When a vehicle slips through any one of the many stages of quality
control with a serious performance issue, then the affected consumer would
expect that the manufacturer would have a deep and genuine concern to
investigate why their product has performed below what has come to be
known as an “industry standard”. When an intake manifold gasket leaks
engine coolant on a GM vehicle that is less than 3 years old and has less
than 25,000 miles on the odometer, then this also is an example of
premature, but not unheard of, behavior. If the same engine develops
another leak of the same nature within one year AND 3,000 miles of the
first replacement, AND the service was performed by an AUTHORIZED GM
DEALER, then there is a strong indication that there is an underlying
problem that is no longer under the control of the GM DEALER, but is an
issue that should be directed to the engineers and designers of the
vehicle. Two intake manifold gasket replacements within a 4 year / 30,000
mile period is certainly “sub-standard” behavior from virtually all
mechanics’ and consumers’ point of view and experience, and that a truly
concerned and customer receptive company would, without hesitation,
conduct an investigation as to where the inferior component or procedure
resides. A company concerned about the economy where they conduct their
business and the people that purchase there products on good faith would
expeditiously engage in a thorough investigation… unless, of course, they
already knew where the error existed and were being less than forthcoming
about their discoveries. Well, let’s take the above scenario just ONE STEP
FURTHER. What if the above vehicle was diagnosed by an AUTHORIZED GM DEALER
for the THIRD TIME to have an intake manifold leak of the same nature, with
barely 12,000 miles since the previous replacement and 40,000 total
original miles, on the same well-maintained car, owned by a conscientious
person that was insistent on performing preventative maintenance - would
you then agree that, in all fairness to the affected consumer(s), this
vehicle has NOT met the conditions of a product as described under the
legal definition of “Warranty”, that is, to be a product free of defective
materials or workmanship. This vehicle has NEVER met the requirements set
forth and understood by both parties… not since the day it left the
factory! This vehicle has never been defect free, and has yet to exhibit
the ability to perform through a “normal” mileage AND time period WITHOUT
an intake manifold leak! There is an indigenous defect associated with
this motor, and the experiences described within this paragraph have
unfortunately been my own. My car is a 1998 Pontiac Grand Am 3.1L V6. If
you have had Intake Manifold Gasket failures under warranty and now your
out of warranty but still under 50,000 please email Linda and Paul at  
shameongm@hotmail.com   with a concise brief letter explaining your issue.
Please include what organizations you have filed a claim with, case number
issued to you, and all results of the claim you filed, wheather it's the
BBB, General Motors Customer Service. Please be able to provide proof of
work/repair done at authorized General Motors dealership in regards to
your Intake Manifold Gasket repair. I am gathering information for a class
action suit I am persuing. I have retained a class action lawyer to review
all evidence I can provide to them of my own records and other consumer
records that will substatiate a solid case against General Motors.