I backed the van out of my driveway at home and placed the car into drive. As I started to move forward, the gas pedal felt harder than normal but I attributed that to being left outside all winter. I pushed the gas pedal harder to get to car to move forward. And immediately I felt the pedal unstick. At that same moment, the engine raced to full throttle and raced forward with the van continually going faster and faster racing instantly to 50 miles an hour and still accelerating. At the beginning of the sudden acceleration, I tried to apply the brakes but could not stop the van or stop the acceleration. I turned off the ignition and finally braked the van to a stop. This all happened on the side street of my subdivision before I could get onto the main road. Luckily there were no cars or people in my way and I was able to get control of the van without hurting myself or others, the van was brought back to my driveway where it remains. I have not contacted the dealership at this point as I do not want to pay to have this 12 year old van repaired at my cost nor do I ever want to drive this van again.

- Troy, MI, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Chevy Venture. While driving 35 mph the vehicle shut off when approaching a traffic light or stop sign. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. It was towed to the mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the ause of the problem, and recommended the vehicle be diagnosed by the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that there was a bar inside the engine that broke, and therewas also corrosion in the engine. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle currently has 14, 4000 miles.

- Eirds Boro, PA, USA

Ticking begin at around 45000 to 50000 miles on 1998 Venture, soon it needed bearings and rods, the mechanic took off the oil pan and oil was like mud, I have oil changed every 3000 miles, I saw the oil, it was awful, then one day the oil light came on and the service engine light and at around 70000 miles I need new engine, I have always been a General Motors person mainly cherolet, but, as of now, I am thinking it will be a cold day in ---- before I buy another, I see why the foreign motor companies are kicking butt...I am not the 1st to have a problem with the Venture.. I have been told that the maifold is leaking into the oil system there by causing this problem with engines blowing...I do not know what to do, I have 4 children 2 of whom are in college and 2 at home, I can't just race out and buy a new one, which Chevy offered to maybe give me a little off if I wanted to buy a new one.

- Chelsea, OK, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Chevrolet Venture. Two months ago she had to replace the engine due to the cam shaft breaking. She replaced the old engine with a new one. One week later the cam shaft broke again on the same spot as the other. Mechanic said that he had never heard of a hollow camshaft, and that was the way all cam shafts were for this vehicle.

- Pendleton, OR, USA

Driving down the highway my van over heated and stalled with no prior warning. I had to replace my head gaskets, lower intake, all my spark plugs and spark plug wires. I had no leaks that I was aware of. Nothing on the gorund to even suspect a leak. Apparently I was leaking so bad internally that 2 of my spark plugs crapped out and my van refused to run. From what I read this is a fairly common complaint among Venture owners. I really love my van but this flaw will prevent me from buying another one, which I fully intended on doing in a few year. Sorry GM but I'll go with a Honda next time.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

Cam shaft broke while warming up in my yard. 1998 Chevrolet Venture van. I found a tsb that stated that this particular van had an intake manifold gasket problem. I have since found that the dealer never replaced the gasket before I purchased it.it has 56000 miles on it when I bought it and now has 88000 16 monthes later. Talked to a mechanic and was told that camshafts don;T just break unless they are faulty. I am currently negotiating with dealership and they have loaned me a vehicle to use until we come to some kind of agreement.

- Glen, NH, USA

Intake manifold gasket problems on 1998 Chevrolet Venture 3.4L. Dealer informed me at approx. 58000 miles gasket was failing. Replaced 06/02. Same dealer informed same gasket problems at 94000 miles. Have heard of similar problems on other GM products, very common. Would like to see GM held responsible for poor design of gasket, will never buy GM product again.

- Williamston, MI, USA

Problem with the intake manifold casket. The part fails and the allow coolant to leak into the oil pan. This casuse a loss of coolant and wild tempature funcuations. This is a wide spread problem with this part and should be recalled a a defective part. In fact the part has been replaced in more recent GM models. If some one would do a little research you would find that problem is more wide spread than GM is willing to admit to.

- Oxford, OH, USA

The engine's head gasket failed on 2 separate occasions. He second time this occurred it destroyed the engine.

- Columbia, MD, USA

'98 Chevy Venture only has 51,000 miles and has been maintained regularly by dealer. Recently had intake manifold gaskets replaced due to leak of coolant into crankcase at a cost over $1,000. Engine is knocking and now needs replacement with expected cost of over $5,000. So far, no financial consideration given by GM.

