12 problems related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe have been reported for the 1998 Buick Regal. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that oil was leaking onto the rear exhaust manifold and spark plugs. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that engine oil was leaking profusely on the exhaust manifold and the check engine light illuminated. The contact also stated that a quart of oil was provided weekly. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact stated that when engine oil was added to the vehicle, some of the oil spilled on top of the manifold and the vehicle caught on fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact noticed smoke coming from the engine intermittently. The contact did not notify the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that her VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 08v118000 (engine and engine cooling) and offered no further assistance. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed her that the lower intake manifold was leaking and needed to be replaced. No repairs were performed. The current and the failure mileages were 130,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. While driving less than 35 mph, the vehicle began to shutter and lost complete power. The contact smelled a chemical odor and maneuvered the vehicle off the road. The next morning, he discovered that half of the engine manifold and the spark plug retention wires were melted. The dealer had the vehicle towed and could not determine how the fire originated. The vehicle has not been repaired. The dealer is waiting to speak with the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were less than 96,000. Remailed 10/20/09.
Buick safety recall 07035 on 1998 Buick Regal. Consumer states that he asked for reimbursement for expenses related to correcting the safety defect but was refused. The consumer stated the vehicle smoked and had an odor. The consumer stated the recall indicated a new front rocker cover gasket would be installed with an improved design and replace the spark plug wire channel with new retainers. Gm sent the consumer a denial letter that stated 1 of 3 reasons why he was denied. The consumer was informed the valve cover gasket was leaking oil onto the exhaust manifold. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer and informed them that he had the valve cover gaskets replaced. They told him the gaskets used were not the correct ones and the brackets were not changed. So, the dealer went ahead and replaced the gaskets.
The contact owns a 1998 Buick Regal. The contact noticed oil leaking from the front valve cover gasket onto the exhaust manifold. The failure previously caused the vehicle to catch fire. Gm recall number 90047 and NHTSA campaign id number 09v116000 will not correct the failure. The contact will take the vehicle in for repair. The failure mileage was 140,000.
My vehicle caught fire in November 2007, the fire was started in the engine on the manifold. The fire dept responded to the fire and called the vehicle a total loss. A fire report was written at that time as to the events leading to the fire etc. The vehicle was towed to a local salvage yard and scraped for metal. I only had liability insurance so the vehicle was not covered. The vehicle was burnt so badly that I had to get it off the street directly after that,March 2008 I received a safety recall stating if I had 98 Buick Regal GS that it wasn't safe to drive because the engines were catching fire due to faulty gaskets on the manifold. I called gm and told them that had happened to my vehicle and asked if they would be responsible? gm told me to send them the fire report and a letter stating who towed the burnt car and where it went so I did what they asked. Once gm got the fire report proving that is where the fire started then they told me they needed pics of the burnt engine which they knew I couldn't provide because I no longer have the car and at the time it burnt I wasn't aware of the recall so I didn't take pics or save the car for viewing. Gm isn't going to compensate me for my loss and its their fault. The fire report proves their recall is why I no longer have a car. Please help me!.
My sister bought new the 1998 Buick Regal; in 2002 she died and willed her car to me. It has been a great car except: in sept. 2007, after a short drive, I parked the car in open driveway, and walked to house; minutes later my husband, nearby, saw smoke coming from under the hood. He opened it and poured water to extinguish the visible fire on the manifold. It took over a month for the nearest mechanic - we live in a rural area an hour from the nearest reputable Buick dealer - to repair. He had to try everything because it was not apparent why the fire started (replaced spark plugs and wires that were burned, changed coolant just in case, checked everything, etc). Then in April I received the recall notice from Buick stating exactly this problem. I did what they said: sent in all receipts for reimbursement, asking for the cost of repairs only totaling $677. Meanwhile, I also went to the dealer 1 hour away and they replaced the faulty gasket. Now they say they will give me $300 max (saying that some statue of limitations has run out and they are only doing this as a courtesy, not an obligation). I am wondering if I have any other recourse to getting the full compensation, as they had promised in the recall notice. As I see from others on your website, the fire could have been far worse, and it also could have happened again. Doesn't gm take a little more responsibility for endangering people's lives, than a mere $300? awaiting your reply. Gloria mclean, andes, NY.
Cracked intake manifold (plastic) resulting in $700 repair bill. This part should not have been plastic - cannot withstand pressures!.
Complaint received via e-mail. Intake manifold was causing leakage of the antifreeze that eventually leaked out the exhaust pipe. This led to other repairs that needed to be fixed.
My car's radiator cooling light came on, and I discovered that the overflow tank was empty. Since it was zero degrees out, I was afraid the engine would freeze. My local repair shop found the upper manifold leaking and charged me over $900 to replace it and refill the cooling system. I now discover that this was in two previous mfg bulletins. Buick refuses to reimburse me saying I had to drive it to their dealer (a distance away). I feel this is unfair. It is a defect that I discovered they have rectified in recent models.