Engine manifold gasket developed leak into th engine and the engine seaized due to leak, this is manufacturer defect due to installing plastic causeing it to melt and develop leak blow my head gasket at 135000, in all the only problem was the leak I'm now installing a 2000 impala ls engine in it, it is ceaper then actual repair.
I would try This solution to problems with the plastic
intake manifold. The following is a cut/paste from Ken-Co Industries, which has
a Upper Plenum and Lower Intake Repair Kit. http://www.ken-co.com/manifold/default.htm
1-800-263-4283 It appears they do not sell direct, but can direct you to a
distributor. Here is their text:
Background:
Some vehicle owners are complaining of excessive engine coolant consumption, or
an engine coolant leak near or under the throttle body area of the upper intake
manifold. The problem is that the EGR passage melts the upper intake plenum, so
that composite material degrades around the EGR stove pipe and could result in
an internal or external coolant leak.
If the coolant leaks into the upper plenum it could result in "hydro-lock?of
the cylinders, requiring at best, spark plug and oil pan removal in order to
free up the engine's moving parts. This, however, does not correct the problem.
You are right on! I purchased the upper plenum intake repair kit from Ken-co last week and completed the repair over the weekend. Everything is running smoothly again and I hope, will continue to run smooth. This repair, all in all cost me approximately $100 (including a new gasket) which is a lot better than the $800 quote that I shopped from local repair shops. Just thought I'd post an AMEN.
I own a 1998 buick lesabre (3.8 engine) at 60,000 miles the plastic intake manifold and gasket failed, resulting in the engine locking up. After inspecting I also found the nose of the starter broke off. Ater installing new after market intake and gaskets and draining water and antifreeze from engine and replacing starter the car is back on the road and pleased with it's performance.. hopefully my 2001 lesabre will not have this problem.
"hopefully my 2001 lesabre will not have this problem."
I wouldn't be too hopeful, the problematic plenum was used in non-supercharged 3800 vehicles through 2003 model year.
For some reason in all the reports I've read, the 1999 model doesn't have this problem. Any reason why this might be the case? Slightly different gasket?
Regardless, I'm keeping my eyes peeled on the coolant reservoir level. So far, so good.
My 98 Le Sabre had it's meltdown 800 miles from home while on our way to a funeral. We left the car at a shop in a little town in Florida and rented a car to go on to Georgia to the funeral. $761. later plus $175 for rental car we were on our way home. Got about 300 miles down the road and the serpentine belt pulley froze (belt OK they said). Fixed that (another shop and hotel bill) got home only to have to replace belt and one other gadget I can't remember. It is now back in the shop for a problem with the security system not reading the chip in the keys. It thinks I am trying to steal it so it shuts the car down for 3 min. If you are lucky, it only goes through one cycle. Saturday it took 15-3 min cycles. I can't wait to get this bill. I am told this should have been a recall item because there is no back up or no way to disconnect it. I have been told it is about a $300+ fix. I will never have another Buick as long as I live.
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