about the manifold gasket problem, but I didn't know about the cam shaft. Are these known problems fixed on the 2005s? If 10% of what I read is true, I'm staying very, very far away from the Venture regardless of the price

[KJRich]

I probably wouldn't buy another one. If I bought a used one, I'd change the intake gasket right away. I thought camshaft breakage was related to the intake gasket leak, but I could be wrong about that.
http://www.gm-v6lemons.com
On the other hand, my dad has over 225,000 miles on his '98 Venture, so go figure.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by KJRich

I probably wouldn't buy another one. If I bought a used one, I'd change the intake gasket right away. I thought camshaft breakage was related to the intake gasket leak, but I could be wrong about that.
http://www.gm-v6lemons.com
On the other hand, my dad has over 225,000 miles on his '98 Venture, so go figure.

I agree. There are at least 2 groups of Venture owners I have come in contact with. Those who love their vehicles and have had few problems with them. And those who have had many problems and absolutely hate them. Each model year does not seem exempt to the problems that plague the Venture, (i.e. intake gaskets, head gaskets, electrical, power sliding door, driveability issues.) There is actually a third group of owners, that I fall into, that have had some of these problems but still like the van enough to keep it. I intend to see how the 2004 & 2005 models fare down the road before I decide on my next vehicle. The new Uplander is also looking mighty good as well. Let's hope they are not plagued with similar problems as the Venture. It is funny though how widespread these problems are and how they seem to affect certain Ventures within that model year, where other Ventures of the same year have relatively fewer problems. Could it be quality control over at GM, or how well an owner takes care of the vehicle after purchase?

[KJRich]

We've taken care of ours very well. Other than the intake leak, and also the power door lock problem (water draining from HVAC system under the passenger side carpet where the wiring is) its been very reliable. In fact, the intake leak hasn't sidelined it. Mine leaked external, and I'm having it fixed as we speak. I decided I'd rather spend the $500 or so to have it done than fix it myself. We'll probably keep it a while longer, but I don't know if I'd buy another.

[Kevcules]

These vans are , for the most part , junk! They have throw away parts on them. I've owned many vehicles and never had to change a lower controll arm on any of them, even with high mileage. My 98 venture needed a lower controll arm and an outer tie rod end at 45 thousand kms. Like was said in the post , "your freaked out" by all the horror stories you've read, the really scary part is that how many other people are struggling and haven't found this forum yet!!!!
I will definitely not buy another one.
For the most part, you get what you pay for.
The "One" reason there are so many on the road is lower $$$$$!

Kevin

[djphix]

Honestly, prior to this Venture, I'd had great success with Chevys. After all the problems with this Venture, I don't see myself ever buying a GM again. If it's financially viable, I'll buy Japanese. Otherwise, I'll probably switch to Ford (who had similar intake manifold gasket problems with the Windstar and reimbursed their customers).

A problem with my 97 that I hadn't brought up on this forum yet is the recurring P1870 code, that NO ONE can seem to fix. Chevy's solution is to install a rebuilt transmission in the $3500 USD range if I remember correctly. This code has been recurring for years, and I've attempted to have it fixed on three separate occasions. Now, it poses an emissions problem, as they only check the OBD-II in my area now. If the SES light is on, you fail, period, which leads to your plates being suspended.

I'd suggest you pass on a Venture. Sure, there's a chance you may get one with few problems, but there's a better chance not.

[KJRich]

Me too, I have had great luck with Cavaliers, bought 2 brand new vehicles from Chevy, but they won't help me with this van, so I probably won't be buying another GM product.

[ggcatt]

We've had two Ventures, both bought used. First one was great from 70K to 95K, then the manifold gasket went bad. Second one is doing fine, wife loves it. Has 74K now, and the manifold gasket was replaced at the GM dealer by the previous owner. Sliding door has acted up, but otherwise we are glad to have the van. Ride, mileage, control, and reliability have been very good. Don't know about cam issues, and hope I don't have to find out. We would probably buy another if the manifold gasket was repaired.

[gunjes]

I have a 99' that is now a paper weight as it will cost 1600.00 dollars to repair. This is due to poor design, engine and coolant. With only 71K miles I would never -never buy another( If I won one I would trade it in on something else) : GM will not accept responsability for their mistakes. Yet I due accept responsability for buying this van/ a poor act on my part.

[asterix100]

my boss gave me a recent issue of consumer reports that looks at minivans. He bought a used Odyssey. The Venture model years 2002 and earlier get LOTS of black dots, but 2003 and 2004 get mostly red dots (ie. quite high ratings). I guess about that time chevy figured it would do something to fix the problems. So maybe I won't rule out the 2005s after all.

[broughy84]

2005 is the last year for the Venture. You may want to look at its replacement. The Uplander it came out in 2005, and it seams to be a better vehicle.

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by asterix100

my boss gave me a recent issue of consumer reports that looks at minivans. He bought a used Odyssey. The Venture model years 2002 and earlier get LOTS of black dots, but 2003 and 2004 get mostly red dots (ie. quite high ratings). I guess about that time chevy figured it would do something to fix the problems. So maybe I won't rule out the 2005s after all.

That's what I < love> about GM. It takes them a while to work out most of the problems, and then when they get it finally right, they discontinue the model and come out with something else and start from scratch with more issues to work out. A never-ending cycle.

[asterix100]

Originally Posted by broughy84

2005 is the last year for the Venture. You may want to look at its replacement. The Uplander it came out in 2005, and it seams to be a better vehicle.

Dude - honestly, the only reason I'm considering a Venture is because it is the last year. therefore I should be able to get a really good deal. I'm sure no one is gonna get too big a discount on the Uplander right now. If I was going to buy a van with a "no dicker sticker", it sure as hell wouldn't be a GM.

[hugaminivan]

I personally talked to someone who retired from GM after years of building their engines, and he said that the 3.4l v6 was the very best engine they ever made. I know that they put it in many cars including the Venture, Montana, Silhouette, Grand Am, and many others. They can last up to 300k if they are taken care of. Mine has 133k, and it still is very solid with no leaks or noises. It all depends on how they were taken care of (regular maintenance, not driven hard, etc.).

[Kooterskkar]

That's what I < love> about GM. It takes them a while to work out most of the problems, and then when they get it finally right, they discontinue the model and come out with something else and start from scratch with more issues to work out. A never-ending cycle

thats how they make money. Build a cheap car with lots of problems, fix it up some over the few years they sell it, they design a new car and tell people itll be better when really its not. Peope think "damn this old car is a POS, ill go buy this new one". well the new one is a pos too... so they buy the next "new" one, thinking once again that it will be better. And it goes on and on and on like that. Thats the main reason I stick with old cars. You find a decent one, and fix itup, and itll last you another 5 years or more. And its alot cheaper.