Manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe problems of the 1998 Buick Park Avenue - part 1

Loss of coolant internally to combustion/compression chambers, hydro locked engine, thick smoke from engine exhaust, coolant mixing into oil, unstable temperature requiring vehicle stoppage to avoid overheating/fire, car will not run. Intake manifold failure and head gasket damage.

1. Engine stalled - skipped, missed. Loss of antifreeze. Finally completely died and had to be towed. 2. Occurred twice 3. Replaced intake manifold assembly twice in less than 1 year.

The plastic intake manifold gasket cracked like it does on all of the 3. 8 litre engines g. M. Needs to cover this expensive repair when they have known about this for some time.

The contact owns a 1998 Buick Park Avenue. Whenever the contact would start the vehicle, hhe noticed that it would turn on for several seconds and then immediately shut off. When he attempted to restart the vehicle, he heard a loud pop coming from the engine. The dealer stated that the intake manifolds needed to be replaced. On September 22, 2008, while driving 45 mph , the vehicle would not gain speed. The contact noticed sparks coming from the rear of the vehicle and pulled to the side of the road. Flames began to appear underneath the hood. The fire department was called to the scene. The current mileage was 130,000 and failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 10/30/2008.

: the contact stated the engine overheated several times and continuously required additional coolant fluid. This was always preceded by the check engine light illuminating. When the vehicle was taken to a service dealer, they determined there was a pinhole sized leak in the manifold. The service dealer was able to repair the leak.

: the contact stated in may 2003 the vehicle was hard to start at times. The dealership determined the plenum on the upper intake manifold was cracked. The dealership replaced the upper intake manifold. Two weeks ago on 2-4-06 the vehicle shut down while driving 65-70 mph. The vehicle was restarted and driven home. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership on 2-6-06 where the dealership determined the plenum on the intake manifold was cracked again. Coolant had seeped into the engine resulting in engine failure. The engine was replaced.

: the contact stated there were two problems with the vehicle. The first problem involved coolant leaking from the engine. The next morning, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, the mechanic was able to get the vehicle started. Upon inspection the intake manifold was filled with water and the manifold was replaced. The second problem occurred when driving across a patch of ice at approximately 40 mph the traction stability and abs failed. The v traction control and abs lights illuminated. The front end started to slide. The contact pulled the vehicle to the side of the road and turned the vehicle off. Once the vehicle was restarted,the traction control and abs reset themselves and were working properly. Updated 3/3/2006 -.

1. Loss of engine coolant with no apparent external leakage 2. Difficulty starting and then failure to start engine 3. Corroded plastic intake manifold allows engine coolant into engine destroying engine.

I noticed coolant in reservoir was disappearing with no visible exterior leaking. I filled it and watched it carefully over the next couple days. Within 20 miles I had used 2 quarts of coolant and then my ses light came on. I immediately took my car to the local repair shop. The mechanic checked it out and determined that no. 6 cylinder was taking in coolant. After removing the intake plenim he found a hole burned through the coolant jacket by the egr valve. Hopefully, my engine is o. K. But seems to have lost some mileage. This is obviously a defective part and I should be reimbursed. My total bill came to only $382. 00 including the new plenim and gasket. (labor in town is a bargain). I have the old part and will provide it if requested.

The consumer stated the intake manifold disintegrated. As a result anti- freeze leaked into the manifold and started to burn. Please provide additional information.

The sevice engine light came on and within a day or two my car kept needing coolant. I scheduled an appointment with a Buick dealer but the next day the car wouldn't start. I had it towed to the dealer and within hours of getting there I was told there was an upper and lower internal manifold leak. The service person told me that he was familiar with the problem but would not say it was a design flaw. Why would a dealer carry a manifold that is a non-moving part but a cast piece of iron if this was not continual problem? I work in a foundry for caterpillar that makes cast blocks and heads and was told by an engineer this is a bad design.

