Ten problems related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe have been reported for the 1996 Buick Regal. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1996 Buick Regal le. The contact stated there was an unusual loud explosion immediately after the vehicle was started. She opened the hood to further investigate and was exhumed with thick smoke emitting from the engine. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the top manifold melted. The mechanic replaced the manifold, injectors, sensor wires, pcv valves, and hoses. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. The approximate current mileage was 130,000.
On engine start, loud explosion in engine compartment. Inspection reveled engine cover broken, upper intake manifold (plenum) split in two pieces. Smell of gas, broken vacuum and fuel lines. Must replace upper intake manifold, fuel rail, 2 injectors, various lines. Old parts are available.
The contact owns a 1996 Buick Regal. The contact noticed that the vehicle sporadically experienced a no-start condition. There was also a backfire that occurred when the vehicle was started. The upper intake manifold failed prior to the upper intake manifold. The dealer stated that his VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 96v116000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The contact would not assume responsibility for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 78,117. Updated 02/05/09. Coolant was found in the oil when repairs were made on the manifold. Updated 02/10/09.
Vehicle would not start, it was towed to repair shop sat for about 24 hours, when trying to start it the intake manifold exploded.
While attempting to start the vehicle the consumer heard an explosion. A hole was discovered blown through the intake manifold and a crack was discovered a crack in the dust cover. The consumer requested reibursement.
My 1996 Buick Regal has had two intake manifold gasket failures--one at 52,000 miles, and the most recent, at 111,000 miles. In the first instance, the local Buick dealership refunded half my money of the cost of the $607 repairs because they agreed that it was highly unusual for a gasket to fail at such low mileage. My son, who did the most recent repai andr is a materials science engineer, inspected the most recent failure and found several places on the gasket where it was deformed and had let antifreeze escape. His opinion was that it was badly designed, with inferior materials.
Other - oil leak - have been told by independent repair shops that it is either the cam shaft timing sencer or manifold with the cost ranging from $700. 00 to $1200. 00. Also the motor mounts need to be replaced. Tape player does not eject tape properly, been a problem since I got the car. Brakes - have had complete brakes replaced. Have been told Buick Regals are bad on brakes. Air conditionung cooling coil in front of raditor has developed a leak. Estimated cost to repair is $400. 00. Have not taken it to dealer. I got the car used in 1997 with about 72500 miles on it.
Plastic connection hose of oil filter to manifold on motor block broke off. Consumer took vehicle into dealer, and they fixed the hose.
The vehicle experienced an oil leak at the intake manifold, the engine also developed rod bearing and/or wrist pin noise. Nlm.
Anti freeze leaked inside the engine due to faulty intake manifold gaskets which were made of plastic. This happened frequently, even after antifreeze was refilled. Fumes from the antifreeze oil mixture were entering the cabin of the vehicle from the engine.