- Richboro, PA, USA

While driving the vehicle jerked back and forth. Dealer stated there was a crack in the crankcase.

- Detroit, MI, USA

1998 Chevrolet Venture manifold leak. The coolant level was down quite often.

- Unknown, DC, USA

I purchased a 1998 Chevrolet Venture new for approximately $27,000. After 4 1/2 years I had to replace the lower intake manifold gasket at a cost of about $500. I maintained the vehicle to the manufacturers specifications even changing the oil every 3 to 4000. On labor day 2003, a little more than 5 years after I purchased the vehicle, I broke down returning from a family vacation with the car packed and my three kids. The car had to be towed to the nearest Chevrolet dealer. 75 miles from home. Bottom line the cam bearings spun in the engine and the dealer said the car was worth $300 as is. It needed a new engine at a total cost of $6150. GM customer service agreed that this was premature engine failure but that the engine had 72,000 miles and according to GM the life expectancy of that engine is only 100,000 miles. They said I got almost 75% of the engines expected life and they offered me 25% of the cost incurred by me to install a new engine. GM needs to recognize that the faulty gasket on the lower intake manifold caused this problem by allowing antifreeze to enter the engine. GM should have reimbursed me the cost for the gasket replacement and the engine. Normal wear and tear I expect, but to have a vehicle worth about $7,000 one day and $300 the next is not fair. I will never buy another GM product as long as I live and I will let as many people I know how GM stands by their product.

- Tillson, NY, USA

I recently purchased a used 1998 Chevrolet Venture. Upon checking the fluid levels yesterday, I noted that the coolant level was low, and the coolant appeared to be contaminated (probably by oil). This, coupled with abnormal temperature fluctuations and an odd tinge on my oil dipstick caused me enough concern to do a little research. I've found thousands of testimonials from GM owners, especially of the 3.1 and 3.4 liter V-6, who have suffered from a leaking intake manifold gasket. The damage ranges from a six hundred dollar repair bill to ejected rods/cracked heads/complete engine failure. This is obviously a widespread defect, and engine failure in any type of traffic is obviously a safety concern, especially in a family vehicle such as a minivan. I am currently looking for information regarding accidents caused by this defect. My complaint is the commonality lack of support for this problem, given the fact that GM is clearly aware that it exists (both by technical bulletin and the fact that all four of the local GM service departments I called recently referred to the problem immediately). It is unbelievable that a recall has not occurred on this poorly engineered, inherently dangerous "dex-cool" coolant system, when it corrodes engine operating parts and support structures, often undetectable in the lower engine area until catastrophic material failure.

- Athens, AL, USA

2 fuel pumps, now motor.

- St.Louis, MO, USA

The intake manifold gasket leaked coolant onto the engine, which resulted in engine failure.

- Appleton, WI, USA

1998 Chevrolet Venture van 3400 dex coolant engine, intake manifold gaskit & head gasket left us stranded on the side of the freeway with 3 children in busy July 4th traffic, had to be towed home and call for someone to pick my self and children up while my husband waited for a tow truck. From the research we have done this is a common problem with this engine that Chevy will not publicaly admit too even though they have redesigned the intake manifold system for the new vehicles.

- Columbus, OH, USA

We had a manifold gasket on our 1998 Chevy Venture go bad earlier this year. It leaked anti-freeze into the oil. It appears that the anti-freeze leaking into the engine oil has caused failures in the strength of the crankshaft. And since this site does not combine similar problems, it may appear that there are just a few problems with the cooling system, gaskets and crankshaft on the 1998-2000 Venture vans. You need to look at all the cooling system problem reports. Now the crank shaft has broken. We have learned that of others have had the same problem with this van. The local dealership has told us it will cost over $5,000 to repair/replace the engine. I have had many different types of cars in the past, one Nissan maxima we have now has almost 200,000 miles, with no engine repairs like this. I believe GM has had a major defect with the manifold gasket and cooling system on this van and has avoided a recall for this defect. We were just told to "have a nice day" by rose uhl and christy hardcastle of "GM customer service". I think a $5,000 repair bill is something to make complaints about on a van that cost $23,000.

- Greer, SC, USA

Engine continues to shake real bad and stalls out. The service engine soon light comes on the car wont start. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis**770115

- Westerville, OH, USA

The service engine light illuminated and the vehicle started to run roughly, it was discovered the head gasket which was supposedly done previously was never done. Also the head light bulb was replaced

- Bellmore, NY, USA