1998 Chevrolet Astro engine and engine cooling problems

“DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND DIDN'T PROVIDE WARNING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE BOOK STATES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON TO INDICATE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND SERVICE IS REQUIRED. MALFUNCTIONS OFTEN WILL BE INDICATED BY THE SYSTEM BEFORE ANY PROBLEM IS APPARENT. THIS SYSTEM IS ALSO DESIGNED TO ASSIST YOUR SERVICE TECHNICIAN IN CORRECTLY DIAGNOSING ANY MALFUNCTION. NONE OF THIS WORKED ON THE VAN. *KB”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN HEAT EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING THE FAILURE, THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FLAMES OR SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,349. UPDATED 04/27/12*LJ UPDATED 04/27/12”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET ASTRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BUILT- IN DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND DID NOT PROVIDE WARNING THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND CAUSED ENGINE COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR ABNORMALLY. THE ENGINE MOTOR AND THE INTAKE GASKETS WOULD BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE BUILT-IN DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM WAS NOT OPERATING DUE TO THE VEHICLE'S AGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 08-07-12 *BF”

“WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE BRAKES FAILED, AND POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE BELT TENSIONER FELL OFF. *AK”

“REQUEST ANOTHER VEHICLE (VAN/SUV) AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR RENTAL CARS DUE TO THEIR DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *PH THE SAME DAY THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HE DROVE TWO BLOCKS AND THE VAN STOPPED, THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER WALKED BACK TO CAR LOT AND THE WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE THAT THE MECHANIC HAD CHECKED OVER EVERYTHING COMPLETELY AND TO JUST FILL THE VEHICLE UP WITH GAS. WHEN THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE CYLINDER HEAD, ALSO THE FRONT SHOCKS AND IDLER ARMS WERE REPLACED. *JB”

“"CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE AUTOMOBILE NEVER WENT OFF, WHEN I PURCHASED AUTOMOBILE FROM USED DEALER,LIGHT WAS ON,TOOK IT TO MEINKE, PAID 2,000.00 TO GET SERVICED LIGHT STILL STAYED ON. WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY, NO PROBLEM WITH ENGINE, 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT AUTO , BLEW HEAD, WITH NO, NO , NO INDICATION THAT THE CAR WAS EVEN RUNNING HOT.*AK”