1998 Oldsmobile 88: sudden loss of power

7 of the 164 complaints about the 1998 Oldsmobile 88 describe sudden loss of power.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 9 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Sudden loss of power by model year

1999
5
1998
7
1997
2
1996
3
1995
5
1994
1
1993
1

What owners say

Filed May 1, 2007 · Engine · NV · 2 injuries

On numerous occasions while driving I'll hit brakes check engine light comes on brakes grind loudly and engine stalls. Also the engine will stall at any cruising speed over 40 MPH. Causing full power loss including brakes my daughter and I have received injuries from this in the past. Need help asap

Filed May 11, 2004 · Engine · 89,114 miles · AR

In october of 2003, my check engine light on my oldsmobile 88ls, 3.8 series two engine, came on. The car had a loss of power and started running rough. Before I got the car stopped the engine quit. I looked under the hood to see water running out of the gaskets. I checked the radiator to find no water and also noticed the overflow tank had none. I pulled the dipstick to find all the remaining water to be in the oil. The vehicle was towed under and extended warranty to the dealer of which it was puchased to find that the upper intake had either cracked or burst. The dealer refered to the damaged part as a plentium. This occured at 89,000 miles. The dealer replaced the damaged part and put the engine back together. The dealer advised me to keep a watch on the car to see if any changes develop. At the first three thousand mile oil change the vehicle had lost oil and I also added water to the radiator. The vehicle was also back to the dealer before the oil change for loss of gas mileage and a few other concerns. When I arrived at the dealer for the oil change they pressure tested the engine and asked that I leave the vehicle for them to check out a detected problem during the pressure test. The repairs done during this time involved the gaskets again, and also the heads where warped and they repaired them. At 106,000 miles the dealer requested that I replace the engine. The dealer tested the engine again to determine an internal coolant leak. Now the car has a loss of water and also has started to burn some oil. There are numerous amounts of complaints about this same problem with this engine and something needs to be done. This particular engine is in all oldsmobile, buick, pontiac, and chevrolet made vehicles. All the owners of these vehicles need some assistance.

Filed Mar 25, 2004 · Engine · NJ

While driving less than 35 MPH, the consumer noticed the vehicle did not gain any speed, followed by the engine losing power. The vehicle was towed to a technician who then informed the consumer that the manifold needed to be replaced. Please provide details.

Filed Oct 5, 2003 · Engine, Fuel system · 73,200 miles · AR

While merging into interstate rush hour traffic with no warning engine failed causing lost of braking and steering effectiveness. No warning was received. Vehicle was towed to dealer and upper intake was found cracked allowing coolant to enter combustion chamber. One week and $800.00 later car was "repaired" vehicle continues to experience fuel delivery problems. Hard starting, random stalling. Dealer advised me this is a common problem with the 3800 series ii engine regardless of mileage or type of use and maintenance. Considering the sudden lost of all power this is very dangerous as braking and steering effectiveness is reduced as is electrical power for accessories such as headlamps and windshield wipers.

Filed Apr 23, 2003 · Engine · MD

While driving the vehicles engine shut down which caused loss of power steering.

Filed Feb 5, 2002 · Engine · MI

Engine sputtered and shut down causing loss of power steering, power brakes, etc. Fortunate not to have happened at high speed or in heavy traffic. The engine locked up completely and would not restart. Cause was coolant leakage through crack in plenum which had to be replaced at a cost of over $700. This is very likely the cause of the following consumer complaints listed on your site: odi id's - 553119, 883623, 886028, and possibly others that were unexplained. I only searched for olds 88, but the same engine is used in pontiacs, and other gm makes. This problem is common enough to have been listed by the automotive service assoc. Of arizona repair shops - see their website and an article under the title "coolant leakage" which explains the problem very clearly. The plenum is plastic, and is simply subjected to more engine heat than it can safely handle over time, causing the cracks to develop over time, hence the continual and gradual loss of coolant until it finally gives way resulting in too much coolant leaking into the engine to allow for combustion. As stated earlier, this engine shutdown could be very dangerous at higher speeds or in traffic.

Filed Sep 18, 2001 · Acceleration, Engine · IN

The vehicle stalls and suddenly accelerates while driving, the dealer has been unable to duplcate the problem, this problem causes loss of power steering and brakes. Nlm