1997 Buick Lesabre: engine overheating

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · Engine · 103,000 miles · IL

We were driving and heard it missing and it started overheating, so we put more water in and decided to come home. So when we turned around it died 2x then the cylinders locked up and it wouldnt start. When we got home my husband found water in the intake and the oil. So we replaced the intake gasket and put it back together and it did it again, but then it made a loud noise and we found that the bar connection the piston to the crank shaft busted. The car only has 103,k miles on it.. Dont understand how its even possible. The only other person that owned it was an old guy. We only put 300miles on it when this happened.

Filed Jul 23, 2010 · Fuel system · 56,844 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick lesabre. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a coolant leak. An authorized dealer stated that they needed to remove the engine in order to repair the coolant leak. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The contact stated that the failure recurred and began to stall only in the morning. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure after two attempts. The vehicle was take to a local mechanic who stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact paid $850 to have the vehicle repaired and was still experiencing the failure. The contact also had the vehicle inspected by a third mechanic who also stated that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,844. The current mileage was 58,000.

Filed Oct 16, 2006 · Engine · 155,483 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 60 MPH on the highway, the vehicle overheated and was maneuvered off the road on two occasions on the same day. The vehicle was turned off to cool down, while water and anti-freeze was added to the radiator. After the second occurrence, the vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who replaced the plenum.

Filed Oct 7, 2005 · Engine · 130,104 miles · TN

Dt: while driving 30 MPH the check engine light came and the engine overheated. This was the first incident of this type. The contact owns a buick lesabre that has a plastic intake called a plenum. This device cracked and allowed engine coolant to be mixed with the oil. This caused a vapor lock. Now, two of the cylinders show zero compression, and a third shows a pressure of 60 pounds. The engine was totaled and must be replaced. Vehicle was towed to an automobile repair shop, and the mechanic made these terminations. The contact was referred to a buick dealer, who said they do not feel that this was a manufacturing defect. At this time, no repairs or corrections have been made.

Filed Feb 23, 2004 · Engine · 68,000 miles · MN

Coolant leak at upper intake plenum on 1997 buick at 68000 miles dealer stated that gm is aware of this problem but are not helping with cost of repairs.$633.64.

Filed Oct 2, 2003 · Engine · NY · fire

While starting and without prior warning vehicle blew up due to the plastic manifold attached to the top of the engine, overheating., smoke was visible inside the car. There were no injuries nor fatalities to report. Dealer was aware of the problem.

Filed Jun 17, 2003 · Fuel system · 81,000 miles · WV

Engine stalled and then started "using" antifreeze and overheated. The upper and lower intake manifolds were cracked and the local gm dealer couldn't diagnose. An independent mechanic referred to recall#97-c-02 gm (the federal safety agency #96v116000), and went right to the problem. Gm denies a defect or prior knowledge of problems. See complaint #758801, this is addressed in the recall and personal injury warning given to gm mechanics. Public not warned or reimbursed.

Filed Jun 11, 2003 · Engine · 90,963 miles · MN

Engine coolant destroyed engine due to the degradation of upper intake mainifold materials around the egr stove pipe. Without warning(no warning lights went on) while on the road coolant entered the pistons through the degradated upper intake manifold and caused engine failure. This could have caused a major accident as power was lost and speed dramatically dropped. Seems to be obvious engine design flaw in 3800 v-6 engines produced by gm in buick lasabres, riveras, regals, oldsmobile 98s, 88s. Intrigue, pontiac bonnevilles, grand prix, & chevrolet luminas, monte carlos over a period of years dating from 1995-1998 when they changed the manifold design. A service bulletin by gm #01-06-01-007a in july 18, 2001 indicated the gm is aware of defect and has since produced a different manifold to replace and repair problem but will not stand behind these engines when they fail without warning. Gm has been uncooperative in this matter. All repairs to this car are documented with biliings, etc by certified gm service dept. Including oil changes and preventitive maintenance. This was a well maintained vehicle with a service history that can be documented. I have pictures of the inside of the engine where damage occurred.the gm service dept. That replaced damaged engine indicated that they had 3 other vehicles with the same engine damaged because of coolant leak through the degradation of the intake manifold in that one month time frame. This is a small dealership and they indicated that this was a indicator of a major problem with this component.

