1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

THE CONSUMER'S 1987 AND 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO VANS HAD FAULTY ENGINE'S.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAME LOOSE, THE REAR DOOR HATCH BROKE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER SLIPPING AND VALVE BODY WEAR (90000 MILES). *NM

Mileage: 30,000

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE COMMENCED TO LOSE SPEED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THEN 20-25 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR/ EGR VALVE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR/ EGR VALVE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MELTED DOWN. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. *TC

Mileage: 87,470

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE COMMENCED TO LOSE SPEED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THEN 20-25 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR/ EGR VALVE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR/ EGR VALVE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MELTED DOWN. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. *TC

Mileage: 87,470

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE COMMENCED TO LOSE SPEED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THEN 20-25 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR/ EGR VALVE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR/ EGR VALVE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MELTED DOWN. THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. *TC

Mileage: 87,470

TENSIONER BELT ON MY 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN CONTINUES TO MAKE CHIRPING SOUNDS ESPECIALLY AFTER IT RAINS. TENSIONER BELT HAS BEEN CHANGED 4 TIMES AND ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY.*AK

MY PROBLEM IS THAT I HAVE A 1997 CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN WITH 63,005 MILES ON IT AND THE MAIN BEARINGS FAILED. I TOOK IT MY LOCAL DEALER FOR A OIL PRESSURE DROP, AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE BEARINGS WERE BAD. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATING ON THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND THAT CHEVROLET MAY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE BEARINGS, HAVING ISSUED A TSB[87-61-22]. NOW THAT A NEW ENGINE HAS BEEN INSTALLED AT MY COST OF $4600, I AM LOOKING FOR SOME HELP OR INFORMATION ON HOW TO RECOUP SOME OR ALL OF THE COST. I HAVE HAD ALL POSSIBLE MAINTENANCE DONE AND ALL RECALL WORK DONE SINCE 1997. CHEVROLET HAS INFORMED ME THAT SOME RECALL WORK WAS NOT DONE, BUT MY DEALER RECORDS SHOW IT HAS BEEN DONE.*AK

Mileage: 63,005

*OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT* CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE. THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD AND ENGINE. *JG *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CATALYTIC CONVERTER WILL RATTLE MAKING A LOUD NOISE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE: BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT POWER WINDOR MOTORS; REPLACE THE KEY REMOTE, BOTH IDLER ARMS,FRONT BRAKE PAD AT 37,000 MILES, SERPENTIME BELT, POWER STEERING PUMP - REPLACED TWICE, HAD TO FIX OIL COOLER LINES TWICE, REPLACED DISTRIBUTOR/ROTOR; REPLACED LOWER GASKET DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, AND FUEL PUMP MODUAL. ALL OF THIS WAS DONE BEFORE MY CAR HAD 57,000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN VERY FAIR AND REPAIRED AT LOW OR NOW COST. I HAVE HAD TWO TRIPS SHORTENED DUE TO BREAKDOWNS AND HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 ON REPAIRS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY OR BY THE DEALER. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO NORMAL MAINTENANCE (OIL AND FILTER,FOUR NEW TIRES,AND TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER). I AM CONCERNED AS TO "WHAT IS NEXT" AND WHEN THE DEALER WHEN NO LONGER BE ABLE TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS AT LOW COST TO ME.*AK

I HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE: BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT POWER WINDOR MOTORS; REPLACE THE KEY REMOTE, BOTH IDLER ARMS,FRONT BRAKE PAD AT 37,000 MILES, SERPENTIME BELT, POWER STEERING PUMP - REPLACED TWICE, HAD TO FIX OIL COOLER LINES TWICE, REPLACED DISTRIBUTOR/ROTOR; REPLACED LOWER GASKET DUE TO INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK, AND FUEL PUMP MODUAL. ALL OF THIS WAS DONE BEFORE MY CAR HAD 57,000 MILES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN VERY FAIR AND REPAIRED AT LOW OR NOW COST. I HAVE HAD TWO TRIPS SHORTENED DUE TO BREAKDOWNS AND HAVE SPENT OVER $1,500 ON REPAIRS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRENTY OR BY THE DEALER. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO NORMAL MAINTENANCE (OIL AND FILTER,FOUR NEW TIRES,AND TRANSMISSION FLUID AND FILTER). I AM CONCERNED AS TO "WHAT IS NEXT" AND WHEN THE DEALER WHEN NO LONGER BE ABLE TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS AT LOW COST TO ME.*AK

VEHICLE KEEPS DYING ON ROAD. MECHANIC CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE. ALSO, SOMETIMES VEHICLE DOES NOT START AT ALL. CONSUMER CAN BE RIDING ALONG AND VEHICLE CUTS OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SHIFT NEUTRAL OR DRIFT TO THE SIDE, AND GET IT RESTARTED.*AK

CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE LEAKED OIL FROM THE TIMING COVER AND ENGINE OIL PAN. (CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE)*TT

PLEASE SEND ME FRONTAL IMPACT STATS AND SIDE IMPACT STATS IF AVAILABLE--HOW DOES THIS CAR RATE????NO AFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

COOLANT LINE RUBBED UP AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK AND WORE A HOLE IN IT. THE NEW LINE HAS BEEN REDESIGNED TO AVOID THE CONTACT. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY STOPS AND HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 15 TIMES. THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING, READS FULL FOR 20 MINUTES THEN SLOWLY COMES DOWN, DEALER REPLACED THE TANK GAUGE

CHRONIC ENGINE KNOCK THAT IS NORMAL. *AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE, REPLACED TENSIONER AND ENGINE BELT. *JB

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE MAKES LOUD SCREECHING NOISES WHENEVER IT IS MOVING, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. PROBLEM WAS DUE TO 'BELT TENSIONER BREAKING. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 - 15 MPH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW WILL NOT STAY OPEN, CLIPS THAT SHOULD HOLD IT UP ARE BLOCKED BY MATERIAL, WINDOW SLAMS SHUT WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 45000 MILES. *AK OIL LEAK, DEALER ORDERED AXLE OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE CUTTING AND WOULD CRANK, BUT WOULD NOT STAR. OIL PRESSURE GAUGE ERRATIC, DEALER REPLACED OIL PRESSURE SENDER. FRONT BRAKES AND PADS WERE REPLACED, ROTORS WERE RESURFACED. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING, DEALER REPLACED BOTH IDLER ARMS AND RESET TOE IN. POWER DOOR LOCKS INOPERABLE, DEALER REPLACED POWER DOOR LOCK SWITCH. POWER WINDOW INOPERABLE, DEALER REPLACED POWER WINDOW SWITCH. SHIFTER WAS HARD TO MOVE, DEALER REPLACED SHIFT CABLE. GAS PEDAL BINDS AT TIMES, DEALER ORDERED THROTTLE CABLE AND REPLACED ACCELERATOR CABLE. DRIVER SETA SEEMS LOOSE WHEN BRAKING, DEALER ORDERED DRIVER SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED DRIVER SEAT ADJUSTER. PCM FUSE KEPT BLOWING OUT, DEALER REMOVED ENGINE COVER AND TRACED WIRE HARNESS, REPAIRED SHORTED HARNESS AT THE REAR OF THE TRANSMISSION. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH ENGINE WAS MAKING NOISE. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE AFFECTED.TECHNICIAN SAID THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH IDLER PULLEY AND TENSION PULLEY.*AK AFTER EXPLOSION LIKE SOUND UNDER THE HOOD, THE TENSIONER PULLEY DISINTEGRATED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. *YH

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH ENGINE WAS MAKING NOISE. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE AFFECTED.TECHNICIAN SAID THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH IDLER PULLEY AND TENSION PULLEY.*AK AFTER EXPLOSION LIKE SOUND UNDER THE HOOD, THE TENSIONER PULLEY DISINTEGRATED CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. *YH

EVERY THOUSAND MILES, SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON AND VEHICLE RUNS VERY ROUGH, JETS HAVE BEEN CLEANED 4 TIMES ON THE ENGINE. DEALER WAS BLAMING IT ON CHEVRON GAS. CHEVRON HAS SENT A LETTER STATING IT WAS THE POPPET VALVE. DELAER CHANGED ALL 6 POPPET VALVES AND CLEANED THE FUEL INTAKE SYSTEM, AND IT WORKED FOR 5 MONTHS. PROBLEM HAS COME UP AGAIN. *SLC

OCCURANCE 1) ENGINE STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE APPROCAHING AN INTERSECTION. THE RESULTING LOSS OF POWER CAUSED A SEVERE CONTROL PROBLEM WITH THE VAN. THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS THE FUEL GUAGE READ 3/4 AND THE VAN RAN OUT OF FUEL. OCCURANCE 2) THE FUEL GUAGE HAS TOTALLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING, AFTER TOPPING OFF AND PROCEEDING ONTO HIGHWAY I DROVE FOR 1/2 HOUR AT 65, A SUDDEN SLAM OCCURED 2 OR THREE TIMES, APPEARED TO BE THE ENGINE CUTTING IN AND OUT, SLOWED TO 55 AND CONTINUED FOR 150 MILES WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. OCCURANCE 3) VEHICLE HAS NO FUEL GUAGE, I AM TOLD IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY, EVEN IF FULL THE VEHICLE SEEM TO LOOSE CONTROL MOMENTARALLY, AS IF TO LOOSE POWER.