Consumer requesting reimbursement for repairs made to 1998 Buick Park Avenue. The engine cranked and there was a loud bang exactly as the recall stated. Following the bang was a loud noise and white smoke that had come from the tail pipe. Anti freeze entered the engine and mixed with the oil. The engine was re-manufactured. The service dealer stated that the intake manifold was defective. The fuel pressure regulator was defective as well.

While driving at 50 mph check engine light came on, showing that the coolant was low. Dealer examined the vehicle, and filled the reservoir with coolant. Between the dealership and the consumer's home coolant drained from the reservoir and the radiator. Vehicle was towed back to the dealer, who replaced the manifold, the gasket, and upper plenum on the engine.

Intake manifold defect causing engine destruction and failure, resulting in replacement of engine. 1998 Buick Park Avenue 88947 miles.

Vehicle was parked in the garage and consumer noticed that coolant was leaking from underneath the vehicle. Consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the intake manifold needed replacing due to a hole inside of the tube.

While enroute home from vacation low coolant warning light came on. Within a few miles the engine temperature gauge went to hot. I was able to limp back a mile or so to a Chevrolet dealer I had passed. The intake manifold gasket had failed, costing $593 to replace along with the spark plugs, oil and filter. However, upon returning home, I opened the oil filler cap to find a glob of water contaminated oil inside. Now even short trips result in water droplets on the underside of the oil filler cap. Also, the engine idle is down about 100 rpm, it doesn't sound or run as smoothly as beore and there's a slightly detectable metallic knock from the engine. I believe the plastic intake manifold has also failed and should have been replaced. As a result of the defective manifold and gasket design, a $34,000 vehicle has a sick engine at only 64,000 miles. The mechanic that replaced the gasket said he had only worked at the dealership for three weeks, but replacing these intake manifold gaskets had been a continuous job. The service manager said I was lucky, because another customer had seized the starter and broken the flywheel trying to jump start her car full of coolant from a failed intake gasket. This problem with the intake manifold and gasket design is a manufacturer's defect that should be corrected by gm and not borne by the customer. I've also experienced most of the other characteristic failures with this car such as, warped brake rotors, failed ignition control module, failed shoulder belt retractor, broken ash tray door latch, shudder in steering wheel while turning at low speed, suspension vibration due to defective bushings, etc. After 26 years of gm ownership loyalty, I'm calling it quits.

Failure of plastic upper intake manifold on 1998 Buick Park Avenue causing coolant to leak into engine cylinders. The repair bill cost $990. I have not seen any other manufacturer besides general motors construct their intake manifolds out of plastic. The servicing dealership noted that they are replacing an average of 3 plastic intake manifolds each week due to plastic failure and antifreeze leaking into the engine cylinders. I think this needs to be investigated as this engine (3. 8 liter) and plastic intake manifold have been and continue to be used in multiple gm vehicles from at least 1996 through the present.

While I was driving I heard a pop & the service engine light came on I went another block and the car lost power & white smoke came out of exhaust. I turned engine off & tried to restart which was unsuccessful. I contacted Buick dealer because after talking to a few people I was told that this was a common problem with gm autos. Customer representative told me to go to dealer & they would work with me on the cost of the repair. After a week of wasted time I went to a local mechanic who repaired the auto at a cost of $1,049. The mechanic informed me that this was a very common problem with this engine because of the type of parts the manufacturer uses durin g production. I am relieved that nobody was injured during this incident but if this had occured on a highway and I was not able to get off to a shoulder the situation might have had a different outcome. This auto at the time had 68,000 miles and 1 week after the time frame of the extended warranty the extended warranty expired at 60,000 miles. This is a $33,000 vehicle and I would hope that an engine would last longer than 70,000 miles. I own two other vehicles (Toyota's) and they have a combined mileage of over 300,000 miles and both purchased new cost less than this vehicle. It is my understanding that there have been other complaints of this type for this vehicle and the manufacturer has done nothing to correct this problem.

3. 8l engine seized in mid-drive on highway. Towed and diagnosed by Buick dealer as corroded manifolds from dex cool. Replaced both manifolds. Replaced all gaskets on pans etc. Replaced fluids, oil and coolant, as well as plugs and cleaned all.

