2002 PONTIAC AZTEK

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant loss with no external leaks visible, White smoke from exhaust on cold starts, Milky oil on dipstick or oil cap, Rod knock or bearing noise after prolonged coolant-in-oil condition, Check engine light with misfire codes

Fix: The Dex-Cool gasket deteriorates and leaks coolant into the crankcase. If caught early (just gasket seepage), it's 6-8 hours to replace intake gaskets. If ignored until coolant emulsifies the oil, bearings wipe out and you need a full rebuild or replacement engine: 18-24 hours labor for short block or used engine swap. Many owners don't catch it in time because the leak is internal.

Estimated cost: $800-1,200 for gaskets alone; $3,500-5,500 for engine rebuild/replacement if bearings are damaged

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Pink milkshake appearance in coolant overflow tank, Transmission slipping or delayed engagement, Overheating transmission, Coolant level drops with oily film in reservoir, Transmission failure within days of contamination

Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they pass through the radiator, allowing ATF and coolant to mix. Transmission fluid in the cooling system kills the trans within 50-100 miles typically. Requires radiator replacement, both cooler lines, full trans flush or rebuild, and cooling system flush. If trans is damaged: 8-10 hours for 4T65-E rebuild or replacement plus 3 hours for cooling system work.

Estimated cost: $400-700 if caught immediately (lines + radiator + flush); $2,200-3,800 if transmission is destroyed

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Loud clunk when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle in gear, Visible engine/trans movement when accelerating, Steering wheel shudder during takeoff

Fix: The rear transmission mount (torque strut) is hydraulic-filled and prone to tearing. The front mount also fails but less dramatically. Rear mount is 1.5 hours, front mount is 2 hours due to access. Often both are done together at 2.5-3 hours total since they age together.

Estimated cost: $250-450 for both mounts

Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi

Symptoms: No-start or extended cranking before start, Stalling when hot, Loss of power under load, Fuel smell from tailpipe (regulator diaphragm leak), Check engine light with fuel trim codes

Fix: Fuel pump assembly in tank wears out, or the regulator diaphragm on the fuel rail splits and dumps raw gas into the intake. Pump replacement is 2-3 hours (drop tank). Regulator is 1 hour but often triggers a cascade of misfires from fouled plugs. Replace fuel filter at same time (inline under vehicle, 0.5 hours).

Estimated cost: $450-750 for pump assembly; $180-280 for regulator

Typical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Coolant drips on passenger side of engine, Sweet coolant smell in cabin, Overheating after coolant loss, Visible green residue on throttle body area

Fix: Plastic elbows at throttle body coolant bypass and heater core inlet become brittle with Dex-Cool exposure and crack. Quick external leaks, easy to spot. Each fitting is 0.5-1 hour to replace. Often multiple fittings fail within 10,000 miles of each other. Use updated metal fittings if available.

Estimated cost: $150-350 depending on how many fittings split

Symptoms: ABS light on solid, Traction control light illuminated, No ABS function during panic stops, Erratic speedometer or ABS activation at low speeds

Fix: Wheel speed sensors corrode at connectors (especially rear), or the EBCM (ABS module) develops internal corrosion. Sensors are 0.8 hour each. Module replacement is 1.5 hours but often requires programming. Salt-belt vehicles see this more. Cleaning connectors sometimes buys time.

Estimated cost: $120-220 per sensor; $600-1,200 for EBCM if replacement needed

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Window drops into door or won't raise, Grinding or popping noise when operating window, Door locks cycle on their own or don't lock/unlock, Window off-track or tilted

Fix: Plastic window regulator clips break or the motor wears out. Front doors are 2-2.5 hours each (riveted regulators, drill out and bolt in replacement). Lock actuators are 1-1.5 hours per door. Rear hatch actuator also common, 1.5 hours.

Estimated cost: $280-450 per window regulator; $150-280 per lock actuator