Request for reimbursement for replacement of intake plenum. *mr due to a backfiring/misfiring problem. *sc there was a recall regarding the problem and the consumer is now requesting reimbursement. Recall #(04v090000)
1998 Buick Lesabre fuel system complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
Regulator leaking allowing fuel to enter the intake manifold. *mr water in the reservoir tank kept evaporating. The consumer would continue to refill the tank but it continued to leak. The fuel pressure regulator caused the leak allowing fuel to enter the intake manifold through a vacuum line. The plenum cracked due to the backfiring of the engine caused by the fuel pressure regulator. *sc
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
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
The consumer stated the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop and the mechanic determined that the intake manifold cracked. *ak the problem was due to a faulty fuel pressure regulator. The consumers VIN was not included the recall. *sc
After starting the vehicle, a fire started in the engine compartment. The consumer managed to exit the vehicle. *ak there was no warning light. The key was turned to start the engine when the backfire occurred. The service dealer used the old parts that were damaged to repair the vehicle. After the repair, the vehicle would not start. The vehicle needed a new engine from the fire. (the coolant had leaked into the cylinder and caused it to leak) recall#04v090000 the consumer requested reimbursement. *sc
While attempting to start the vehicle in the garage, the consumer heard an explosion in the engine compartment. Dealer informed the consumer that fuel pressure regulator was the problem. *ak the explosion caused damage to the engine and the hood.
While attempting to start the vehicle in the garage consumer heard an explosion in the engine compartment. Dealer informed the consumer that a faulty pressure regulator was the problem.
We were the second owner for this vehicle. The original owner purchased the vehicle at a different dealership. When we purchased the vehicle it had around 42,000 miles. After purchase, we experienced an extended crank before the vehicle started that worsened, so on november 25, 2003, my husband and I took the vehicle to the dealership where the vehicle was originally purchased and they did the following: they noted that the fuel pressure regulator and the upper intake manifold was leaking. They replaced the fuel pressure regulator and intake manifold. Further they flushed and filled the cooling system with new coolant, did an oil and filter change and an envirolution engine flush; removed carbon buildup desludge intake manifold; did a fuel system treatment and cleaned the throttle plate pressurized injector cleaned and applied a fuel tank additive. Total cost of repairs was $1434.08 (minus $45.00 for a belt replacement requested by us). This was a costly repair for problems identical to recall no. 0354 for the buick park avenue (the federal safety agency pursuit number ea02-030 and the federal safety agency recall campaign number 03v-473000). Today, january 5, 2004, I called buick at 1‑800‑521‑7300 and registered a complaint with tony thompson. He said there is no recall for the buick lesabre at this time, therefore, no compensation. Can you please help me. *ak
Vehicle stalled / engine caught on fire. Mr. While driving, the vehicle stalled and then caught on fire. The fire department stated the fuel injectors may have been faulty.
We preformed a o&c on a 1998 lasabre fire, very mild engine fire which originated at the fuel rail fuel inlet port and was caused by failure of the plastic connector fuel hose connector. Owner was driving the vehicle, stated a load pop was noted, the vehicle stalled and a fire started. Possible failure of the fuel pressure regulator or metarials problem with the connector and clip.noted mutiple complaints in the federal safety agency data base as well as an investagation. Hope this helps.
Nar 1/21/03 design problem with intake manifold. The vehicle refused to start, after several failed attempts the vehicle was towed. After trouble shooting, it was determined the intake manifold had a hole in it which allowed coolant fluid to enter the cylinders resulting in a hydrostatic lock.
While driving vehicle engine shut down. Towed vehicle to buick. Mechanic took off manifold and they found a crack in manifold which was allowing water to fill up in engine department, causing a hydorlock. Please provide any further information. Ts
Vehicle stalled while driving in parking lot. Checked by dealer, who determined that coolant was leaking from intake manifold into engine, causing vehicle to stall.
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. Dealer found and replaced leaking intake plenum.
Gm made their intake manifolds out of a plastic resin on the buick 3800 v6 engine. They routed the egr valve through it which causes a heat build up that wraps the intake manifold allowing coolant to go into the engine. My repair bill was $803.76 plus one starter $189.00 that broke when the engine siezed. From reading on the internet this is a common problem with the engines with the plastic manifold. The dealer that fixed my car aid yes it was a design problem and that he had another car of the same make and model as mine in the same morning as mine. Same problem and that he had one the week before. In my case the engine did not lock up as I as going down the highway but this could be a dangerous problem for someone going down the highway and thier engine locks up.
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.
After having t egr valve serviced, miles later without warning, intake manifold began to leak coolant onto engine, causing engine to shutdown and lock up. Mechanic stated intake manifold needed to be replaced when valve was serviced.
Intake manifold is leaking fluid onto the motor, causing it to shutoff while driving.
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.
Vehicle is experiencing many electrical problems, including the dashboard lights were inoperative, parking lights shorted out several times, alternator failed , wiring between the door and body frame shorted, and left rear window motor shorted. Spark plugs, headlamp switch, battery were replaced.
Consumer stated she began having intermittent problems with vehicle going dead at stops in april 2001, the vehicle began to surge at stops and eventually had both symptoms during low speed driving, consumer went to the dealership on 4 occasions and was informed that nothing could be done until something showed up on the computer, however while driving home consumer stated that entire vehicle caught on fire, there was a loud noise, like a gunshot, smoke from the hood and the engine began dropping fire onto the street, the firewall was completely burned.
After filling fuel tank and driving for approximately 80 to 100 miles, gas gauge will read that fuel tank is empty, and a warning light will come on instrument panel. Dealership cannot determine a reason for this problem. *ak consumer states this has been a problem for three years and is requesting that someone fix the problem.
Vehicle at stop light when engine check light came on and remained. Was idling roughly when pulling into parking lot, and then vehicle died. Took vehicle to dealership, and was informed that upper plentium manifold had cracked and was leaking fluid onto engine. This caused plugs to be flooded. Plugs were pulled and cleaned.
Above mentioned vehicle came into my auto repair shop with a very dangerous fuel leak that the customer was unaware of. The plastic beauty cover on top of the gm 3800 series ii engines made contact with the high pressure plastic fuel line going into fuel rail. Due to high mileage of this car, line was damaged by the cover. Since then, I have seen 2 other gm 3800's with the same cover-to-fuel line contact. The potential leak is extremely dangerous as the leaking plastic fuel line runs from the firewall area, over the right side exhaust manifold, into the fuel rail on top of the intake manifold. A simple inspection & pad between the fuel line and the sharp edge of the plastic cover would be a very cost-effective cure for a potentially serious situation. This inspection & repair should apply to all gm badges with the 3800 series ii engines.
Upper intake manifold cracked, causing loss of coolant. Vehicle taken to independent repair shop. *ak oil and oil filter had to be changed, spark plugs were replaced and cylinder had to be cleaned out.
Intake manifold material melted around erg valve, letting coolant into engine. Shop was repairing another vehicle with the same problem at the same time.
Dealership advised intake manifold was cracked and starter was bad. I had just parked this vehicle two hours prior to attempting to start it again and it would not crank. I question why they are allowed to use a plastic intake manifold as this is an area that gets very hot at times. I used to be a mechanic for several years and think that buick made an error by producing engines with plastic manifolds. I have purchased new buicks on and off for the past 35 years and this is the first problem I have ever had with an engine. Referenced in ea02-030
There was fuel lekaing onto intake manifold. When driver started vehicle. Intake manifold exploded. Dealer has seen vehicle.
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