Pontiac Bullplop

[dmurphy]

OK, I just got a call from someone at the Pontiac Customer Service Center ....

I've been trying to get Pontiac to pay to fix the defective lower intake manifold gasket on my car ....

Turns out they agree with me, that my 2000 GA SE2 registered in NJ is in fact covered under the California Emissions Warranty.

HOWEVER, they said, the intake manifold itself (which IS covered under the cali warranty) didn't fail, but ONLY the gasket itself, which is considered separate from the intake manifold.

The warranty says the gasket is covered IF USED IN THE REPAIR OF ONE OF THE ABOVE COMPONENTS.

So they won't pay for it under the warranty ....

Grr.

Now the guy I was talking with is going to go back and see if they can offer some assistance through a goodwill program --- basically because I've taken good care of my car, I've brought it back to the dealer for service and so on, he's hoping Pontiac will kick in for the repair.

I have to say that the individual from the customer service center I've been working with has been very helpful. Even though they won't pay for it, it's (slightly) vindicating to get Pontiac to admit my car has the California warranty coverage ....

I know a lot of you have had the manifold problem --- has anyone had luck with either of these options???

Thanks!

--DM

[99GAGT]

I bought my 99 grand am gt used from a pontiac dealer. It was a GM certified used car. About a week after buying it the check coolant light came on. I seen the intake leaking. Called the dealer made an apointment, and they replaced it for no charge. I had no problem. They didnt try giving me the run around at all. I think it has to do with specific dealerships. Some are good with service and some suck.

[Brother's1999]

DM-How far over the 36 Month / 50,000 mile warranty on the gasket are you?

[dmurphy]

Originally posted by Brother's1999
DM-How far over the 36 Month / 50,000 mile warranty on the gasket are you?

Actually, on the 2000 GA's it's 36 months /36,000 miles.

I'm at 30 months, 69500 miles ...

My problem now is that Pontiac agrees that my car is covered under the California Emissions Warranty, but they claim that the gasket isn't part of the manifold!

They would pay to fix it if the manifold itself failed, but since it was the gasket, they won't...

The Pontiac goodwill program is offering to pay for 1/2 of the repair, which is better than nothing ...

This still shouldn't happen at less than 70k miles.

--DM

[Brother's1999]

Originally posted by dmurphy
[B]Actually, on the 2000 GA's it's 36 months /36,000 miles.

I'm at 30 months, 69500 miles ...

My problem now is that Pontiac agrees that my car is covered under the California Emissions Warranty, but they claim that the gasket isn't part of the manifold!



The Intake Manifold and the Intake Manifold Gasket are both emissions warranty items. Emissions warranty items are have a 36month/50,000 mile warranty on cars under the California coverage . That is the short term emissions defect warranty. As listed in the warranty booklet.

California coverage also includes a long term emissions warranty, and those items are listed in the book. They include the Intake Manifold.

So your gasket failed 19,500 miles out of warranty as stated in the book.

I believe California's idea was to have the extended coverage on the more expensive non-wear parts of the emissions system, and not the less expensive items (ie. gaskets).

Glad Pontiac offered a deal to you.

[dmurphy]

Originally posted by Brother's1999
The Intake Manifold and the Intake Manifold Gasket are both emissions warranty items. Emissions warranty items are have a 36month/50,000 mile warranty on cars under the California coverage . That is the short term emissions defect warranty. As listed in the warranty booklet.

California coverage also includes a long term emissions warranty, and those items are listed in the book. They include the Intake Manifold.

So your gasket failed 19,500 miles out of warranty as stated in the book.

I believe California's idea was to have the extended coverage on the more expensive non-wear parts of the emissions system, and not the less expensive items (ie. gaskets).

Glad Pontiac offered a deal to you.

My argument with Pontiac is that I fail to see how the gasket is NOT a part of the Intake Manifold. The Manifold is warranteed up to 70,000 miles. If oil ends up in my antifreeze, and antifreeze ends up in my oil, and it's because the gasket on the intake manifold failed, I don't see how they can say that the intake manifold hasn't failed...

But now that's the least of my worries. I've already paid for the leaky manifold & timing chain cover -- now I'm looking at another $1000 to replace the rack-n-pinion steering since that's the latest thing to fail.

--DM