Filed Apr 15, 2003 · Engine · 161,000 miles · MI

Erratic engine performance and occasional "check engine" light reported several weeks ago when vehicle was in for minor repair. Independent delco garage owner indicated stored codes were for "o2 sensor" - however it appeared to be functioning normally at that time. On friday 4/11/03, erratic engine performance (missing, loss of performance) caused me to head towards garage for further investigation. En route, vehicle stalled out, and refused to restart (at one point, a back fire occurred during restart attempt. Had vehicle towed to garage, and during subsequent inspection, it was discovered the heat from the "egr" pipe from the lower intake manifold had damaged the upper composite manifold, causing a coolant leak into the intake. Stored codes at this time indicated o2 sensor, misfire and catalytic converter. Owner indicated these readings were consistent with his experience, and informed me that they have replaced at least a dozen to 18 upper intakes in past 18 months. Quoting him "we're just a small garage". I have also been told that when he called local gm dealership (to inquire on availability of parts) he was told "we have so many of these in stock that we can't even put them up on the shelves they are stacked in the aisle." what is most disconcerting is when I called buick division general motors corp customer assistance center I was told by kevin dam (sp?) and darlene vega (sp?) that there was no known complaints, investigations or recalls regarding this problem. After reviewing this site and your investigation(s) - someone is grossly misinformed! And it appeared the manufacturer may even be participating in denial and/or misrepresentation in this matter. My inquiry (complaint or whatever they call it) was given the number 1-89860067. It seems to me that we all have a ticking bomb on our hands ... Unfortunately, I drive it to work each day! Can you help me?.

Filed Feb 28, 2003 · Engine · 88,000 miles · IN

Upper intake manifold cracked resulting in coolant leak into cylinders. Coolant leak caused motor to hydro-lock making vehicle inoperable. Both upper & lower intake manifolds were replaced.

Filed Nov 19, 2002 · Fuel system · NJ

The consumer states that the intake manifold warped resulting in a coolant leak, also resulting in a repair costing $655.00. The consumer states that gm would not acknowledge a manufacturing defect nor offer financial assistance because the vehicle is out of warranty. The consumer elected to participate in the promotion of the petition and is signee #570, based upon the failure of the intake manifold in this vehicle, as well as the high incidence of failure reported by other gm consumers. Due to the nature of the failure, there appears to be a potential for significant safety hazard which may impact the general population. The consumer attached a copy of the warranty and owners assistance manual which states that the intake manifold is guaranteed 7 years or 70k miles in the state of california due to the emissions standards in that state. The consumer adds that; to his belief that by the virtue of this statement, that gm has defined the projected life of this vehicle part regardless of the state of residence. (the federal safety agency# 96v116000)

Filed Nov 29, 2000 · Engine · MD

In june of this year when I went in for an ordinary oil change and was told that the serpentine belt needed to be replaced, which was done on june 19th and cost us $131. Since then it has been one thing after another, the gas gauge stopped working and to repair that plus the oil change and automatic transmission service that ran us $764. On october 20th after getting into the car and starting it, the temperature light came on, and I immediately took it to your service department. That was the egr valve which was $313. Then six days later on october 26th the car started to overheat when I pulled into my garage, after letting it cool we checked the coolant jar and there was nothing in it. We added water then took it straight to your service department, this time they had to replace the intake manifold which cost us $391. In between these happening I took the car in to have the brakes checked and they told me that the front brakes and the two rotors had to be replaced. We took it to another garage and had them check them since they had only been replaced less than one year before and had less than 15,000 miles. We were told there was nothing wrong with the front brakes. While road testing the car on november 25th the engine cut out and the oil light came on. When the car was started up the oil pressure went all the way down. It was taken straight to your service department and left there until it was checked on monday the 27th. We were told that the engine needed to be replaced and the cost was going to be $3,400.