Last winter I left my 2000 Chevrolet Venture van (with a 3.4 liter V6 engine) idling for about 10-15 minutes while I worked outside it. When I got back inside, the heat gauge was about 3/4 the way to hot, and neither of the (2) electric radiator cooling fans were running. The engine ran cool for normal unconjested traffic after this. In mid summer the heat gauge again went 3/4 hot while I was in slow moving stop-and-go traffic. To prevent heat damage, I ran the heater full blast in mid 80's weather; -no fun! I troubleshoot the radiator fans control system and found that the PCM (power-train control module; (computer)) wasn't working properly. I replaced the PCM myself with an after-market, reflashed (reprogrammed with GM up-to-date software) unit, but I couldn't get the PCM to do its 'crankshaft variation relearn procedure' with my equipment, so I took the van to my GM dealership to have it done, and also to have the cooling fans tested. My dealership tested the fans and found they now worked, finished the PCM work, but they also said that it overheated and blew coolant right out of the reservoir; they diagnosed it with blown head gaskets on both front and rear parts. (it doesn't sound blown, have coolant in the oil, or put exhaust in the coolant that I can see.) they quoted $1147.50 labor & $390. Parts, & whatever it cost for a machine shop to correct any head warpage, to correct the problem. They also advised my wife (who brought in the van), that the van should not be driven until the head gasket problem is fixed. I have talked with several people who told me that most everyone who had this 3.4 liter GM engine has had to have the head gasket replaced. One person said that they thought the government should do something since the problem appears to be so wide spread. I suspect that the PCM failing to turn on the cooling fans was what caused this head gasket failure in my case. Do you have other people reporting head gasket problems?

- Pittsfield, NH, USA

I had my radiator flushed and was told that there seemed to have oil in my coolant. I was told by our mechanic that the head gasket had started to disintegrate, which was causing the coolant to leak into the oil. He said this was a common problem with dexcool which is the recommended coolant to be used in our van. If GM recommends that this coolant be used, then they should have to pay for the repairs. Which is going to cost us about $800 or more if our engine blows. When we finally do get the problem fixed we will not be putting the red dexcool back in it, we are switching to the green, it was recommended by our mechanic. We can't afford to fix this problem right now we have to wait for tax refunds, because my husband is a disabled vet and we are on a limited income.. shame on GM for taking advantage of their consumers like this, and I can see from all the complaints listed here they have known about the problem for quite some time.

- Lexington, KY, USA

- the contact called to file a complaint about the service bulletin she found on our website, #030601010 dated 03/01/03. The contact states that her 2000 Chevrolet Venture has had the same repair that the service bulletin refers to. The repair was done on 12/21/06 for the lower intake manifold, and the repair cost the contact $696.07. The contact does have her repair order.

- Trenton, MI, USA

Fuel system is not connected correctly which causes the fuel to mix and to drain. The head gasket blew off because of this.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

At approximately 47,000 miles there was determined to be a consumption of coolant, with no leaks outside of the engine. There was then a leak that started outside of the engine a few hundred miles later. Vehicle was taken to dealer for repair ($800) of the intake manifold gasket. Upon research on the internet it was determined that this failure is very common to the GM V6 engines (which the service manager confirmed). This needs to be a recall!! GM is aware of this with technical service bulletin 03-06-01-010.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

I own a 2000 Chevy Venture with 52000 miles. I recently noticed small puddles of anti-freeze on my garage floor. I immediately took my van to my mechanic and he states that a leak is coming from the manifold intake gasket. I discovered this is an ongoing problem with GM vehicles with this type of engine and numerous complaints have been filed. GM knows of this manfacturer defect but fails to act in repairing this problem. This is a serious safety issue and can cause major engine problems if not repaired if other damage has not already occured due this manufacturer defect. The out of pocket cost to the consumer is seven hundred dollars on up.

- Rochester, NY, USA

Just another Venture with faulty intake manifold gasket. Also had short in fuse terminal block. Last Chevy I will own.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

Purchased a new Chevy Venture van in may of 2000, at 19,000 miles it the intake manifold gasket needed to replaced. Work was performed under warranty at the same dealership. Now at 42,800 miles, the same gasket is leaking again. Although, I purchased the extended warranty in May 2000, they say someone called & cancelled the warranty a year ago. How can they avoid the huge number of complaints concerning this problem with no recalls?

- Mckeesport, PA, USA

When I bought this 2000 Chevrolet Venture van I purchased the mfg.extended warranty up to 75,000 miles. Right after the extended warranty ran out, the van developed a serious head gasket leak and the transmission has been going crazy. I checked around and found out that both these problems are very common on the Venture van! I call the mfg. And was told they would not help! this is the reason buyers feel that they made a mistake buying american made vehicles. These are problems that have occurred in many instances and the mfg. Knows this and are not willing to do a recall. I should have bought a Toyota. General Motors knows these problems exist and are due to poor workmanship and do not care about owner loyalty or retaining their customer base for future sales. Both of these problems are more widespread than what is documented due to lack of reporting.. please help!!!

- Hendersonville, TN, USA

2000 Chevy Venture - 56000 miles ntake manifold gasket - leaking oil into the radiator and anti- freeze in the oil. Epair cost of $900 to fix - spoke to GM assistance and since I do not visit the dealer on a regular basis - there will be no compensation on this repair. This is a issue that has affected a lot of GM vehicles with the 3.4L engine. There are postings on the interent inregards to complaints of this failure.

- Whitehall, OH, USA

While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The dealer replaced the delco battery. The technician indicated that the intake manifold gasket broke and needed to be replaced. Before the battery was replaced the vehicle was jump started by aaa, however the battery failed again, aaa had to be called again and upon inspection it was found the positive post had separated from the battery.

- Nashua, NH, USA

When completely stopped, the vehicle raced and immediately lunged foward as soon as the brake pedal was released. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 6/19/2003 and the consumer was informed the intake manifold gasket had a leak.

- Mount Laurel, NJ, USA

Intake manifold gasket fails, permitting loss of coolant, coolant in oil, oil in coolant. Expensive (labor intensive) to repair. GM has since redesigned gasket (seemingly acknowledging defect). Problem is know to be widespread, affecting many models and years. Can cause sudden, catastrophic engine failure.

- Oxford, MI, USA

I have had a 2000 Chevy Venture for 39 months and 45,000 miles. It has developed, as I have heard many others, a intake manifold gasket leak. While just out of warranty, and obviously a defect as it is affecting so many vehicles, the dealer will not cover any of the repairs because it has not been recalled by GM. With the vast number of failures of this part, this is obviously a design flaw that needs to be recalled. The worst part of this defect, is there is no warning that it will happen and once it has leaked coolant into the engine, there is no guarantee the future life of the engine has not been compromised. Please assist us in forcing GM to own up to their responsibility and take care of this problem.

- Englewood, OH, USA

Engine is making a very loud knocking noise. Dealership only listened to vehicle, and determined noise to be a ticking noise that was coming from air conditioner. Consumer stated that ticking occurred when air conditioner was on or off. She did not feel that noise was coming from air conditioner. *note: Consumer's husband discovered oil leaking from engine head gasket. Dealership stated that this was normal, and should not be considered a problem. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

Vehicle cuts off while driving and at stops - when this happens vechicle will crank but not start. Security light will flash when this happens. Gives no warning when shutting off.

- Mitchellville, MD, USA