I agree that you can get it fixed for about $500 if you shop around. Dealers will want $1500. A local garage replaced my Venture's intake manifold gasket for $500. If you go to a local mechanic, find one that has done the gasket replace before. My mechanic hadn't done a Venture yet, but he had done several other GM V6 intake manifold gaskets.

Steve

 

I agree with that above, or even the $10 stop leak-if it is just leaking.

My folks had theirs (3.8 in a Buick) fail-"flooded" the engine while on a trip 800 miles from home. And they got "soaked" by the dealer $1800 -gasket, plugs, oil all replaced.

 

Well, made my decision today - this is my "third car", which is to say it is used to carry my signs (signmaker), tow the boat, etc. Looked at a 2001 Oldsmobile Silouette, which had a list price back then of $32,000 believe it or not, leather, drop down video, VCR, six headsets, rear air, everything. Said "no" as it's the GM platform with the 3400 and went with my brain. Bought another GMC Safari AWD with 77k on it - 1998. Nice shape and should do what I'm really looking for.
Thanks for everyone's comments. Hopefully it will give me three years or more. They are built like a tank.

 

More like they are built like a Truck.
Good luck with it.