7.1
pretty bad
engine problem
I have caught the devil with my head gaskets and manifold leaking in my 2003 Alero. I have went through five water reservoirs at 60 dollars a piece.
- Crystal M., Olar, SC, US
IF OLDSMOBILE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR ENGINE THEY SHOULD'VE LET THE CUSTOMER KNEW ABOUT IT
- Andre B., Birmingham, AL, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I've already replaced the intake manifold gasket! Now I tool my car in for an oil change and they refused to do it because there was oil leaking around the manifold cover and into the anti-freeze. I'm furious!! My first thought is that it's the intake manifold again. Second, since I'm not losing anti-freeze, the head gasket. Third, and hopefully true, the tech is an idiot!! I've already put almost $3,500 in the 3 years I've owned it, it's not worth it.
- az122, Hopkins, MN, US
At this time I was leaking anti-freeze but it was not showing up on the ground. The low light would come on and I started carry pre-mixed anti-freeze with me. I went in to get the oil changed and mentioned the missing anti-freeze, so they took a look. It was decided that there was a leak in the intake manifold gasket and it should be replaced. So I did. It wasn't cheap, but I was thankful it was the head gasket.
- az122, Hopkins, MN, US
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This wonderful Olds Alero has cost us literally thousands of dollars beyond the purchase price. I don't even have 70,000 miles on it yet. Alarm system went out in May 2007 leaving a bill of $500 and was told that I would need to spend another $800 to fix the manifold/cooling system. Lucky me, I got it fixed for $600. (sarcasm is hard to detect on the computer but believe me, its there) Now my horn is all screwed up
- Joey K., Duluth, GA, US
OK...driving home from work last Monday, and the service engine soon light comes on. Pulled into Autozone to have them read my OBD code. OBD read thermostat stuck open (guess that was the reason for lack of acceptable heat). Ok...buy a new thermostat ($13), I'll fix it tonight in the driveway. Open hood and realize #1, that it's a PITA to get to the thermostat, and #2...there's oil and coolant all over the top of the block. Ok...call Carmax, make an appointment for service. Thank goodness I purchased the extended warranty. It has paid for itself many times over!!! 4 days later, I got my car back. Why do people buy GM cars again???
- James C., Edgewood, MD, US
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
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The 2003 Alero with the 4.3 V6 is a good auto/engine, it's the manufacturer using cheap Intake gaskets (Plastic) to save money, if anyone has intakes leaking just have all of them done, Intake and head gaskets, I was lucky to find an honest mechanic, cost me $1,022.34 but the car runs like new, he used Fel-Pro brand gaskets which in my opinion are the best, and they are metal not plastic, other than that I have not had any other problems with this car, I plan on restoring this auto because the Alero was the last Olds to come off of the assembly line.
- northwoods362mi, Interlochen, MI, US