Chevrolet Repair: 2001 Chevy Venture - lemon?, chevy venture, condensor

Question
Hi,
I just spent $1400 in repairs last month on my 2001 Chevy Venture for a blown circuit board for the rear tail light, a "burning smell" in the transmission fluid requiring a full tranny flush, and $900 for the infamous GM intake gasket defect replacement (which never received a recall)...all right after the warranty expired (which I didn't extend!)

Now, I had a pound of freon added, and was told the A/C condensor is leaking in the lower corner due to corrosion from the inside out.  I asked why it happened, and was told "they go with age."  There's only 35,000 miles on the car!

1) I was told the condensor replacement cost $1000?  Is that cost reasonable?

2) Is the '01 Venture known to be a dud? Or, do all manufacturers go through this, and it's just a run of bad luck I'm in?

THANKS!
-Mike

Answer
Since I did not have the opportunity to make the original diagnosis on the previous problems I can't say whether you needed these done or NOT.

Maybe they DID and maybe they did NOT need to be done.

Intake gasket is possible.

transmission is skeptical.

Condensor is VERY SKEPTICAL.


Are you SURE that the facility that where the work is being performed is being HONEST or could they just be taking your money for unnecessary repairs ?.

I have no way of knowing this since I did not make the original diagnosis on these problems.

$1,000.00 to replace a CONDENSOR is $500.00 to HIGH. I have YET to see a rusted out CONDENSOR as they usually last the life of the vehicle.


I woyld be very careful with whom your dealing with and get a second opinion.

I have seen dis-reputable facilities actually damage vehicles just to get your money and also have seen work NOT DONE that the customer paid for.

Something just does not SMELL right here.

MAYBE this work did or does need to be done, But I am still skeptical.


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