Oldsmobile 88 engine failure problems

Filed Mar 2, 2016 · Engine · 36,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile 88. The contact stated that when turning on the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact proceeded to check the coolant in the vehicle finding that there was no coolant in the reservoir. When attempting to turn on the vehicle, the exhaust pipe in the rear of the vehicle released large amounts of white smoke. The contact stated that the when having the vehicle diagnosed by the dealer, the vehicle stalled. The dealer diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 3, 2013 · Engine · 45,191 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 oldsmobile 88. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the engine plemun, which was fractured and caused fluid to penetrate the engine. The engine was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,191 and the current mileage was 48,000. ..updated 10/30/13 *bf updated 10/31/2013

Filed Jun 6, 2012 · Engine · 93,000 miles · PA

Yesterday our car began overheating. We added a bottle of coolant yesterday and another two gallons today along with a bottle of stop leak and had it towed to our mechanic. Our mechanic told us it seems like the engine has seized completely and he is not equipped to fix it.

Filed Feb 15, 2010 · Engine · 59,930 miles · MD

My oldsmobile 88 year 1999 had engine failure in 2005 with only 59,930 miles. The upper plemum desintegrated allowing coolant into the cylinders, locking up engine. No warning except rapid raise in engine temperature only about a minute to pull over into a parking lot.

Filed Oct 28, 2007 · Engine · 114,284 miles · TN

Gradually you will see a depletion of the anti-freeze from the holding reservoir. This is could be a sign that the intake manifold is beginning to leak anti-freeze (just a little) into the engine. Sooner or later when the erosion is large enough then a plume of white smoke will come out of the exhaust and you have no choice but to pull over and call the tow truck. I have replaced the engine intake manifold twice on my 1998 olds 88 due to degrading of the interior wall where the anti-freeze flows back into the engine. Both times the total cost of the repair (including plugs, wires, new manifold, labor) was around $1,200. On the last manifold gm had established adding a piece of metal where the anti-freeze was eroding the "space age plastic" intake manifold. Based on this, gm knows this is an engineering problem, but they will not take ownership of it and or pay for it.

Filed Apr 2, 2005 · Engine · 61,000 miles · FL

I have a 1999 oldsmobile 88 bought it in september 2003 then in march 04 the engine blew due to loss of coolant. There was no indication that it lost coolant. Now a year later, march 2005, the engine lost it's coolant again and needs to be replaced . The car never went over safe temperature. Called gm when it happened the first time. No help at all. I think there must be aproblem with these engines.

Filed Dec 22, 2004 · Engine · IL

Engine failed due to a faulty upper intake manifold. *bf the consumer stated the part was manufactured out of recycled materials and caused coolant and oil to enter the cylinders and created a hrdrostatic static.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Fuel system · GA

The vehicle upper intake manifold cracked prior to receiving the recall notice. *nm recall number (903v473000). One day prior to receiving the recall notice the consumers vehicle became disabled. The service manager determined the problem could have been a defective fuel pressure regulator. After the regulator was replaced the engine still would not start. The consumer had the vehicle fixed at her own expense.

Filed Aug 30, 2004 · Fuel system, Steering · 67,280 miles · MD

Request for compensation for engine failure as a result of a defective plastic intake manifold. *mr coolant leaked into the engine which was caused by the main bearing seizing. Recall# 04v090000. The initial diagnosis was that the seal under the plastic plenum was defective. The check engine light had come on within two blocks of leaving the service dealer. They found that coolant leaked into the engine again and the warped plastic plenum would not seal against the manifold. *sc the consumer stated the vehicle needed other repairs such as a replacement motor for the passenger's window, power steering hose which was leaking, a rear wheel cylinder and a new transmission.

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.