8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $570
- Average Mileage:
- 114,650 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 8 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace water pump, repair oil cooler, flush coolant (3 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
- replace intake manifold (2 reports)
- replaced intake gasket, thermostat, radiator cap, and flush (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Pontiac dealer.
I bought this car used from Classic Motors in Fayetteville, N.C. Driving it the first day after purchase it overheated. This is the beginning of a nightmare.
- Dianna E., Fayetteville, NC, US
I should have read this blog first and saved a ton of money and time. I have been working on cars for many years, and kept up hope that the problem should be routine fix. I lost allot of Brownie points with my wife over this van.
Problem:
overheating, and the upper and lower radiator hoses seemed to be under way to much pressure, heater would blow cold,
Action:
this is what I did to try and fix it; after four new thermostats (progressing from least to most expensive and of different temperatures and brands, FYI removing the thermostat is a nightmare and I have unfortunately become quite good at it), installed new water pump, removed and flushed the radiator (yea fun), checked fan relays and fans, after all this the radiator hoses seemed to still build too much pressure and the van still overheated, I then took the thermostat out completely, I concluded there must be an internal engine clog, after having read this blog I can see how a faulty intake gasket could have clogged the engine. I do not think I will be fixing it any further, I think I will walk away and never buy another GM again.
- mobomonkey, Cedar Hill, TX, US
This is the second time in 3 1/2 years the intake gasket has to be replaced. The costs were between 450.00 - 550.00. Our mechanic has called GM several times and reported this as a defect to no avail.
- hastingstn, Paris, TN, US
found out at 75,000 miles that at 68,000 my intake had cracked. Talked to several mechanics including a GM parts person (off the record) and have been told there are major problems with the plastic intakes cracking. Each of these certified individuals feel this is a manufacture defect. I don't understand why GM is not recalling these intakes. I spoke to GM at least 5 times and each time they told me they could not help me with my repairs. So, I won't be helping them by purchasing another Pontiac or GM product, so THERE!!!!!
- telkert, Loretto, TN, US
My wife wanted this Montana...P.O.S.....Never cared for Pontiac products and now I know why...It was a gut feeling.....Starting loosing the coolant and then it got into the oil....I tore into it and found a failed intake gasket....It was the rear gasket...What a surprise....I have had no problems with this vehicle other than the gasket but it is enough for me to never buy another Pontiac product EVER...Hey GM I want my money back......I mean we all want our money back.....
- Rick M., Vandalia, MI, US
My 1999 Pontiac Montana gets very hot and sometimes overheats. After reading some of the other complaints online, I am in the exact same situation as everyone else with the cooling problems. I would not buy another GM product if they can not own up to their failures. I will surely by a Japanese car!
- darryl walker al, Phenix City, AL, US
Car was bought used on 2/20/03. two months later (4/1/03) the engine overheated. the car was under extended warranty, but I was charged for $240 for parts.
- Robert M., Miami, FL, US
I wish I would have realized the problems with this van before I bought it. We were driving down the interstate and I noticed my temp was rising. Yep it overheated we were able to milk it to a gas station and when we stopped antifreeze was pouring out. So we took it in and they said it was a intake gasket so they fixed it and the same day I got it back it overheated. So he took it back and flushed the system and put in a new thermostat. Oh i get it back and what happens but oh ya you guessed it overheated again so back it went. It seemed to be a stuck thermostat because it wouldn't heat and then it would and if i shut it off waited a minute and started it again it would be fine. So he tried another thermostat and then a new radiator cap and yep still overheating. I am really having a hard time cause I travel to school and my husband works nights so i cant use his truck with the different hours. I don't know what to do next.
- Rosy H., Owatonna, MN, US