VEHICLE IS LEAKING ANTI FREEZE BETWEEN THE HEAD GASKET AND THE ENGINE DUE TO DEFECTIVE CASTING.*AK TIRES WERE SHOWING HEAL AND TOE WEARING. DEALER OFFERED TO PRORATED TIRES BUT CUSTOMER DECLINED. *YH

FAST ENGINE IDLE, INTERMITTANT, HIGH AMBIENT TEMP. NO "CHK ENG" OR "STORED CODES" VAN WILL INTERMITTANTLY ACCELLERATE TO 45 TO 62 MPH WITH NO PEDAL. SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS. FREQUENTLY MUST USE BRAKES OR LOW GEAR TO HOLD 45-55 MPH DEALERS MAKE EXCUSE OVER WARRANTY WHILE ADMITING IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, BUT NO REAL INTEREST FROM SEVERAL LEVELS OF MGMT. 3 YR PROBLEM, DEALER SERV HAS ONLY SEEN MALFUNCTION ONCE WITH COMPUTER TOOL PLUGED IN BUT SAID "NO PROBLEM INDICATED" WHILE SEEING THE FAST IDLE. CAN I GET AN INCIDENT NUMBER TO TAKE TO THE DEALER?

WAS COMING TO A STOP LIGHT & STARTED TO APPLY BRAKES, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD NO BRAKES. DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC INDICATED THAT EGR VALVE WAS OPENED DUE TO CARBON BUILT UP. BRAKE PROBLEM COULD BE REPAIRED, BUT COULD ALSO REAPPEAR.*AK

AS YOU CAN SEE, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN. THE DEALER NOR CHEVROLET HAVE OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE SAYING THAT AFTER 36,000 MILES THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I AM A SINGLE MOM AND I CANNOT PAY MY CAR PAYMENT PLUS REPAIRS EVERY MONTH. I CANNOT TRADE IT IN BECAUSE I OWE TOO MUCH ON IT. IF I TURN IT IN, I DO NOT HAVE CREDIT TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. CAN YOU ASSIST ME IN ANY WAY? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

ENGINE HAS BEEN CUTTING OFF EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. DEALER CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER AND STOP IN TRAFFIC. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED A WHITE PASTY FUNGUS GROWING WHICH IS EATING THROUGH THE METAL AND CARPET.*AK

IN OCT. 1997 WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE TRANSMISSION SLIPS, FEELS LIKE VAN HAS BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. DEALER REPLACED VALVE BODY,DUE TO A KNOWN PRODUCT PROBLEM.VAN ONCE AGAIN HAD SAME TROBLE IN MAY 2000, DEALER CHANGED VALVE BODY, ALSO STATEDE BECAUSED OF A KNOWN PRODUCT CONCERN. BUT TJIS TIME I HAD TO PAY $672.06. THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS OF NO HELP. EVEN THOUGH THEIR MECHANIC STATED THAT GM HAD SAID TO REPLOACE THE VALVE BODY THE SECOND TIME WITH A NEW DESIGN, SINCE THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK

VEHICLE WOULD BE RUNNING ROUGH & WOULD SHAKE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP & WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THE JETS ON ENGINE WERE PLUGGED UP. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE GASOLINE & COULD BE REPAIRED.

THE CRANK SENSOR WAS REPLACED, DUE TO FAILURE, CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND VEHICLE STALLING. *YC

4 OF 6 CYLINDERS LESS THAN 150 PSI. ONLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER , CHEVROLET, AND EXTENDED WARRANTY SERVICE REFUSE TO HONOR ANY DISCOUNTED OR WARRANTY ON THIS ENGINE THAT WAS MAINTAINED THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP.

BROKEN HOUSING ON BELT.

ENGINE VALVE SEAL FAILED CAUSING VALVES TO STICK WHICH RESULTED IN EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE. *YC

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH WHEN HE SMELLED SMOKE, AND PULLED OVER TO EXIT. THE DOORS AND WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN. CONSUMER HIT THE GLASS WITH HIS SHOULDER AND HAND TO GET OUT, BUT THEN HE HAD TO BREAK THE GLASS TO EXIT. NOTICE LIGHT COMING FROM THE TIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND THEN SAW THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME OUT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. CONTACTED THE DEALER TO FIX THE VEHICLE. *AK

VEHICLE HAS AN ONGOING STALLING PROBLEM. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON NINE OCCASIONS, AND THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FOUND FOR REPAIR. *AK *ML

WHEN THE VEHICLE DIES OUT THERE IS NO STOPPING ABILITIY, WHEN DRIVING AT 30MPH VEHICLE DIES, NO STEERING CAPABILITY, NO NOTIFICATION OR WARNING. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. WAS TOLD OF THIS BY A PASSING MOTORIST- DRIVER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 75MPH. *AK

EGR VALVE FAILED.

WHILE TRAVELING THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT INDCATONS. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK