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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 23 of 162

#220 of 1617 1999 Chevy Venture-Mixed Feelings by fear_hope

Jul 11, 2002 (8:51 pm)

There are some things to love about this minivan:
POWER-it doesn't hestitate when you step on the gas
STEREO-great sound for a stock system
TRIP COMPUTER-on the standard package
POWER SLIDING DOOR-great when its raining or hands are full(mine or others)
ALLOY WHEELS-on the standard package
SIZE-comfortably seats 7 with plenty of cargo space
25 GALLON GAS TANK-goes for 100's of miles without a fillup
GREAT PRICE!
Then there are the things to put up with:
The exterior's lack of style
All the cheap plastic on the interior
The noisy engine
The difficulty in handling(Odyssey is same size but handles like a much smaller van)
The wind noise
The road noise
GM's attitude that fair to good is good enough, excellence is not required
and the PROBLEMS!
Things that went wrong:
All six fuel injectors were replaced-4 trips to dealer
Complete ignition assembly replaced-3 trips to dealer
Ignition security module replaced-2 trips to dealer
Front end clunk-3 trips to dealer and no resolution
Driveline clunk-dealer can't duplicate and if they could would tell me it is "normal" (according to TSB)
Piston slap-heard right after warranty expired (wouldn't have received anything except an extended warranty on the engine that wouldn't have been honored unless the engine blew up)
Temperature and compass that give erratic readings whenever they feel like it-"fixed" 12/01 and continues to be a problem
Stinky air conditioner/vent-fix was completed, smell is better but not gone
Hard shifts-not yet diagnosed
Air bag light on repeatedly while driving-both front airbag modules replaced-3 trips to dealer
 
Bottom line:
If you don't mind a lot of quirky problems, and some major problems and trips to the dealer(maybe you like to visit with the service writers) and you really love the van's virtues, then purchase with an extended warranty.
If you want a reliable vehicle and peace of mind with few repairs try a Mazda MPV.
My 2 cents worth...

#221 of 1617 Hi Fear_hope by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jul 11, 2002 (9:04 pm)

How many miles on your van now?

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

#222 of 1617 Steve by fear_hope

Jul 11, 2002 (9:13 pm)

54,800 miles, out of warranty since 12/01.

#223 of 1617 Cabin air filter replacement by shifty4

Jul 12, 2002 (7:27 pm)

I seem to remember someone having found a place to buy the pair of pollen filters which reside just behind the glove compartment at a price much better than that available from the GM dealer. For the 97 Silo the Delco filter number is 52470574 and requires two. If anyone remembers this post I would appreciate help in finding it. Thanks.

#224 of 1617 Maybe this post, Shifty4? by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Jul 12, 2002 (7:32 pm)

mizeuml Mar 30, 2002 2:30pm
 
hmmm, on second thought, maybe this one:
 
offham Mar 29, 2002 2:14pm
 

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

#225 of 1617 Thanks to Steve Host by shifty4

Jul 13, 2002 (7:49 am)

These were the cabin filter posts that I was looking for. I scanned the board for over a half hour last night and couldn't find them. Thanks for your help. You are the main reason this is such a great forum.

#226 of 1617 cabin air filters for shifty4 by redwings1958

Jul 15, 2002 (9:55 am)

Try this website
www.autopartsgiant.com
I saw them there for $24
BTW, how often are you supposed to change these
things?

#227 of 1617 to: RayT2 by ems1

Jul 15, 2002 (12:22 pm)

Regarding the piston slap: My '98 Venture developed the piston slap at about 25,000 miles. The dealer pulled the engine rebored the cylinders and fitted new pistons. I think they may have been redesigned, but not sure. I know they had problems getting the parts. The van was in the shop for a week. I have over 50,000 miles now and the engine makes a little noise on cold startups but goes away in about 15 seconds. I would prefer no piston slap but I can live with the slight noise I have now. It was a loud tapping before the repair and lasted for about 1 minute. I just had an oil analysis done and it showed no internal problems.

#228 of 1617 Steering problem, Rack and Pinion failure by greg32

Jul 19, 2002 (8:09 am)

We had our Rack and Pinion steering unit fail at 59k miles. A cap was broken where the steering column bottoms out. This failure has 18 complaints at the NHSTA site! I'm sure other people have had this problem. The mechanic thinks its a bushing inside the rack and pinion unit that is failing. This Chevy mechanic has had to replace a number of rack and pinions lately. NHSTA and Chevy are investigating the problem Be careful since this problem can cause the steering to lock up and potentially cause an accident. We had problems steering to the left. Our Van is a 97 Venture Extended with 59k miles.
 
If you have had the problem please complain to the NHSTA so Chevy will fix this defect.

#229 of 1617 Hello & a question by edmdan

Jul 19, 2002 (6:16 pm)

Hello to all, I have been reading your conversations for a while now and finally I Have ask if anyone else has this problem. On my 2001 Venture (45,000 km) the rear shoulder belts do not allow the user any slack, in fact they continually cinch themselves tighter every time you move until they are so taunt that you have to undo them, retract all the way back and then it will allow you to pull the belt out enough to put it back on! I have tried a couple of "clips" intended to prevent the belt from retracting but they slip, and when you are not using the belt it is hanging in the way/ out the door...you get the picture...
Oh yes, it was suggested to check my manual, but this was a lease-return and the manual was missing...AND THE DEALER has yet to get one! or at least let me know it has arrived. So basically I am flying blind with operation and details about my van.
Other comments, this van runs SO Quietly...I have a hard time telling if the engine is running or not,
unfortunately there is a wind howl above 100 kph from the windshield passenger side and some scary creaks from the body in cold weather but otherwise I am extremely happy with it.

Messages Page 23 of 162

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