1998 Buick Lesabre: fuel leak

Filed Jan 25, 2011 · Fuel system · 63,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick lesabre. The contact stated that as he started the vehicle, there was an explosion that occurred within the engine. White smoke began to flow from under the hood. The vehicle was shut off and the contact noticed that the manifold had exploded. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v090000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that a fuel leak was present within the engine prior to the failure. The failure and current mileage was 63,000.

Filed Sep 14, 2010 · Body, Brakes · 119,000 miles · NY · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 buick lesabre. The contact stated that the brakes were applied yet they did not respond. The vehicle proceeded to crash into a row of hedges. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the contact was informed that the brake line was completely rusted. The mechanic replaced the brake lines. In june 2010, the contact noticed abnormal front end noise. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the contact was informed that the stabilizer bar bushings had fractured from the vehicle and the bushings under the cradle were extremely rusted. The bushings were replaced in both areas. Three months later, the contact noticed fuel leaking from under the vehicle abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the contact was advised that the fuel sending unit was defective and would need replacing. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000 and the current mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Oct 21, 2007 · Fuel system · MA

Leaking fuel sender and corroded brake lines.

Filed Sep 7, 2005 · Fuel system · MI

Ltr fwd fm cpsc complaint re his 1998 buick lesabre, he took car in for a recall, and now the car is more dangerous than before gm "repaired" it.*mr after the vehicles recall repairs were made it leaked fuel vapors and stalled.

Filed Jun 30, 2005 · Fuel system · 50,324 miles · MI

Dt: the consumer smelled gas in vehicle for quite some time but always disregarded as another passing vehicle or something else. About 2 weeks ago, the consumer discovered there was gasoline near the rear of the vehicle along the right rear tire and muffler. The consumer drove home and checked to see if it was leaking again, there was no leak at first. Later, within 20 minutes, 2 puddles formed from the gas leak. Took napkin and wiped, underneath near fuel lines but did not find any moisture. Was unable to determine as to where the leak originated from. Called a local dealership about the problem, who said they were unable to get it in the shop right away, but did say it was unsafe to drive with leak. Took vehicle to another dealer, who checked vehicle, and replaced a fuel sending unit, fuel tank, and fuel line. No leaks since the repairs. They informed consumer that the gas lines rusted and caused the leak.

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Fuel system · 75,683 miles · MI

On sunday, june 19, 2005 I noticed a puddle of gas under the rear-right side of my 1998 buick lesabre. On monday, june 20, 2005 I took the car to the vyletel buick dealer in sterling heights. They examined the car and informed me that the leak(s) were coming from cracks in the flexible fuel lines and these would have to be replaced. They did not have any explanation for what caused the cracks in these lines. The dealer also indicated that the sending unit in the tank would also need to be replaced since it's hard lines were excessively rusted and corroded and the new flexible lines would not be able to be secured. They also said that since this is all being done, the fuel pump should be replaced. The car is only 7 years old, and has been driven only 75, 600 miles under "normal" city driving conditions - no incidents of any damage anywhere on the car -including the undercarriage. So, it is completly unacceptable for this car to have cracked fuel lines - and all of the other related problems. This is a safty issue! The fuel leak was excessive and had I not noticed it, there is a high probability of a fire/explosion occuring. I spoke with a buick customer service representative about this and he said that they would not repair the car at their cost since the car was beyond warrantly and this was not a recall issue. I reluctantly authorized to have the repairs done so that I could have my car back. The total cost to me was $892.34. Since the same type of parts (flexible fule lines, sending unit, fuel pump) have been used, I do not feel confident that the problem has been solved. Thank you for reviewing this situation.

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 24, 2004 · Fuel system, Seat belts · 50,295 miles · NY · crash · 2 injuries

The federal safety agency #: 04v090000 - I own a 1998 buick lesabre 3.8l. On 9/27/02 I had a hard starting and stalling problem, taken for service at gm dealer and fuel regulator was replaced. In august 2004 was notified of the recall and took vehicle back to gm dealer to assure the recalled part was not in the car. The dealer told us the car does run a little rough (noted on work order) but the correct regulator was in the vehicle don't worry about it. On october 10,2004 we started having trouble starting the car. On october 11 we made an appointment to take the vehicle in for service on october 18, 2004 to an independent service shop. On thursday october 14, 2004 and friday october 15, 2004 the car stalled once each day when moving in traffic at a very slow speed. On sunday october 17, 2004 while my wife was following me to drop the car off at the repair shop, the car again stalled. She put the car in neutral and restarted the car. When the car started it jumped forward and she struck the back of my truck. The repair shop found the fuel regulator to be leaking fuel into the vacuum hose and into the exhaust manifold. This was the part that according to the gm dealer was not part of the recall on august 11, 2004. The end result is there is $3000.00 damage to the lesabre, non to by truck. My back is slightly sore but of greater concern is the seat belt did not lock on the buick and my wife struck her chest on the steering wheel hard enough to have bruising in the outline of part of the steering wheel on her chest. In summary Im concerned about the 1.) fuel regulator, 2.) the car jumping and 3.) the seat belt not locking.

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 20, 2004 · Fuel system · 59,000 miles · KS

The engine back fired and black smoke came out the tail pipe. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, who indicated that the upper and lower manifold broke. As a result, the tail pipe/ tension o-ring/thermostat, and gasket needed to be replaced due to water contamination. The engine had a mixture of water and oil in it. Fuel regulator, coil, and speedometer wires also needed replacement. *ak the spark plugs were contaminated with antifreeze. The engine was contaminated with antifreeze and fuel. Recall#04v090000 the upper intake manifold was broken and burned through and the fuel pressure regulator leaked gas. *sc

Filed Jun 21, 2002 · Fuel system · MD

Consumer can smell gas coming from vehicle, also fuel is leaking onto engine compartment. Cause unknown. Dealer notified.*ak. Consumer states gas fumes are present when vehicle is started.

Filed May 7, 2002 · Fuel system · WI

Vehicle has stalled 4 times at 25-30 MPH. Dealer has replaced fuel filter. But this has not remedied the problem.*ak the fuel pressure regulator was also replaced due to fuel leak.