Intake Manifold Gasket Failure

1999 Pontiac Montana (Page 2 of 2)

8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,730
Average Mileage:
99,050 miles
Total Complaints:
25 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace lower intake manifold gasket (7 reports)
  2. GM should have alerted owners to this potential problem (4 reports)
  3. not sure (4 reports)
  4. gm should recall and fix them (3 reports)
  5. had to replace the engine (3 reports)
  6. you have to replace the intake, mfg. defect (3 reports)
1999 Pontiac Montana engine problems

engine problem

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1999 Pontiac Montana Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #5

Oct 302006

(reported on)

Montana

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Went to the dealership after calling PontiacCares to get 50% off of the $800 bill to replace intake gasket. Antifreeze was going too fast to keep up. 18 months later it is leaking again and Pontiac tells me it is only warrantied for 12 months. I talked to a 'Good' mechanic this time and he said he does a lot of them and replaces the gasket with an aftermarket gasket that has a steel inside. He also replaces the plug seal nearby that he told me was leaking. He charged about $460 for the repair, by the way. To make things worse, I called the dealership and they did not replace the plug because it didn't seem to be leaking, but it was RIGHT there and takes 2 seconds to replace. I am so done with dealerships and have not had one good repair experience yet (except at a Honda dealership).

- Ed B., Troy, MI, US

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problem #4

Jul 212006

(reported on)

Montana EX

  • 83,225 miles

there seems to be no end to the overheating problems in this car. had to replace the lower intake manifold gasket.

- Robert M., Miami, FL, US

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problem #3

Jul 152004

(reported on)

Montana

  • 54,000 miles

Replaced upper intake gasket (aka head gasket). GM Service Rep stated this is a very common repair for 3.4L and 3.1L GM engines. He suggested that a private shop perform the repairs as Dealership cost for the repair is excessive.

Private shop mechanic stated that he can make a living from repairing the GM head gaskets.

Found presentation from GM Powertrain stating the excessive frequency of head gasket failures. The presentation suggests solutions to the problem that include a thicker gasket, and increased torque on the bolts that hold the head on the engine.

- efsii, Rochester Hills, MI, US

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problem #2

Apr 112003

(reported on)

Montana ES

  • 60,000 miles

I have had two GM mechanics tell me (off the record of course) that they cannot keep intakes on the shelf because so many of these intakes are cracking. Pontiac sort of admits the problem on the Bonnevilles but not on the Montana. It doesn't matter that the motor is the same. What really gripes me is the dealer I have purchased two brand new vehicles from did not back up their product. I will not be purchasing another vehicle from Heritage Automotive.

- Tammy T., Loretto, TN, US

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problem #1

Jul 282003

(reported on)

Montana

  • 70,000 miles

On our return trip from vacation (2 1/2 hrs from home) our engine light came on. There was no smoke or overheating yet. However, when we checked the coolant it was all gone. We did not know where it went. After another hr., the temperature gauge started into the red, we pulled over again and the engine stopped. The intake manifold gasket failed allowing coolant to mix with oil in the engine causing total engine failure. We had to tow or van to an authorized GM garage. GM has not given us any help yet with the $4,100 we spent to get a new engine. We currently are trying the BBB route. However, several attorneys in Kansas City and San Fransisco are gathering information for a class action lawsuit. If you had this specific repair done on your GM vehicle (yrs. 1995-2000) they need to know your story. To be continued.

- cosmicgirl, Elizabeth, PA, US

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