1998 Buick Park Avenue: won't start

Filed May 30, 2006 · Engine · 63,368 miles · SC

On may 6, 2006 we were coming back to spartanburg, sc from the beach. We were about 7 miles from kingsree, sc. After leaving a service station, we started getting "check engine" messages. We went back to the service station to see what was wrong. We had no coolant. I put a gallon of coolant in and decided to go into kingstree, sc in case there was more trouble. Just as we got to kingstree, sc we stopped at another station after getting more "check engine" messages. Again, we were out of coolant and now the car would not start. A wrecker towed it to a garage. The mechanic said he was fairly certain of what the problem was because buick had been having lots of trouble with a particular part. He then confirmed that it was the upper intake. He replaced the upper intake part with a revised part from buick and assured us we would not have any more trouble with the coolant. This cost $571.48 and a 6 hour delay. The consequences could have been much more serious if we had not been near a service station. Buick refuses to pay or acknowledge they have a problem with the intake.

Filed Jan 5, 2006 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 106,934 miles · ID

Dt*: the contact stated there were two problems with the vehicle. The first problem involved coolant leaking from the engine. The next morning, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, the mechanic was able to get the vehicle started. Upon inspection the intake manifold was filled with water and the manifold was replaced. The second problem occurred when driving across a patch of ice at approximately 40 MPH the traction stability and ABS failed. The v traction control and ABS lights illuminated. The front end started to slide. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off. Once the vehicle was restarted,the traction control and ABS reset themselves and were working properly.*ak updated 3/3/2006 -

Filed Jul 23, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · KS

My 1998 buick park avenue wouldn't start because of a line that leaked anti-freeze into the cylinders of the engine. After I took it to the mechaninc and talking with a parts foreman at a local dealership I found out that this was quite common. If it is common why isn't there a recall and why aren't the being fixed free of cost to us owners?

Filed Aug 27, 2004 · Engine · 83,460 miles · IL

The sevice engine light came on and within a day or two my car kept needing coolant. I scheduled an appointment with a buick dealer but the next day the car wouldn't start. I had it towed to the dealer and within hours of getting there I was told there was an upper and lower internal manifold leak. The service person told me that he was familiar with the problem but would not say it was a design flaw. Why would a dealer carry a manifold that is a non-moving part but a cast piece of iron if this was not continual problem? I work in a foundry for caterpillar that makes cast blocks and heads and was told by an engineer this is a bad design.

Filed Aug 19, 2004 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

Vehicle's manifold is cracked. *mr the vehicle wouldn't start and a new battery was needed. It was found that the manifold had cracked. The consumer requested reimbursement due to the fact that the warranty insurance denied coverage. The consumer received a recall letter several months after the problem occurred. *sc the started housing was also cracked. The consumer has since traded the vehicle.

Filed Mar 24, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 42,496 miles · NY

The vehicle was started while in the garage when without warning the vehicle "exploded" underneath the hood. The dealer indicated that the intake manifold fractured and resulted in the fuel rail bending. One of the fuel line holding clips also was broke. *nlm the vehicle would crank but would not start. The battery had run dead and was charged, the fuel pressure was checked, the engine backfired and had blown the intake gasket. The intake gasket was replaced, the spark plugs were removed, the cylinders were blown out, the fuel rail was straightened, the leaking fuel pressure regulator, and fuel feed line/fuel rail to fuel filter was replaced. Buick division of gm agreed to cover 50 percent of the repair cost. Scc

Filed Aug 29, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · NC

Engine would not start. Car had to be towed to dealership for repair. R&r upper intake, clean water of of intake, replace plugs, manifold, coolant. Owner noticed a decrease in power while driving on interstate highway at 70mph. Exited interstate and drove home (aprox. 1/4 mile or less). Vehicle parked in owner's garage. Owner tried to restart car and engine would not turn over.

Filed May 22, 2002 · Engine · NC

Crack in plastic cover of the manifold/emission system. There was a pop and the parking area filled with black/blue smoke. Car would not start after the incident. Tsb sent out about this problem, vehicle 36th month outside the warranty period. Referenced in ea02-030

Filed Dec 28, 2000 · Engine · FL · fire

Vehicle would not start, consumer had vehicle jumped and when he hooked up the battery cable and turned the key to start the vehicle, the engine blew up and a fire started, claim 59-v656-995.

Filed Feb 1, 1999 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Engine won't crank due to stripped wire under driver's seat. Yh