1997 Buick Park Avenue engine problems

Filed Feb 7, 2016 · Engine · TN

Why was this car not recalled with other gm products with the 3800 v6 engines for the oil leaks? These cars have the same 3800 v6 as all of the recalled cars!

Filed Jun 5, 2013 · Engine · 150,000 miles · FL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 buick park avenue. The contact stated that the vehicle began to smoke when starting the vehicle. The engine then caught on fire. The fire department was called and came to extinguish the blaze. The fire department stated that the fire was caused by an engine compartment failure. The contact did not call the manufacturer. The vehicle was neither repaired nor diagnosed. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jan 18, 2011 · Engine · 140,096 miles · TN

After 20 miles of smooth driving with no indication of anything going wrong and while pulling into the parking lot of my office my check engine light came on, I always immediately shutoff my vehicle any time such thing happens to prevent any damage to the vehicle, I proceeded to walk into the parts store next to my office to get power steering fluid due to the low fluid level I had, however when I tried to turn over the motor the motor would not turn. My mechanic told me it was "hydrolocked" and that there is a coolant passage which is commonly known to leak into cylinder 6 and locking the motor requiring the intake and gaskets to be replaced. This happened less than 30days after my vehicle passed inspection at a dealership. Also noting that the dealer was told I was losing about a gallon of coolant weekly. A coolant elbow was repaired, then two days later is when the motor locked.

Filed Aug 5, 2010 · Engine · OH

1997 buick park avenue with a defective engine. Dealer informed the consumer of a manufacturer defect which is anti freeze leaking onto the oil chamber causing the engine to overheat and cause a fire. *kb the consumer also stated the water pump leaked, which had to be replaced because it leaked onto the fan belt which caused it to break. (consumer wrote in on behalf of his aunt; owner of the vehicle)

Filed Sep 2, 2008 · Body, Engine · 140,000 miles · MI

My vehicle is a 1997 buick park ave with 140,000 miles. I'm the second owner. My in-laws were the original owners. I got the vehicle from them in 1999 with approximately 9000 miles on the vehicle. Therefore, I know the complete car care history of this vehicle. Yesterday, september 1, 2008 my granddaughter was driving this car and she lost control of the vehicle due to lost of steering capabilities. No one was injured nor body damage due to her low speed when this incident occurred. The tow truck operator indicated that the engine cradle split into pieces due to rust and this caused the steering to fail since the steering rack is mounted to this engine cradle. The rust through of this the engine cradle (or engine frame) was confirmed by the repair shop today, september 2, 2008. The repair shop indicated that the 1997 buick park ave's had a steel engine cradle and that the moisture and salt gets caught within this box frame due to it's position directly behind the wheel wells. The repair shop indicated that 1998 park ave's( and after) have aluminum engine cradles but that the 1998 part will not fit the 1997 buick park ave. The only repair is to find another used engine cradle from a 1997 buick park ave which costs approximately $400 to $500 just for the used part. The other alternative is to buy a new engine cradle from a gm dealership for approximately $1200 to $1400. It seems to me that this engine cradle is a very critical part of the frame of the car and should not rust through within 10 years. All of the steering controls are mounted to this part and when this engine cradle fails all steering capabilities are lost. Please review this web site for the same part failure by other 1997 buick park ave owners (http://www.allworldauto.com/comments/1997_buick_park_avenue_comments_and_complaints_c42-256-1997-312-1.html.

Filed May 22, 2008 · Engine · 80,000 miles · CA

Engine oil is leaking from the front valve cover of the 3.8l supercharged engine and dripping on the front exhaust manifold.

Filed Dec 11, 2007 · Engine · 95,000 miles · AK

I drove my car out to a restaurant and parked it. When I tried to start it to go home a couple hours later, it would not turn over. I tried it again the next morning and then had it towed to my mechanic where he discovered that it was 'liquid locked because antifreeze had leaked into a cylinder and would not allow the piston to move up. I am looking at 2500 dollars for repairs and a week to get the parts and do it. There are tsb's out on this problem and it is a common problem. I feel I should have been notified of the problem and gm should shoulder the costs for the repair because it was caused by a defective gasket.

Filed Sep 26, 2007 · Engine · 111,998 miles · OH · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick park avenue ultra. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle began smoking under the hood and caught fire. The fire department extinguished the blaze and provided a fire report. The police arrived, however, the contact did not know if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they were unable to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was destroyed. The powertrain was unknown. The current mileage was 125,998 and failure mileage was 111,998.

Filed Mar 14, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · FL

1997 park avenue has difficulties with the electrical system. Vehicle's engine blew up at 89,000 miles because the intake manifold leaked engine coolant into the engine and caused it to seize. *ts in seven years the consumer had to replace the vehicle's battery five times. ***nar***

Filed Feb 10, 2006 · Engine · 160,862 miles · AR · fire

On starting engine, intake manifold exploded violently and engine caught fire.