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1998 Buick Lesabre engine complaints

Page 3 of 8: complaints 41 to 70 of 204, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1998 Buick Lesabre engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Dec 9, 2004 · Engine · 57,000 miles · MI

The vehicle failed to start after re-fueling. The engine cranked but wouldn't turn over. The dealership without inspecting the vehicle identified the intake plenum ( manifold) as the problem. There was a small hole which caused the oil to mix in with the water/ anti freeze. This part has been upgraded in the 2002 and later models. The plenum part #fh10095 manifold was replaced. *jb....

Filed Nov 17, 2004 · Engine · HI

While placing the vehicle in reverse a loud popping noise was heard coming from the rear. Then, vehicle stalled. Consumer was unable to restart vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that the intake exhaust manifold system, and a head gasket needed to be replaced. *ak. Also, exhaust manifold cover blew off.

Filed Nov 9, 2004 · Engine · 76,569 miles · MI

While driving 65 MPH consumer noticed fluid leaking from underneath the vehicle. It was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the water pump needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. Mechanic determined that the engine needed to be replaced.

Filed Nov 5, 2004 · Engine · 49,532 miles · WI

Complaint against general motors corp concerning an unsatisfactory transaction . *bf while driving the ses light illuminated. A few days later the vehicle stalled while being driven and had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer determined that the coolant passage in the upper intake manifold was leaking into the lower intake. The dealer replaced the upper and lower intake manifolds. Shortly after the repairs were made the consumer received a recall notice. The consumer submitted all paperwork for reimbursement but hasn't received it yet.

Filed Nov 4, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · SD

Consumer noticed that antifreeze was leaking from underneath the vehicle. The brakes pedal went to the floor when applied. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that oil pan gasket and front brake pads needed to be replaced.

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Engine, Visibility · TX

While driving,in inclement weather windshield wipers come on and off intermittently. The consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the windshield wiper motor needed replacement. This vehicle was not on a recall and the warranty expired. *ak the plastic intake manifold leaked water without unknowingly and would blow out and ingest all of the water from the radiator and also the overflow into the motor.

Filed Nov 3, 2004 · Engine · 77,522 miles · OK

On january 2004 an independent repair shop replaced the intake manifold at consumer's expense of $1, 1000, five months later, the consumer received the federal safety agency recall #04v090000 which stated that vehicles equipped with 3800 v6 (l36) engines and certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, the regulators have a much higher than usual rate of fuel leaks. A leak can allow fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. The manufacturer indicated to the consumer the recall was the fuel pressure no the intake manifold. However, the mechanic determined that a defective fuel pressure broke the intake manifold. *ak the was attempting to stall while in motion, when the vehicle reached home the vehicle died. The engine turned but did not start. The intake was leaking coolant into cylinders.

Filed Oct 21, 2004 · Engine · 88,103 miles · AR

July 11, 2002: we had to have 5 injectors replaced by jordan oldsmobile-buick, hot springs, arkansas. Cost: $709.42. Mileage was 82,260. October 31, 2002: we had to take our car to orr pontiac, cadillac, toyota, hot springs, arkansas, because the car misfired (or backfired) on us. The work order states: customer states that oil light and temp light came on; car was low on coolant and had to add water, said a lot of white smoke came out of tail pipes and had very bad sulfur smell. Intake leaking, flooding cyl with coolant. replaced : two manifolds, coolant, oil, etc. Cost: $1398.66. Mileage: 88,103. November 15, 2002: oil gauge goes to red and engine has knock. Diagnosis was internal engine damageI was told that parts of the engine had been made of plastic and this plastic had melted. Complete new engine. Cost: $4174.94. Mileage: 88,821.

Filed Oct 1, 2004 · Engine · 76,787 miles · IL

1998 buick lesabre- check engine light went on, stopped at gas station,car would not start after stopping, intake manifold had failed, causing engine coolant to get iinto the engine, because the engine was locked up the starter also broke when trying to restart the car, was stranded 60 miles from home, to get towed and get car fixed cost over 2000.00 dollars. It seems the intake manifold has a defect.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Engine · KS

The vehicle upper intake manifold failed prior to recall notification. The consumer request reimbursement. *nm the vehicle died while the consumer backed out of the driveway, restarted and backfired along with engine light illumination, and later the vehicle was started, but had ran rough. Since 10/08/02, the vehicle had run fine.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Engine · 66,728 miles · GA

The vehicle's plastic intake manifold cracked which resulted in water getting inside the crankcase. *nm the consumer requested reimbursement because she found out that the part had been recall two years ago.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Engine · 11,140 miles · OH · fire

While attempting to start the vehicle the consumer heard a load pop then smoke began to fill the cabin of the vehicle. Shortly after the vehicle caught on fire. *nm the consumer requested reimbursement. The problem was due to a leaking manifold.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Engine · 69,100 miles · OH

A recall letter was received. Vehicle was taken to the dealer. Problem was the check engine light. After picking the vehicle up mechanic stated that there would be a $79.00 charge , and the check engine light remained on. *ak

Filed Sep 14, 2004 · Engine · 69,000 miles · MI

The engine light was on, the vehicle was repaired. A recall letter was received. After sending the receipts to the manufacture, they are not refunding the entire amount. The intake manifold.

Filed Sep 13, 2004 · Engine · 95,000 miles · MN

Vehicle's engine misfires and loses power. *mr the service engine light had come on along with the misfires and power loss. The consumer was told that the problem could be due to the engine hydraulic lock. The consumer stated that gm was aware of the plastic intake manifold problem.

