Two problems related to gas recirculation valve (egr valve) have been reported for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Contact states in hot weather 75 degrees or above and within one mile the car will die. Can wait it 10-15 minutes and the car will restart. Had this problem for the last 3 summers. It usually happened in slow traffic, but consumer did not get out on the interstate very much; but was concerned that if he did. The car would die in heavy traffic. Took it to the dealer, and they said they could not find anything wrong with it. They suggested that it may be the fuel pump or the sensor in the crank case. The service engine light sometimes cam eon. . The car has less than 30,000 miles on it. He has not talked to the manufacturer.
My number one problem with this car is the plastic intake manifold failed under normal use. This allowed coolant to mix with the oil while I was driving on the highway in heavy traffic. The result was that the main bearings were destroyed and I had to buy a new engine. (I have the original plastic intake manifold in my possession. ) the problem is that the plastic intake manifold can not withstand the heat generated by the egr valve and eventually suffers from thermal fatigue at the egr and stress relaxation around the flange of the manifold. I notified gm of the problem in writing and they offered me $800 compensation for my $5,000. 00 problem. They told me that my engine was probably on its last legs. I told them that the car has been babied and offered up results of the mandatory emissions test that the car underwent not 3 weeks prior to failure as proof that the car was in good running order. (in toronto, all vehicle owners must submit their cars for emissions testing every 2 years. The car is measured for hydro carbon output, nox output, CO, and co2. If the engine had been malfunctioning, it would have been qualified. ) this problem would not have occurred if gm didn't switch from aluminum to plastic. Other problems with the car include a rear window defogger that caught on fire, - 3'rd alternator, 2nd battery , a security system that sounds while driving down the street, water in the trunk (several attempt to repair, ended up drilling a hole in the trunk), failed ac compressor, failed heated seat, several instrument control light bulbs have burned out and can not be replaced, you have to replace the entire instrument. The rear brake rotors that warp every 35,000 km. - fuel gauge that doesn't work below a quarter tank. If you would like copies of correspondence sent to gm, let me know. Regards doug webb 13 brumell avenue toronto, ontario m6s 4g3 doug. Webb@sympatico. Ca 905-238-0007 ex. 2624 (daytime).