3. 8l engine intake manifold leaked, causing engine coolant to foul spark plugs disabling the vehicle.

Initiation of problem started 19 sept 2003 while on a roundtrip, TX to CA. After approximately $3,200 in repairs, CA & TX, the culprit is identified and the problem is currently fixed (30 oct 2003). The culprit is a warped upper intake manifold, which allowed coolant to leak into the cylinders (finally hydro-locking the engine). This hard-plastic, domed original gm part has about a 1-mm warp on the end nearest cylinders #1 & #2. I consider this to be a manufacturer's flaw, although the vehicle has more than 75,000 miles. The TX dealer has seen other problems like this. A gm/Buick representative does not want to consider sharing some of the repair costs. I have a thorough file on this problem. I note other complaints for this integral part of the engine. -- jack sanders, dallas.

The plastic upper intake manifold developed an internal crack, which leaked coolant into the combustion cylinders. The 3. 8l v6 engine shut down and then hydrolocked. It was repaired by a certified Buick dealer. The day the vehicle was returned, within 20 miles of driving, the rear main bearing seal failed. The dealer felt it was caused by the coolant mixing with the oil. After this repair, the engine ran approximately 2000 miles and spun a main bearing, due to the coolant/oil mixture. This has been reported to Buick. They feel it is not their problem.

Consumer stated that vehicle overheated and broke down on highway. Dealer diagnosed that the plastick intake manifold cracked, causing failure.

Intake manifold has malfunctioned. Dealer notified.

Lifters damaged from apparent coolant leak in upper intake manifold at 80,000 miles. Rod bearing knock occurred at 81,820 miles. Cause as yet unknown. Possibly related to earlier coolant leak problem. Now in need of a new engine.

The intake manifold was a defect from the manufacture. The manifold allowed water to leak into the engine causing the engine to stall. Ph.

Consumer states that the intake manifold began leaking antifreeze in the vehicle's engine. Dealer replaced and the problem occurred again. Ph.

The first incident of this problem occurred in 2001 at 48,000 miles. To correct the coolant loss the upper intake manifold had to be replaced at a cost of approx. $500. 00. The second occurance was at 103,000 miles, this time gm had issued a technical bulletin no. 01-06-01-007a describing the problem and indicating that now both the upper and lower intake manifolds need tobe replaced to correct the problem, cost $750. 00. It is my feeling that since gm knows the problem is one of faulty material they should cover at least the cost of the parts, which they have failed to do. Dt.

Intake manifold developed a crack or hole. Coolant leaked into cylinders and oil causing engine not to run. Repair cost $966. 23. Fuel regulator failed causing engine to back fire and blow vaccum hoses off of engine. Replacement of same cost $114. 94. Dt.

Engine coolant dex cool leaked into engine through defect in upper manifold, destroying entire engine, requiring complete new engine.

Intake manifold developed a crack or hole. Coolant leaked into cylinders and oil causing engine not to run. Repair cost over $900. 00. This appears to be a known problem and Buick did not offer to share any of the repair expense. The plastic manifold, was over $300 for the part, which should have not failed, or at least should have been cheap to replace since it was plastic. This is a long term know defect and Buick should have recalled this and fixed it in the newer vehicles.

While traveling at highway speed low coolant message flashed on while low temperature gauge was reading cool. Soon after, noticed engine running hard. Consumer pulled vehicle over, and engine stalled and would not restart. Dealer found plenum leaking, dealer replaced intake manifolds upper and lower, plenum, coolant bypass hose, and head gasket seal.

Crack in plastic cover of the manifold/emission system. There was a pop and the parking area filled with black/blue smoke. Car would not start after the incident. TSB sent out about this problem, vehicle 36th month outside the warranty period. Referenced in ea02-030.

While driving about 55 mph warning light for coolant came on. Consumer went to mechanic, who found upper manifold plentium, which was made of plastic, had allowed antifreeze to flood engine.

Plastic case on intake manifold - holes burn through case and water goes into cylinder.