Eight problems related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe have been reported for the 1997 Buick Park Avenue. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Engine oil is leaking from the front valve cover of the 3. 8l supercharged engine and dripping on the front exhaust manifold.
On starting engine, intake manifold exploded violently and engine caught fire.
While driving 30 mph consumer noticed white smoke coming from the vehicle. It was towed to the repair shop and then to the dealer for repairs. Consumer was concerned that the intake manifold gasket was made of plastic.
Vehichle stalled while turning at an intersection and was not driveable; vehicle had to be towed. Upon diagnosis, the vehicle "hydrolocked" due to dexcool leaking into the engine chamber from a melted upper intake manifold. The upper intake manifold, water pump, thermostat crank sensor and map sensor required replacement. It was then further determined due to an intolerably loud engine knock that the dexcool had corroded the engine compartment bearings; the engine was not repairable and required replacement.
The plastic intake manifold developed a hole and leaked anti freeze onto the cylinder. This resulted in engine locking up and the crank shaft bearing going bad. The rod bearings also failed due to water entering the oil pan.
While driving on the interstate engine check light began flashing, and chimming. Pulled over to side of road stopped and raise the hood. The engine was running rough. Stopped the engine saw that it was not overheated. Attempted to start. It wouldn't. Wrecker tooto brian harris dealer. Dealer repaced both intake manifolds because they were pitted and allowed coolant to enter into cylinders and lock the engine. Dealer said both manifolds had to be replaced.
Vehicle overheated twice within a 2 month period. Coolant elbow broke when vehicle overheated the first time. The second time the vehicle overheated, the upper intake manifold broke.
Symptom of battery failure-triple a jump started car -checked battery & engine with computer which detected no problem-drove car @ 50 miles on highway-no problem- after sitting over nite started normally but after driving about 2 miles lost all power- tripe a could not start so towed car to their shop & found engine froze up- caused by defective air intake manifold which developed a leak allowing coolant fluid to get into engine mixing with oil. I know of 5 other incidents of this nature, 3 of which resulted in engine failure.