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GM's triplets Venture, Silhouette, and Montana

1617 messages,  Last post on Mar 11, 2013 at 3:33 PM

You are in the Chevy Venture Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Venture, Pontiac Montana, Oldsmobile Silhouette, Van

Messages Page 149 of 163

#1475 of 1617 Re: Should I purchase a 97 Silo? [jkumpire24] by jhirneisen

Apr 17, 2007 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: jkumpire24 (Apr 16, 2007 7:03 pm)
Correction...I have a 1999 Pontiac Montana. The only engine available on this model year was the 3.4 which
Consumers Reports rates as "UNRELIABLE Long-Term"....lot's of repairs especially after the warranty expires.
Earlier Transports/Montanas had the 3.1 litre or 3.8 litre engines. I had one of each...pretty good vehicles. The 3.8 litre V-6 is considered a solid engine. The past 1 1/2 years there has been a 3.6 and a 3.9 litre available...look at Consumers Reports which rates both LOW Reliability.
Jack in Colorado

#1476 of 1617 Re: Should I purchase a 97 Silo? [jrdwyer] by jhirneisen

Apr 17, 2007 (9:09 pm)

Replying to: jrdwyer (Apr 16, 2007 9:17 pm)
Which model years had a
5 year/60K warranty?
Did the 1999 Montana have this warranty?
Jack in Colorado

#1477 of 1617 Olds Warranty by jrdwyer

Apr 19, 2007 (6:00 pm)

After GM announced the discontinuation of Oldsmobile in 2000, they put a 5yr/60 miles warranty on all new Olds products. That is why we bought the Olds Silo instead of the Chevy or Pontiac versions. In 2002, they gave customers the option of $1K cash off purchase or the 5/60 warranty.
 
Also, the Olds was $3-4K cheaper than the highly rated Honda Ody or Toyota Sienna when we bought new in 2001. We are still $2,800-$3,800 (plus interest) ahead of what Consumer Reports recommended! As we don't plan on selling the van, resale value is irrelevant.

#1478 of 1617 Re: Should I purchase a 97 Silo? [jkumpire24] by jhirneisen

Apr 19, 2007 (9:52 pm)

Replying to: jkumpire24 (Apr 16, 2007 7:01 pm)
If you want to view a summary of the Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for your vehicle, go to: http://www.alldatadiy.com/
Then on the right margin it will ask; "Choose Car Year". Enter the year, i.e. 1999.
It will then come back asking for model, etc.
I entered mine; a 1999 Pontiac Montana 3.4 Litre V-6.
I got 3 Recalls and 148 TSBs. Click on: http://www.alldatadiy.com/TSB/49/994902gn.html
to see my results. That's about all you get for free. You will need to subscribe to their service for more detailed info, or find a friend that subscribes.
Good luck.
Jack in Colorado

#1479 of 1617 Buying Used by jrdwyer

Apr 20, 2007 (8:20 am)

Many people look to used American vehicles as a value play. Save a bunch by not paying for new vehicle depreciation and pay less than used comparable Japanese brands. Of course, this assumes the car you are getting used is reliable in order for it to be a good value. Herein lies the problem with the GM minivans.
 
The high number of TSBs relates to engineering or design or manufacturing defects by GM and/or its suppliers when the van was originally put out. The TSBs are generally the solutions to these original defects. Oftentimes, the TSBs include new and redesigned parts. I know this is the case for our new intake manifold gaskets (2nd set) and our new A/C condenser.
 
I would suggest only buying a GM minivan used if you know all the service history of the vehicle. Ideally, this would be a one owner who looked after the vehicle him/her self or had it serviced by the book at the dealer. This is not a good used vehicle to buy from someone that doesn't look under the hood frequently and instead takes it to the cheapest lube shop for oil changes.
 
I have caught two intake manifold gasket failures, A/C condenser failure, A/C compressor failure, and tranny failure early and under warranty because I change my own oil and look at things on a regular basis. This is a high maintenance vehicle that does require attention.
 
As far a longevity, go to Autotrader.com and type in 1997 Chevy Venture/Olds Silhouette/Pontiac Montana and you will see a lot of vans with 100K-200K miles. I plan on getting at least 200K miles out of our van.

#1480 of 1617 Need Some Help With Buying Decision by jkumpire24

Apr 22, 2007 (6:21 pm)

Folks,
 
I would appreciate your help. I am at a loss as what I should do:
 
Which should I purchase:
 
1. 1997 Olds Silhouette GLS, 55K, immaculate shape, most all the extras, $7500
2. 1997 Chevy Astro conversion, also immaculate shape, 77K miles, $8000.
 
The tradeoffs: $600 less, fewer miles for the Silhouette vs. high quality conversion, more plush interior and extras, TV/VCP, better engine, less possible major problems.
 
Carfax is clean on both vans, both are local owners with no major repairs, and are being sold by dealers.
 
I just don't know which one to pick!
 
Thanks
 
Note: Also Posted on another thread

#1481 of 1617 Re: Buying Used [jrdwyer] by jhirneisen

Apr 24, 2007 (2:50 pm)

Replying to: jrdwyer (Apr 20, 2007 8:20 am)
Question: did GM agree to pay for any of the problems with the intake manifold gasket failures after the warranty period? They told me that they did not know of any problems or TSBs for intake manifold gasket failures on my 1999 Montana.
Comment: on the Astro....they have a 4-speed aotomatic transmission which has been having lots of failures.
Jack in Colorado.

#1482 of 1617 Re: Buying Used [jhirneisen] by jrdwyer

Apr 27, 2007 (8:10 am)

Replying to: jhirneisen (Apr 24, 2007 2:50 pm)
The dealer is not telling the truth if they were not aware of the issue of intake manifold gasket failure on 1997-2003? GM minivans. The gasket was redesigned in 2003 or 2004, I believe, to address the high failure rate. So the dealer is keeping quiet so as not to point the finger at GM.
 
Getting GM to help pay for the cost of replacement has been difficult for many people who had the standard 3/36 warranty. Some have gotten assistance and others have not. I can understand why many people have swore off GM after having to pay $800 to fix this problem right after the new car warranty expired. We were just lucky to have the 5/60 warranty.
 
We have not yet had an IMG failure since the second set was put on in Feb. 2006 under warranty.

#1483 of 1617 Door Lock Switches by gat135

Apr 27, 2007 (10:18 am)

I have a problem with a 1999 Venture interior door lock switches. I believe both interior door lock switches work since they will activate the door locks to lock but will not unlock the doors. The door lock motors work since I can unlock the doors with the remotes. Is this a BCM programming problem? Anyone have any clues to search for a cause of not being able to unlock the doors with the door switches?

#1484 of 1617 Re: Oil In Coolant-Manifold Leak by leftyga1 [n7don] by turf

May 13, 2007 (3:05 pm)

Replying to: n7don (Jan 25, 2004 4:52 pm)
Yes I have engine oil in the coolant and coolant in my engine of my 1997 Silhouette. I purchased the van new in 1997 and its been a great vehicle without problems for 150000 miles, 210000 miles if you count the miles towed behind my motorhome. I replaced the lower manifold gasket and the problem was still there. I removed the OEM oil cooler and pressure checked- sure enough the cooler had developed an internal leak that let oil into the engine coolant when running and let coolant into the oil when dormant. I may purchase a short filter thru bolt and eliminate the cooler. I also have a 2003 AWD and it dosen't have a cooler.

Messages Page 149 of 163

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