2001 Monte Carlo 75,000 miles 3.8L V6 plastic intake manifold broke had to be replaced at a cost of $700. This happened before I ever had to have a tune-up on my Monte Carlo. What's wrong with this picture?

- Puyallup, WA, USA

The car would lose power at higher RPM's every now and again before problem became an everyday problem. Then one day a loud bang and car ran horrible. Drove it until it wouldn't hardly stay running. Couldn't figure out the problem. Car gave code for faulty egr valve. Replaced, didn't change anything. The converter had to be replaced, ran better but still not correct. The muffler shop said I had a warped plastic intake, needed to replace. I bought the part and replaced. Still didn't fix the problem completely. Then I was told the intake gasket was faulty. Replaced those, and runs much better. Still not correct, don't know if it is a result from all that was wrong. My complaint is for the converter, plastic intake, and the intake manifold gaskets. The intake gaskets were destroyed from the dexcool anti-freeze installed from factory. I hear many complaints about the plastic intakes and I believe that one of these caused the converter to fail. I have the intake, and the intake gaskets that I replaced. Will keep parts until I get more info on this. Also have all cost info. Did much of the repair on my own.

- Jamestown, OH, USA

Smell of anti freeze, service light on, temp gauge showing no temp and fans running in cold weather.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

Transmission oil leak, grinding noise in the transmission, coolant leak at the lower intake manifold.

- Bluff City, TN, USA

For the past year I have been having problems with engine coolant loss from my car, when I first noticed it I brought it to the dealer's attention and was informed that what I was seeing was a "gasket sealer" and I was normal with a new car; however, 4 months later I am losing coolant from the intake manifold loosing up, after the first repair, where the bolts where simply tightened up it was ok, now it is leaking all around the intake gasket on to the electrical system and transmission. I took the car to the dealer, and was told there was a recall on the Monte carlos for this problem but my engine is not affected I have a 3.4 liter and the recall was on 3.1 and 3.8 engines. I have been going back and forth with the dealer and Chevy usa on this for several months now with no resolution, my car was under warranty when I first noticed this and was told it was "nothing to worry about" now it is not under warranty and the problem is worse I am hoping in writing you this it can be investigated as to why I have the same problem with my car as the other engine sizes but my motor is not part of the repair recall, it is obvious to me that this is a design defect on my motor. The intake should not just come loose from the engine after 20,000 and 40,000 miles should it? the vehicle is a 2001 Chevy Monte Carlo ls with the 3.4 liter V6 auto transmission.

- Tucson, AZ, USA