1999 BUICK CENTURY User Comment / Complaint

There seems to be a large number of lower intake manifold gasket failures (defects) on general motors 3.1l, 6 cylinder gasoline engines manufactured between approx 1995 and 2004 (possibly 3.4l as well per internet wistleblowing website). there are no gm recalls (gm bulletins # 030601010 (march 2003), # 020601014 (01 april 2002), and possibly # vss20030024 (04 march 2003). from the whistleblower internet website, many people including me are on the second very expensive repair due to the failure/design defect of this gasket/design (gm refusing to pay). in my case, at 50k miles there was an external purge of coolant resulting in steam release in the engine compartment. at 91k miles i am now experiencing an external oil leak at that gasket, with possible internal coolant leak per gm dealers analysis (on my receipt). the failure of the gasket seems to permit the mix of coolant and oil inside the engine or an oil leak outside the engine. the mix could seize the engine (dilutes engine oil lubrication) or cause severe and sudden engine and cooling system damage. i did a google internet search on "intake manifold gasket problems" and was shocked at what i found and how many people were on their second round of very expensive repairs for the same gasket failure/defect. "all" gm dealers are well aware of this and are currently charging $800 to $1,100 per gasket/bolt replacement. there was mention on the internet that gm might be seeking legal action against the manufacturer of their special gm coolant (required for gm cars), but i cannot verify that. the internet sites mentioned that the gm coolant might be responsible for the gaskets failing from the inside of the engine (coolant dissolves the gasket). i saw one mention of possible water pump gasket failures due to the coolant. i also "heard" that these gaskets might be made of plastic and cracking, which leads to failure.