Discovered cracked lower intake manifold. I understand that it is caused by the Crappy orange antifreeze (Dex-Cool) that GM uses. It turns to sludge and eats up gaskets, aluminum parts and more. The Malibu is my Son's car. I will never buy a GM Car!
I had reported a problem with low coolant to the dealer more than once, and they said the cap was loose on the overflow container. Now that my car isn't under warranty I took it to my old mechanic and they immediately informed me of the problem. My mechanic also informed me of problems with the engine. Also the dealership which I had used for over 10 years is no longer a chevy dealer and I cannot get my records. My car has only 32,500 miles in 4 years on it. I will be in contact with Chevy for reimbursement.
Came to this site looking for information on the leaking intake manifold gasket and low and behold, there are several complaints regarding this issue. GM needs to step up and fix this problem.
well I read everyone else's description and exactly the same thing with my car. My lower gasket had a leak. The anti-freeze was leaking but I could not find out where. At first it was a couple months before I needed to add more and then it was monthly then weekly. I was procrastinating due to money and I thought it was not going to be covered like everything else. Finally last week I saw it leaking on the ground and knew I had to take it in. I got it back today, and it was covered under extended, but I still needed new spark plugs and wires, something with the fuel injection( i dont have the paper here), they said I needed a steering fluid and brake fluid flush as well.
So I left the dealership $537 dollars poorer than when I went in, but hopefully with a car that will last a little while longer till I can get a better one... by the way the price of the lower gasket fix was over $700, so my bill was actually 1200+ but again it was covered. So yes Chevy should do something about this, but no they probably won't.
The water gauge came on once and I filled the overflow container. My husband drove the Malibu to NC for the Charlotte races and the temperature gauge never heated up, the radiator didn't not steam up, and the water gauge never came on. My sister drove my car to the CLT airport and the engine started knocking, stopped running and the car was towed to a Chevy Dealership. They said the head gasket had blown even though there was a lot of water on the ground and still leaking from the car as it was being towed away. Cost to replace engine is $4,600 but they will give me $1,200 trade in value on one of their cars. Still have a balance on the car loan so haven't made any decision yet. Dealership who sold me the car in Jacksonville has said they can't do anything. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do?? Seems worthless to put $4,600 into a car which is only worth $4,000 in excellent shape on a trade in. Like feeding a dead horse. AND of course, they are saying I have no warranty which would cover this new engine. Tell me about a class action suit.
- Toni V.,
Jacksonville, FL, US
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Bought the car in 2004 used with an extended warranty. Low level coolant light was coming on occasionally. Checked each time and found the tank seemed to be low. Since the radiator is sealed and the overflow tank is frosted, it is difficult to determine the coolant level. Finally after several months, accidentally found coolant puddled on top of the engine and had the gasket repaired. What a piece of junk.
Kept having to add antifreeze, but no leak on ground. The antifreeze was leaking and the frying on the manifold I guess. Anyway, had intake gaskets replaced with different style. The mechanic told me it was because of the type anitifreeze GM used.
I had coolant missing and was told the gasket needed replacing. Luckily it didn't ruin my engine. My extended warranty had just run out. My finances were low because I'd missed work without pay after surgery, so this really hurt me a lot. I'm still suffering from this. My Mazda Protege has nearly 285,000 miles and never had a problem like this. I'm going back to Mazda for my next car. I've learned my lesson the hard way!
Yet again, this POS Chevrolet Malibu takes more money from my pocket. Vehicle started leaking coolant, took it to a mechanic, turned out it was the same problem everyone else had: Cracked Intake Manifold Gasket. Honestly, this car has been junk. I told my wife in 2002 NOT to buy a Chevy since I had a Tahoe that was nothing but junk also. They purchased it, and it has less than 50k miles, yet has tons of wiring issues, AC hardly ever works right, the list just goes on. DO NOT BUY CHEVY!
My coolant isn't leaking that I can see. It's not puddling anywhere but I put coolant in every other day. My add fluid light comes on too. My fan's don't seem to be working either. Check engine light is constantly on and have replaced 4 injectors already. I HATE this car! I have never had so many problems with a car. any suggestions?
I was told My intake gasket would need to be replaced or my engine would lock up and need more costly repairs. I have added Dexcool in the past and didn't ever see external leaks. Also submitted my name to a class action law suit. It seems as if DEXCOOL sludges (I've noticed this in my vehicle) and causes multiple problems.
I noticed that my car was leaking some type of fluid and took it to a dealer here on base. I was told that it wasn't leaking. Months pass and I am really seeing a huge difference and am constantly filling up the anti-freeze. I break down and take it to a German autoshop and they tell me I am leaning from the head gasket. I see from the complaints it is probably the intake valve. Either way, I am in another country. It is so hard to get my car repared here because they don't have the parts. Now to have to pay for the repair in euros, this is going to be expensive. With all the complaints it is crazy that Chevrolet or GM won't step up and take the blame.
I took my vehicle because the engine light came on and it was shifting hard. When I took the vehicle in the tech told me that it was due to an air intake sensor and that the reason I was leaking coolant was due to a leak in the intake manifold. The tech told me that it was common in Malibus and that they came from the manufacturer with the defect. They told me that there was also a problem with the wiring harness.
I'm beyond angry with GM about this Malibu. I have regulary maintained this vehicle, but with an leaky coolant system and crappy electrical issues I have to say this year IS BADLY DUE TO BE RECALLED FOR THESE ISSUES! No wonder GM is in trouble. Karma.
While out driving the other weekend, the car completely lost power - had it towed thinking I might need a new alternator or distributor only to be told on Monday that I need a whole new engine!! Has been leaking coolant for some time, and as it turns out the intake gasket is busted and caused the engine to lock up. I gathered all my receipts showing that I have had regular maintenance done on this car and took it to the Chevrolet dealership - they said they can't do anything for me because it's not under warranty! GM customer service says they can't help me either. Why should I have to replace the engine in a car that I have only had for 4 years?!! Had I been neglectful, I would expect this - but that is NOT the case here and I don't feel that I should have to pay for this when it is not my fault. I will never buy a vehicle with only a 3 year warranty again, and I do NOT believe I will consider a vehicle from GM ever!! I can see from reading the other complaints that I am not alone in being ignored by this company.
I noticed a leak, also my check water light came on... Checked what was leaking and it had a brown tint to it... Took it to my mechanic and he told me he had 3 other malibu's with the same problem... The gaskets on the intake manifold were leaking... He also said that he might have to replace some fuel injector rods or cylinder rods (i think)... He told me they cost $125 a piece if they needed to be replaced... Thank goodness, I didnt need any replaced... After looking on line, I've noticed this happens quite a bit with all the Chevy Malibu's... And I believe also with other GM's!!!!!! I loved my car up until today! LOL!!!
I AM LEAKING ANTI-FREEZE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY INTAKE MANIFOLD. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CHEV VEHICLES. WHY ISN'T CHEVY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT LIKE HELPING TO PAY FOR THIS FRIGGEN PROBLEM? ALL OF THE FORDS WITH THIS PROBLEM WAS GETTING FIXED BY FORD FOR FREE.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Discovered cracked lower intake manifold. I understand that it is caused by the Crappy orange antifreeze (Dex-Cool) that GM uses. It turns to sludge and eats up gaskets, aluminum parts and more. The Malibu is my Son's car. I will never buy a GM Car!
- Norv D., Summerville, SC, US