7.8
pretty bad
cooling system problem
Yet another recall that should have been. Developed a leak and continue to add water/coolant until I can get to it.
- jp.mi, Three Rivers, MI, US
Heres another complaint I have to add on this POS lemon. It started leaking coolant a few days ago, its in the shop as we speak, who knows what kind of story they will come up with this time. I can't wait!
- Sundai F., Emporia, KS, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I see that there is a recall for the front cover gasket, however pontiac says its is my rear valve gasket that has an oil leak and a coolant leak and intake manifold gaskets. just my luck? or was this quote planned.........
- catharoo, Redding, CA, US
Frustrating. I had the mechanics diagnose it as a bad water pump, the car proceeded to have problems because they didn't fix the problem and now I have to replace the intake manifold gasket. One thing after another!
- Amy S., Flagstaff, AZ, US
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I have had my grand prix since new it has NEVER cost me a cent for repairs in fact i just did my second brake job in over 190000 km the other day! I was checking my coolant level the other day and found oil in the overflow tank which was a bit of a surprise to me, the car runs like new doesnt smoke or anything else. I have read some of the posts here and i understand the reasoning for the dismay but i have 5 gm vehicles including a rare 1996 gmc yukon turbo deisel all of these have held true for me. I am a mechanic by trade and i know things in the gm dept look bad but ill tell you right now id rather work on a gm v-6 engine than any import interferance piece of crap. I had a nissan pathfinder for about a week and the timing belt went and took out the whole upper half of the engine a 5000 dollar fix, so when it comes to a gm and a 300 dollar gasket repair i am gm all the way, BUT BEING IN THE TRADE I DO NOT RECOMMEND A DEALER FOR ANYTHING THEY BEND YOU OVER AND DONT EVEN GIVE YOU A KISS OR THE COMMON COURTESY OF A REACH AROUND!
I WILL STAY WITH GM AS LONG AS I HAVE GOOD EXPERIENCES BUT TRUST ME THE ECONOMY NEEDS OUR MONEY MORE THAN THE CHINESE AND EUROPEANS DO SO STAY TRUE TO YOUR COUNTRY AND SUPPORT OUR WAY OF LIFE CAUSE IN THE END WE BUY IMPORT IT IS US AND OUR FAMILIES THAT TRUELY SUFFER THANKS!
SPUD GTA
- spudgta, Red Deer, AB, Canada
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Do they make anything other than a plastic gasket? I've had this coolant leak fixed once before, just this past October. Here we are again! It's making more puddles than a new puppy! I agree, this is the last damn time I'll buy a Pontiac! This 2nd go round we were keeping it at bay for a bit by continuing to "burp" it. There was the hope that it was just air bound. That was quickly squashed with the lack of heat now and all the leaking starting back up! Grrrrr! I hate this car!
- Jennifer W., Manchester, NH, US
Well the coolant light is coming on when I go over 50 mph? I had a leaky intake gasket a couple years ago, all I did was change the dexron antifreeze with normal antifreeze and let it go at that. Now I'm reading about the intake gasket in all of GM products?? The goverment should have let the Corp. go under, instead of the bailout!! Now GM is going to let the Pontiac div. go under, way to go! Lets see,,,, buy America products (60 mins showed each person at GM was making $70/hr including benefits compared to $35/hr for Honda??) have them break down (dont fix them) or buy a Honda or what ever, cheaper and dosen't break down as often and if it does "they" might have a call back! umm...maybe another tea party? Americans better wake up!!!
- Joe W., Lockbourne, OH, US
Recently, took my vehicle to the dealership for the recall for the fire hazard on this particular model. There I got the report that the water pump was leaking, replaced water pump and still had leaking coolant. Did some research about this problem and discovered that the Intake Manifold Gasket could be the culprit. Had that done and at the same time the catalytic converter was having problems to the point where it burnt a hole in the Plenum. Had the converter changed and car was okay, went to pick up another Plenum to replaced the one with the big hole. Had this work done and then the car started blowing white smoke, the radiator hoses collapsed and it was all down hill at this point. I was mad, but I had to maintain some calmness.
Spoke with GM about this issue and they commented "We never heard anything about this issue" and it really had me flaming because this is the exact words I read from a person posting their complaint. Initially, I thought the motor was gone and was preparing myself to purchase another one which I may still have to do. Currently, the mechanic discovered coolant in one of the cylinders and wants to check the heads out before making a final call on the thing. The price is still up in the air, the frustration this is causing between my wife and I cannot be measured.
