The other day I posted that my daughter got a '99GPGT and needed a owners manual. Well, yesterday she called me and said the check engine light came on as she pulled into the bank parking lot. She said the car then ran rough and then stopped. She called the dealer where she got the car (last Monday) and they sent a tow truck. When she got to the dealer to get a rental, they told her she ran the car too hot. She stated the gauge never went higher than 200*. They also said there was antifreeze in the oil (sounds like blown head gasket to me, or cracked block). She put a total of 400 miles on the car. Car had a 1000 mile, 30 day warranty, but they told her if it was her fault, she was responsible for fixing it. Any suggestion what she,we should do??

It wasn't her fault, call the dealer and explain to them about the UIM failure with the L36 engine, since it was most likely what caused it. Don't let the dealer rip her off.

That'* crap. A 1,000 mile warranty is a 1,000 mile warranty. The UIM and/or LIM gaskets failed. Pretty much a sure bet.

The car clearly had a Mechanical failure and we all know she didnt cause it. Do some research on the laws pertaining to used cars in your area to better prepare yourself for the dealership woes that are headed your way.

Also read the fine print of the 1000 Mile Warranty.

Get a lawyer

Read this article in techinfo to get up to date and be armed for their arguments.

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

Most states have a Lemon Law. The car is covered, by law, for 30 days, warranty or no warranty....

Personally, I'd print this out
http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...e=article&k=38

And read it, while you are at it to familiarize yourself with what happened to the car. The problem is 99% a failed upper intake, caused by the EGR gasses abusing the upper for years.

As well if you search the 92-99 mechanical section you will find post after post about how there is not usually an overheating issue when this occurs because of the speed in which it happens is usually very quick.

If necessary have the car towed to another dealer for another opinion. However they will need to pull the upper intake off the car to verify the problem. Nearly any GM dealer that sells a car with the 3800 in it should know of this issue.

For a little insight on how to handle a dealership that is giving you a hard time (and a laugh) find the post by Charliemax that is currently ongoing as his car has suffered the same issue.

The only way I would take it to a GM dealer, is if they will Honor your warranty, but if you bought it at a non GM delaer, then you pretty much cant have anyone else work on the car, even to investigate, since it more than likely will void whatever warranty you have left.

Then there is the Lemon Law which indicates that the dealer has three repair attempts to fix the problem which at that point they can charge you the first hundred dollars of each attempt or something to that effect.


Do some research and get some facts together. It Sux when you have things like this come up, especially when you just got the car.

Cars without problems don't run too hot. If it ran too hot, a fan failed or a fuse... or... the UIM failed (or maybe the LIM gaskets) - which is what really happened. This is exactly what is happening to CharlieMax right now.