1998 Buick Lesabre: engine overheating

Filed Oct 9, 2012 · Engine · 86,240 miles · AR

The vehicle acted like it had a miss, the service engine light came on, flashing, then stopped flashing but remained on. I drove vehicle home, and the next morning it would not start. I had it towed to a shop and the mechanic said that it had hydro locked due to coolant dripping on the piston from a coolant leak at the intake manifold. This is not a cheap repair.

Filed Mar 25, 2009 · Engine · 41,000 miles · SC

Bought a used (2 owner) buick lesabre in dec '08 having 37,428 . In early march, '09, after less than 4000 miles, started hearing a brief gurgling when engine turned off. In mid-march, while pulling onto a highway from a slight upward grade the vehicle lost power, and a drive train vibration took place for a few seconds....nearly causing an oncoming truck to collide with us.took vehicle into a national franchised transmission dealer for checkup...transmission checked ok. However, technician discovered radiator fluid in manifold intake area. Suspecting leaking intake manifold seal and/or cracked intake manifold cover. Need to use the vehicle, but have to wait for repair until money can be put together. Am a disabled ex marine,vietnam vet.. Shouldn't have to put up with this problem, especially when it looks like a very prevalent one ,based on what is on the net. Replacement part is only 140.00 through a national parts company. The auto shops are quoting over 800.00 to fix. C'mon, let's get something done about this before someone is killed!!! Haven't you noticed the power failures in some of the reports??I would think gm would do a volunteer recall, rather than risk reputation, and consumer life&limb. The problem is that gm was using havelin's 'orange' antifreeze (dextrol) and it was faulty. It was congealing in the engine, disrupting coolant flow, thereby causing overheating enough to blow intake manifolds and/or gaskets........seems the 8 auto tech's I've talked to over the past week know this. So, why don't the industry and gov."experts"???

Filed Aug 3, 2006 · Engine · 79,000 miles · LA

Intake manifold burned at egr passage adjacent to throttle body coolant passage(all plastic- original design was probably cast aluminum). Subsequent coolant loss into engine air intake causes erratic operation and probable engine damage. Replaced manifold with new one at a cost of $500 parts plus 5 hour. Labor complained to gm but to no avail.

Filed Jul 9, 2006 · Engine · 50,000 miles · NJ

Intermittent small leak of anti-freeze/coolant that shows up on the garage floor. Have traced that it emanates from the top of the engine near the throttle mounting and then drips down the side of the engine over the engine mounts and onto the floor. Was advised by a gm mechanic that there was a recall on throttle mounting bolts that may relate to this leakage. Local buick dealer indicated that my VIN was not affected. Nonetheless, I have that problem of coolant leakage from that area of the engine. I replaced the thermostat gasket and there is absolutely no leakage from the thermostat or the radiator hose.

Filed Jan 21, 2005 · Engine · 59,372 miles · NY

The 3.8l gm engines used '95 - '98 for the buick: rivera, lesabre, park avenue, regal, chevy: lumina, monte carlo, oldsmobile: 98,88,intrigue, pontiac: bonneville, grand prix have a known defect. Service bulletin 01-06-01-007a coolant leak. In december 2004, my plastic intake manifold melted and allowed the engine coolant to fill the cylinders of the engine with coolant. Gm resolved the defect with a design change in 99. I feel that gm is responsible for the cost of the repair of the defective part. Second the engine shut down at 55 MPH in heavy traffic, which is a serious safety hazard that warrants a recall. I contacted gm; service record number 1-293342957 they never called me back after a number of messages (7) then denied the claim.

Filed Aug 12, 2004 · Engine · 66,582 miles · MI

While driving service engine light came on. Then, vehicle decelerated followed by heat and ventilation failures. This was due to engine intake manifold malfunctioning. The manifold wasn't designed correctly by the factory engineer, which caused the engine to misfire. Dealership diagnostic test showed coolant leaking. Cylinder replaced, and lower intake manifold improved design, per bulletin 010601007a. Also, coolant and fluid plugs were replaced.*ak

Filed Jul 26, 2004 · Fuel system · 85,170 miles · NM

Recall regarding the intake manifold on the 1998 buick lesabre. *mr the engine overheated and was ruined due to the intake manifold problem. *sc the second time the consumer experienced problems with the vehicle it resulted in having to get a new engine which was due to the intake manifold problem.

Filed Jul 23, 2004 · Engine · AR

Problems with antifreeze leaking into the vehicle's engine.*mr the consumer was told that he would be responsible for purchase the small copper piece that would not allow the plastic to become overheated. The consumer would like to know if a recall has been issued for this problem. (1998 buick).

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Engine · 87,566 miles · MA

While parking, the consumer noticed coolant leaking from underneath the vehicle. The consumer drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the radiator needed to be replaced. *ak the input manifold cracked/split and the engine coolant leaked into the engine. The coolant reservoir kept on going down but the consumer never saw any coolant on the driveway or in the oil. The consumer requested that gm cover the cost of repair. *sc

Filed Mar 10, 2004 · Engine · NJ

Info copy of let to gm, inquiring if there is anything more to do to stop the unnecessary task of writing multiple ltrs for reimbursemt from gm referencing engine coolant leak on buick vehicles. Ref es03-006044 /s/brenner 9/23/03. *ph *mjj nar

Filed Feb 4, 2004 · Engine · 67,696 miles · PA

Coolant consumption, or an engine coolant leak near or under the throttle body area of the upper intake manifold on a 98 buick le sabre custom four door.

Filed Jan 22, 2004 · Engine · 43,000 miles · NJ

Coolant leak from manifold