Repeated intake manifold gasket leak / failure - had to replace twice in less than 100,000 miles - first time at just over 36,000 miles. Never owned a car where I had to replace an intake manifold gasket once, let alone twice and virtually every car my family has owned has been maintained and driven over 100,000 miles. Searching the internet you see the GM 3.4 liter engine in 1999 era this is a common complaint/problem. Also the original Oldsmobile dealer acknowledged it was a known issue with this engine. There is also a lawsuit www.dexcoolsettlement.com showing how prevalent this issue is - yet GM refuses to acknowledge it is a defect and take care of their customers and vehicle owners by repairing these vehicles and changing the gasket design. It was bad enough having to spend close to $500 to repair this on my Oldsmobile with just over 36,000 miles on it, now I am told to pay close to $1,000 to have it replaced again! GM customer assistance insists there is no defect, there is nothing abnormal about this that requires any corrective action or "assistance" from GM. They further claim GM engineers have reviewed the incoming data to customer assistance and there is no problem / no trend with intake manifold gaskets on the 3.4 liter engine - that can not be the truth. This is not a normal wear item, an intake manifold gasket should last the life of the engine and if not, GM should stand behind their product and replace it for their customers. Other customers with the same problem have had engine seizures and serious safety problems because they did not notice or catch the problem soon enough and coolant leaking into the oil caused engine seizure and/or overheating. Original problem was February 2003, problem has re-occurred October 2008 so clearly GM did nothing to change the gasket design and does not even stand behind their service / replacement parts.

- Wellesley, MA, USA

Vehicle overheated on congested highway with no prior warning of any problem. Manifold gasket failure at 45,000 miles. The vehicle was repaired at a cost of $831 with the possibility that the engine may seize at any time due to coolant/oil contmination. Intake manifold gasket replaced with new GM design and new installation proceedure. I have retained the old parts.

- Joliet, IL, USA

The "low coolant" light came on but there was no evidence of a leak. We finally discovered that the hot coolant was leaking onto the camshaft and into the engine through faulty lower intake manifold gaskets. The gasket was replaced at our expense but we do not know the damage or condition of the camshaft and engine bearings from coolant mixed with oil to lubricate. There remains a coolant odor we cannot identify. We later learned of GM service bulletin 03-06-01-010 dated March 2003 that identifies this problem but vehicle owners have not been alerted. There will be complete engine failure without early detection of problem and repair.

- Franklin, TN, USA

I own a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette with about 55,000 miles. I took the van to a local mechanic because of a knocking noise on cold startup and continual overheating. The mechanic diagnosed the problem as a failed intake manifold gasket. The total bill about $600. The van had regular maintenance. This seems to be a common problem with GM vehicles with the 3.4L engines.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

During the summer, the low coolant light came on. The owner took the vehicle to the G.M. dealer. The coolant was low and it was suggested that a pressure check be done for the radiator coolant. The manifold intake gasket failed causing the engine to over heat. Provide further details.............................

- Bothell, WA, USA

An engine diagnosis revealed there was no oil pressure, a blown head gasket, and a leaking intake manifold gasket.

- Somerville, NJ, USA

The intake manifold was cracked and leaked antifreeze.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

The intake manifold cracked, which caused fluid to leak.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

I own a 1999 Oldsmobile Silhouette with 62,000 miles. I took the van to a local dealer because of a knocking noise on cold startup. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a failed intake manifold gasket. The failed gasket ruined the hydraulic lifters and had to be replaced. The total bill was $1500. The van had regular maintenance (oil, filters, anitfreeze checked) every 3000 miles. This seems to be a common problem with GM vehicles and dexcool systems. This could have been a major safety issue had the engine failed while driving.

- Plainfield, IN, USA

Vehicles oil pump failed. Oil discharged from the engine around the gasket. Consumer was informed by mechanic that it was the relief valve on the oil pump which caused the oil to discharge, however consumer is not sure if the oil pump failre was related to the head gasket failure.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

While driving vehicle coolant light illuminated, causing vehicle to shut down.consumer has notified dealership, mechanic stated head manifold gasket had to be replaced.

- Torrance, CA, USA

Consumer states that the head gaskets are leaking coolant onto the engine. The dealer has inspected the vehicle. The part is on national back order. Nlm

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

When driving at all the component's on the dashboard came on and won't go off, and the vehicle is running rough and shuts down.

- Henderson, SC, USA