Car has 55,000 mi on it, and the plastic intake manifold resting on top of the engine cracked, leaking all coolant into the engine. Vehicle was shutdown as soon as the temperature climbed to about 250 f. Problem was fixed by replacing the plastic intake manifold, and no other damage to the vehicle resulted.
1998 Oldsmobile 88 engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 82, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving the engine gasket leaked coolant which caused the vehicle to overheat. The consumer had to replace the entire engine. *ak *cb
In february I went to start my engine in the morning and it blew up. I turned the key, no engine turnover but smoke coming from under the hood. When I opened the hood, flames came out. The fire dept. Put out the fire and said the car was totalled. Some of the vinyl siding on my house was slightly melted.
Leak in coolant system spread to the engine which resulted in the engine needing to be replaced. *mr the engine developed a leak in the cooling system before it had become obvious, the leak spread to the engine. The engine was replaced. The consumer's father had experienced the same problem with a new 02 buick lesabre due to the 3800 engine's defect that caused the leak. (this happened to three of their buick vehicle's) the federal safety agency action #ea02030 *scc
The intake manifold on mt 1998 oldsmobile 88 failed recently. The plastic on aluminum intake manifold is very susceptible to corrosion. Apparently mine failed and all the water drained from the engine. The repair bill to get the car running again was $1838. I am told by several people that this is a common problem on gm cars. Because of the common occurance of this problem, I would like to think that a recall is in order.
The vehicle would not start because the intake manifold leaked antifreeze into the cylinder.
Nar 06/19/2003. *mr the consumer stated there was a manufacturing defect in the vehicle. There were two problems, one was a faulty head gasket, and the other was a faulty thermostat in which general motors should have been responsible for. In addition, the dealership refused the warranty rates offered so the consumer ended up paying large sums of money to have the repairs done. With frustration the consumer returned the vehicle back to miller brothers and is now asking that the total repair cost be refund for the amount of $2,946. *cb
Faulty head gasket resulting in coolant leak and damage to engine costing $2946. + car rental.
Oldsmobile delta 88, 1998 63000 miles "coolant temperature warning" light came up while I was driving on highway. I drove about 1/2 mile to the service area. Turned off the engine. White smoke expelled out of exhaust pipe, a smoke odor was inside of the car. Turned the engine on 10 minutes later. There was complete silence. The engine got locked up because a coolant leaked into the engine from the upper plastic intake plenum. The engine was replaced. It is a common problem for 1995-2000 gm 3800 VIN k engines.
While driving the vehicles engine shut down which caused loss of power steering.
White smoke expelled from the exhaust pipe and the engine stalled. It was discovered the sleeve which sealed the exhaust gas as it entered the intake manifold leaked. *mr...
My vehicle has only 50,000 miles on it and already has an internal leak of radiator fluid. There has been no leakage under the car from any hoses or components. My engine light has gone on now and the car is sputtering. I have taken the car down for repair and they state that the plastic intake manifold has cracked causing the fluid to be sucked out of the radiator system and evaporated through the engine. My car has not caught fire, but according to the information on this site, I see that my car is in danger of having that happen.
While driving at any speed and no warning the vehicle stalled and was difficult to restart.
The intake manifold cracked which resulted in coolant leaking into the engine and caused the engine to seize. The problem caused extensive damage to engine, starter and flywheel.*jb
I purchased vehicle used mar. 1,2002. At 51000miles ibegan to have a leaking antifreeze problem (of dexcool) and I had waterpump replaced and then coolant thermostatabout aweek later for leaking..at about 53500 miles,presently,on about jan. 10,2003.I quit relieing on driving the 98 olds 88 and now this vehicle is at wally mccarthy's service
The intake manifold degraded, which caused coolant to leak onto the engine, which resulted in the connecting rod breaking and going through the engine wall. The dealership had to replace the engine. Ts scc
Consumer called complaining about having problems with a water pump and alternator. Also stated that he has problems with the hose conections on the water pump. Dealer was contacted and has ask consumer to bring the vehicle to the shop. Also states that the timming belt has been replaced. Ts
Consumer states vehicle has a plastic intake manifold assembly. The component melted causing coolant to get into engine. Mr
This alternator growling/noise and tension pulley assembly began making noises at about 30,000. Then at about 40,000 it really began making growling noises especially a lower speeds. Then while we were on a trip to michigan and wisconsin visiting my relatives and children, it became apparent I had better get this fixed before getting back on the road to our home in bella vista,ar. Some 750 miles. While in milwaukee I was advised to to see felsing service inc. 9128 w. Burleigh st., milwaukee, wi. Since gm dealerships could not guarantee me to have car ready as I had to be back in bella vista on thursday. Mr. Flesing said he could repair this. I wanted a new alternator, but none could be found in milwaukee. So I consented to a delco remfg. Unit and a new pulley assembly.this was completed in a few hours. The bill was $388.10. I feel this alternator should last and be adequately functional for more than 40,000. But the very fact that no new altarenator for my vehicle could be found in milwaukee on that monday tells me, as I also have heard, gm is having problems with alternators etc. Otherwise the car is a fine runnign car with good gas mileage etc.
Engine began to run very rough and check engine light began to flash. Pulled car off roadway. Gasket had failed sending coolant into the engine, damaging the manifolds.
3.8l v6 engine coolant is getting into the engine oil while driving. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time.
Engine and other parts were replaced on april 3rd 2002. Vehicle takes 3-4 tries before starting. All communication lights illuminated on dashboard after it started up. 5-10 minutes into driving lights went out. Dealer was informed of problem.
While driving, there was an awfull smell inside of the vehicle. Vehicle started to overheat. Mechanic said plastic intake manifold had a hole in it, and was leaking anti-freeze from radiator. Plastic intake manifold had to be replaced. Consumer states that the whole in the plenum was caused by a faulty egr valve, per machanic and gm rep.(car was going to burst into flames)-please see reverse side. Consumer feels that this is a major safety hazard and life threatening, and is greatful for not being harmed, but wants this problem resolved so that people who own these vehicles, wont be in danger. Consumer also feels that, shouldn't there be metal plenums instead of plastic.*ak
Consumer states that when trying to start the vehicle a fire started in the engine compartment. Contacted dealer.
While driving vehicle stalls without warning, the dealer has been unable to find the cause of the problem. Nlm
No summary listed for above vehicle.
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.
When the vehicle was started, there was a loud popping sound and then smoke was coming from under the hood, the insured then opened the hood and discovered the engine was on fire.*jb(claim#38-j636-778)
The isured's daughter was driving to work when the vehicle caught on fire.*jb(claim#24-5198-115)
The insured stated the engine caught on fire.*jb(claim#04-8004-446)
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