1997 GM Transport - leaked radiator fluid into the spart plugs and caused vehicle to stall

Complaints.com received the following consumer follow-up message on February 2, 2003:

From:

RE: no help from GM

Hi There, Just to give you an update....GM has refused to help me me in any way, Last month I replaced the water pump and This week was informed the cam shaft has broken...It seems this engine is a complete failure and continues to be General Motors Masterpiece...can anyone help me

Dave Highley

Complaints.com received the following consumer message on October 17, 2002:

From:

RE: 1997 GM Transport - leaked radiator fluid into the spart plugs and caused vehicle to stall

To Whom it may concern,

I am very upset and frustrated about How a major automotive manufactuer has treated me. As a loyal customer of General Motors products I purchased a New 97 Transport about 4 years ago. I have babied it from that day on, While on vacation and returning from Cinn Ohio My family and I experienced a hesitation, the van continued to run but was kicking mildly like it had bad gas. Since I had filled my tank in the U S , I thought that was the problem......I stopped outside Chatham Ont on my way home to Mississauga to purchase a gas cleaner hoping it would solve the problem.

I then continued on our way.....several minutes later a yellow radiator warning light came on...I then watched the heat gauge starting to rise. I immediatley pulled over.....we then called CAA for assistance.......Thankfully for the the kindness of the CAA rep who arrived, he assisted my family both my inlaws and my 6 and 7 year old to the next stop to wait for someone to come pick us up.......if CAA had its way I would have left my family on the roadside in the cold winds.

Luckily the driver allowed my wife and my children to continue on to my home to drop the van off so I may tow it for service. Figuring it to be a small electrical or thermostat problem. This tow costed us 200 dollars more than the CAA Plus would allow us , I then towed the vehicle to an automotive service centre......They informed me the vehicle was leaking rad fluid into the spark plugs and that would of been the reason for the hesitation.....

I was stunned a vehicle with 122.000 klms had this problem. WITHOUT WARNING.. They priced me out a replacement engine and labour and just to continue to confirm either head gasket or block fracture was the problem the amount was going to be $600 00...of course while it was there I had to pay them for labour just to determine the problem to this point and they replaced the battery...total cost there was $327.00......I was fit to be tied.. I arranged the vehicle to be towed to a trusted friend of the family who would arrange to repair the vehicle at a cheaper rate ......

I contacted GM the lady I spoke to suggested I have the vehicle brought to a GM dealer for service, RRRIIIGGGHHTTT like my second vehicle is a tow truck, of course I was met with it is not our fault and you are responsible to get it to us....so we may determine the problem and again charge me outlandish charges to determine the problem and then maybe see if they were responsible at all........Like shoot me, a 97 Pontiac Transport with 122.000 klms has this problem.

The people I spoke to through out this problem told me this is unheard of......is there anyone out there with the same problem or who could I contact to help.....if any. GM does not seem to concerned with there quality of product.

Thank You

David Highley

2954 Duncairn Dr

Mississauga Ont

L5M-5V7