8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $990
- Average Mileage:
- 87,000 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 2 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- replace intake manifold, plugs, flush radiator and crankcase (2 reports)
![1998 Pontiac Bonneville cooling system problems](http://cdn.carcomplaints.com/img/v1/categories/cooling_system.png)
cooling system problem
Helpful websites
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
First off I noticed the heater was blowing out cold air and I noticed that the car was running slightly warmer than normal, so I popped the hood to checked the antifreeze level and there was hardly any antifreeze in there. I added 1.5 gallon of dex cool antifreeze. I monitored the level for a day looking for puddles of antifreeze but never seen any. Started the car and water started running out behind the passenger front tire. Noticing the antifreeze level dropping not seeing any antifreeze leaking we shut the car off for the night. Came out the next morning to start the car and the car would barely start. As were driving it to the mechanic the check engine light starts flashing really fast at us with a trail of white smoke just pouring out the exhaust. Losing all power and the car about dying we finally made it to the FIRST mechanic and shut the car off. After about 50 cranks of the engine it finally starts he pulls it in the shop and pulls the spark plug out and all the pressure built up from the antifreeze in the cylinder blew out on his arm. At first he said it was a cracked head, then he referred me to another mechanic to see about replacing the motor. Luckily he said happens a lot to these 3.8L engines. So after paying him to tow it to his shop, new STARTER, intake manifold and assembly kit, 6 new spark plugs, serpentine belt, coolant system flush, oil change and filter and labor $987.98. A lot better than the $2000 it would of been to replace the motor.
- tanke, Havelock, NC, US