- Timothy C., Decatur, GA, US
Lower intake manifold leaking coolant. Had it repaired at a Pontiac Dealership today. They repaired the lower manifold gasket only (not upper) and the hoses. Had my car for 4 hours and charged me over $1550. They also failed to change the oil, which, as far as I know, is a practice standard in the industry. Also, my car is now running hot and smells like it's burning. I don't trust Pontiac or the dealerships anymore.
- lisalynn1975, Aurora, CO, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
No sooner had we replaced the radiator and we noticed a leak coming from the rear cylinder head where it meets the lower intake manifold. Looking online discovered that there was a known problem with defective lower intake manifold gaskets prompting two technical service bulletins by GM. Check it out at www.dsengine.com/gmgasket. A buddy and I (1 driveway mechanic, 1 GM engineer) repaired for just the cost of the parts. You'll need both a lower and upper intake manifold gasket kit (note: upper intake manifold also known as the plenum). We also had to replace the right angle plastic fitting that exits one end of the lower manifold and enters the heater line just below the belt tensioner. Available at most auto parts stores under the name "Help" products, $3.48. All told we paid $92. for the gaskets, $3.48 for the (heater bypass) fitting, $14 for coolant. Done in 3 hours. We found prices for this fix online ranging from $800 to $1,700.
- Jeff B., Northville, MI, US
We have only had this car for 6 months and it's been running hot the entire time. I read about the problem with the Dex-cool antifreeze so I flushed the car two times and the car still runs hot with the coolant light flickering on and off. I have to drive around with the heater on high just to keep it from over-heating. I can't afford to take it to a mechanic right now.
I've decided I made a huge mistake buying this thing.
- Cindy C., Wichita, KS, US
flusged the dex out for 100.00 noe manifold gasket is leaking into oil will cost 690.00
- kattank66, Edmond, OK, US
It's just that you try to do the proper maintenance at the proper times, don't abuse or drive the car hard, and it seems no matter what, once it gets to a certain mileage on the graph, it's gonna' start costing you money and headaches
- crappie831, Martinsville, IN, US
I paid for a new water pump and I thought that would FIX THE PROBLEM BUT IT STARTED LEAKING AGAIN, I'M A DIVORCED MOTHER AND THIS CAR IS PAID FOR I DON'T APPRECIATE HAVING TO GO THROUGH THIS, I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR A DEALER TO REPAIR IT. IT WAS TOLD THIS IS COMMON IN GM CARS HAD I KNOWN I WOULD NEVER BOUGHT 2 OG THESE DAMN CARS. DO NOT BUY GM PONTIACS.
- Lynette B., Stockton, CA, US
Coolant leak. No heat. Second time replacing lower intake manifold gasket!!!!
- bpowell, Inman, SC, US
Coolant leaking. First noticed in early part of 2006. I would not have any heat. Checked coolant tank and it was empty. Poured coolant in and heat started working. Ended up paying approx $600.00 to have lower intake manifold gasket replaced.
- bpowell, Inman, SC, US
Actually the problem began at the start of winter when we noticed the heater wasn't blowing hot air, we added coolant and it was fine. I kept a close eye on the gauge, before it barely got over 160 degrees, then I noticed the temperature gauge was running hotter than usual and the temp light never came on! I had the thermostat and water pump replaced costing me $156.00 and the car is even worse now! Driving it home from being repaired the temp gauge immediately went in the red and after 5 minutes of driving in the red the temp light finally came on. My mechanic is saying I need a gasket and after reading a few similar complaints I am inclined to agree. Why would they use a plastic gasket when metal gaskets are commonly used? Why would they recall the 3.8L and not the 3.1L too when it is the same problem?
- Michelle H., Greeneville, TN, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I've never had a problem with my car overheating. The thing in top of water overflow jug is bad and thus it always says low coolant and has for 10 yrs +.
I drove it to the store and back home and I didn't notice as it, was less than 2.3 miles each way, but when I pulled into my driveway the heating hand was 2/3 way up near the red mark. When I cut it off smoke came out all around the hood. I left it as it was to cool and called my mechanic who is suppose to come by and check it out this week.
I went out yesterday and checked and the water jug was completely empty of water so I filled it up with antifreeze, but I'm still scared to try to crank it. He said it could be several things; the thermostats may have stuck or a hose my be leaking or the radiator may be leaking. I'd just made about 4 trips to Va. and back due to my Dads death with no problems, except the last time. I noticed the coolant hand was up about 1/4 of way and usually it's real close to the cool mark.
Car has never heated before! Runs good, usually only problems have been windows, body things not anything mechanical! Should I try to drive it or wait and hope my mechanic hurries up and gets to it!
- Dotty M., Archdale, NC, US