Filed Aug 30, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

Engine backfiring on 1998 buick lesabre. *mr recall# 04v090000. The heater failed and the consumer was informed that a water pump was needed. The engine also died with less than 100k miles. The consumer requested reimbursement. *sc

Filed Aug 24, 2004 · Engine · MO

Consumer was concerned about reimbursement from the manufacturer. Consumer received recall notice 96v116000 concerning intake manifold failure. Consumer had recall repairs done. However, recall repairs failed. Consumer informed the mechanic that this problem occurred more than once, and had not been resolved.

Filed Aug 24, 2004 · Engine · TN

While driving vehicle stalled. Consumer pulled over, and had the vehicle towed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Aug 20, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

Problems with fuel pressure regulator on 1998 buick lesabre.*mr the fuel pressure regulator was replaced in accordance with recall v1082. While driving the vehicle stalled and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer where it was deterrmined that the upper intake manifold had failed and coolant was flowing into the cylinders. The consumer feels the manifold should have been recalled and request reimbursement.

Filed Aug 12, 2004 · Engine · 51,594 miles · HI

The intake manifold and the exhaust system were a manufacturer's design flaw. When the consumer contacted the manufacturer, the consumer was told that the tubing was too small, causing the tubing to rupture. *ak the intake manifold was worn through. *sc

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 Aug 5, 2004 · Engine · CA

While driving engine light illuminated. Vehicle began running very hard and rough. Finally, engine shut down and would not start again. Consumer states due recall 04v090000 vehicle acts in this manner.

Filed Jul 30, 2004 · Engine · ID

While driving vehicle started to lose power. *mr the vehicle gradually lost more power and quit. The consumer was informed that the upper intake manifold was cracked in one of the passages, which required a total replacement of the engine.

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 Jul 19, 2004 · Engine · 55,000 miles · LA

It would be hard to start the vehicle. Once the vehicle was started the engine warning light illuminated. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Engine · 48,000 miles · MA · fire · 2 injuries

My 1998 buick lesabre had a ruptured manifold in june 2003, causing engine to cease and smoke and minor fire. The smoke made myself and my infant son very ill. This was reported to buick but they refused to reimburse for repair since vehicle was just out of warranty. They told me that the following recall was not in effect: the federal safety agency recall no. 03v473/gm recall no. 03054 and that my vehicle had no recall. A few months later the engine ceased to start again and it was determined at the buick dealership that it was a faulty fuel pressue regulator which was replaced. Buick again refused reimbursement although I brought their attention to the current recall on my vehicle. I called again today as the recall for 98 buick lesabres with v6 engines was again posted but buick told me that their system has no such recall and they refused to reimburse me for over $1000 of repairs for the faulty fuel pressue regulator and manifold. The federal safety agency recall no. 04v090/gm recall no. 03054b.*ak

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Engine · 92,523 miles · MN

While driving on my way to work the vehicle started to slow and the engine light came on. I pulled over and attempted to start the car and the engine would not turn over. I called my auto club for a tow and the car was towed to a connoco station in park rapids. They immediatly knew what the problem was, stating they see a lot of the 3800 engines do this. The intake plenum rotted away allowing coolant to fill a cylinder and stall the engine. Gm has issued a service bullitin for the problem, but no recall. This could be a major safety concern with loss of power to the engine the steering and brakes will not function as they should.

Filed Jun 18, 2004 · Engine · 63,468 miles · CA

Our 1998 buick lesabre limited, april 2004 our upper & lower intake manifold's & gasket were replaced due to a leak and the car only had 62,000 miles on it. This cost us over 2000.00 the web has hundreds of similar complaints from other gm owners. *ak upper intake manifold leaked, causing loss of coolant. Vehicle taken to independent repair shop. Oil and oil filter had to be changed, spark plugs were replaced and cylinder's [engine flushed] had to be cleaned out. Also broken starter replaced. My car had to be towed over 110 miles back home at a cost of $ 236.50 [my wife was visiting her mom and had 2 grandchildren with her when car broke down in a remote area ,lucky for us she had her cell phone with her and some nice folks at a near by ranch took care of them] my mechanic advised intake manifold leaked, and starter was bad [housing broke] starter housing broke due to trying to start hydro-locked engine. Question: why is buick allowed to use a plastic intake manifold? As this is an area that gets very hot. It's obvious, buick made a big mistake by producing engines with plastic man- ifolds. The intake manifold on the engine is made out of plastic and has the egr tube running through it, causing the plastic to heat up and allow antifreeze to run into the engine. When my mechanic called the local dealership to order parts, the sales clerk told him, "yes we have those parts on hand it happens a lot" also that the upper & lower intakes had been re-designed and that both manifolds need to be replaced as a unit. .(contributed by mike & della rico) ps. Also, transmission is now acting up [shudders on take-off at times] I understand that these problems [manifold & transmission] are mainly going on with cars having k in the VIN. Do you have any information on this? Thank you

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · 59,627 miles · IN

Vehicle failed to start when the key was turned in the ignition. Vehicle was towed to a mechanic. Mechanic indicated that the intake manifold degraded around the erg distribution nipple and the fuel pressure regulator diaphram ruptured leaking fuel into the engine through the vacuum hose. This was the same defect as described in the fuel pressure regulator recall 03v473000, but this vehicle's model was not included in the recall although it had the same type of engine. *ak

Filed May 26, 2004 · Engine · 116,000 miles · IL

While pulling out from a stop light the vehicle began to accelerate and suddenly the engine locked and stalled. The vehicle was towed to the consumer's house and it was found that the upper intake manifold was corroded. This problem caused water and anti-freeze to enter the engine, which caused the vehicle to over heat. Please provide any additional information.

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