NHTSA Complaint #10058884 — 1998 CHEVROLET TAHOE

I HAVE A 1998 TAHOE (PURCHASE NEW FROM EDMARK CHEVROLET IN NAMPA, IDAHO) WITH A 350 VORTEC WITH 42,000 MILES. I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT I AM LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEAR THE REAR FIREWALL. A VERY REPUTABLE MECHANIC SAYS THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR THIS ENGINE AND WILL COST AROUND $400-$500 TO FIX. WHILE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 6 YEARS I AM AM UPSET THAT A $34,000 CAR WITH ONLY 42,00 MILES HAS A PROBLEM WHICH IS DEEMED TO BE "COMMON". IF IT IS COMMON, AND I SUSPECT IT IS, WHY DOESN'T GM POST A BULLETIN AND OFFER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. IT CERTAINLY WASN'T CAUSED FROM ABUSE OR NEGLECT. THIS SAME CAR LAST YEAR WITH AROUND 36,000 MILES ON IT HAD TO HAVE ITS ALTERNATOR REPLACED AT A COST OF $350 AND A LEAKING GAS TANK WHICH COST ME $450. THESE REPAIRS SEEM REDICULOUS TO ME CONSIDERING THE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE, THE LOW MILEAGE, AND THE GENERAL OVERALL CARE. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. FRANKLY, I ENJOY THE VEHICLE TREMENDOUSLY AND IT FITS MY LIFESTYLE PERFECTLY. HOWEVER, HAVING SAID THAT I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP POURING MAJOR DOLLARS INTO THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY GUY AND WOULD LIKE TO REMAIN ONE. I HAVE BEEN LOYAL AND WOULD APPRECIATE CHEVY BEING LOYAL TO ME BY REPAIRING MY COOLANT LEAK AND REIMBURSING ME FOR THE OTHER PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED EXPENSES. *AK