NHTSA Complaint #10072711 — 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

I HAVE OWNED 2 1996-1997 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN AND HAVE HAD THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAK ON BOTH AT ABOUT 85000 MILES. I DID A LITTLE LOCAL RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE VORTEC 5.7 ENGINE. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT A COOLANT LEAK FROM THE ENGINE AREA, THE SERVICE WRITER SAID THIS WAS MOST LIKELY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BECAUSE THEY GET THAT ALL THE TIME. TOAY, I NOTICED A COOLANT PUDDLE IN MY DRIVE WAY AND UPON LOOKING INTO IT, MY LATEST 1996 SUBURBAN WITH A VORTEC 5.7 IS LEAKING AT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS IS A COSTLY PROBLEM TO THE CONSUMER. IT COSTS APPROXIMATELY $500.00 TO HAVE THIS DONE. I NOW MUST MAKE THE DECISSION TO HAVE IT FIXED AT THE DEALER FOR $500 OR TO DO IT MYSELF FOR ABOUT $150.00 AND A DAY OF HEADACHES. *AK