Comments: 1-15, 16-18
This car has been exceptionally reliable until a recent loss-of-coolant problem. It seems as if many GM 3800 engine owners have experienced a slow internal coolant leak because of a defective design in the plastic intake manifold. This resulted in an overheated engine and blown head gaskets. My mechanic is still working on the problem.
I used to love this car. Maybe I still do, but I expect that the water leak problem is going to cost me about $2000. Okay, that's just 4 car payments, but I'm angry at GM because this was a known problem and they didn't notify me. As a result, $2000 out of pocket. I can't imagine Toyota treating their customers this way.
Aside from that, this car gets great mileage for a large car. I average 27-30 mpg in warm weather. The rental car I'm driving now (Dodge Neon) is one half the size and only gets about 33 mpg.
It has also been very reliable. The only other problem I experienced in 131,000 miles was a defective alternator that was replaced under warranty.
My 98 Bonnevile lost about 2 quarts of coolent in 3000 miles, with 67000 miles on the engine. Normally an engine uses none without a visable leak. However, thanks to these forums I suspected the plastic intake, my mechanic removed it and I was shown the hole. Luckily it was found before any damage to the engine. He found an aftermarket intake that is beefed up in this area to avoid this problem in the future. However, I will still watch coolent levels from now on. I suggest all who own this car to replace thiers before expensive engine damage. It was around $250. plus labor, new anti-freeze and an oil change. Total around $600.00.
I also had the manifold intake problem to the tune of $2200.00CDN and broken down far from home. Does anyone know if GM is considering liability?? Also a problem with an unreliable ignition. but I loved the car great performance and ride a lot of bang for the buck.
Same, same. Intake manifold problem to the tune of $2000.00CDN. Considering all of the complaints resulting from the plastic upper intake manifold, its time for a North American wide recall by GM and restitution for those owners who have already paid to resolve this issue. Love the car, but unfortunately its my first and last GM car. Its time for Government transportation and consumer protection agencies on both sides of the border to take note and start recall proceedings to force GM to address the issue.
Ouch! I too got stung by this problem to the tune of $1300 to replace the intake manifold (upper and lower) plus flush out or the motor and new plugs. I too am angry that I was not made aware of this problem that could have been avoided by replacing the manifold. Unfortunately its too late for me. I will not consider another GM product given this problem and GM's lack of concern for their products.
You said you can't imagine Toyota (or Honda, etc.) treating a customer this way? Well, read some of the comments written about recent Camry, Accord, Odyssey, Acura, etc. They ain't much better, they just get better press coverage.
Well first you all should spell your own words right like organization for one, instead of organisation. Does your spell checker work? Second of all I have had four intake manifolds put on a 1998 Buick Park Avenue with a 3800 engine; 3 by Mr. Goodwrench. Every time I see GM CEOs on National TV whining about bankruptcy I want to puke. I hope they do go under so others do not get stuck being lab animals for their very expensive mistakes like a plastic intake manifold. I HAVE BOUGHT MY LAST GM UNLESS THE DEALER WILL GUARANTEE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR AS LONG AS I OWN IT.
Yeah, Honda is treating me bad. My 94 Accord with 243,000 miles just had the power antenna chopped off in the car wash and then they said they would replace it for free! Well, I guess Honda likes me!
We purchased this car for my son as a graduation present, it turned into a graduation nightmare. Because of the leak of antifreeze, it ruined the engine. To replace the engine with a new engine it will cost $3,500.00. To replace the engine with a used engine it will cost between $1,800.00 to 2,300.00. GM should be ashamed of themselves if they knew this problem existed.
I would like to join the ranks of those with the plastic intake problem. I have a 98 Park Avenue that is presently in the shop having lifters and a new intake installed. I learned from the previous owner that he had the same problem at 49000 miles and replaced the intake and lifters as well. My problem appeared at 108000 and you can well understand why this car will go on the trading block with this track record. It would seem General Motors would build a more reliable engine to put in what was the flagship automobile for 1998. Between this problem and replacing two plastic door handle housings can there be any wonder why Toyota is kicking GM's butt in the auto market. The local service manager at my Buick dealership said the intake problems appear there in an "ongoing" manner. I have a 92Buick Century with 301000 miles on it so I know they can build good engines. I think they should own up to building a dud in the 3800 and fix the problem or do a redesign. My neighbor has a new Lucerne with basically the same engine and after seeing the complaints on the Internet plans to trade that car when the warranty expires. Stay away from the Buick plastic intake engines! they'll bite you hard in the pocket book.
Does anyone know when GM began installing this defective part? I have been looking at several mid 90's GM cars with this engine, yet don't know if they are safe to buy. Thanks!
As a GM tech I would love to know what auto back-round you all have. I also know many are very happy with they're 3800's, most people in the industry consider the 3800 to be bullet proof. I'm currently working on one with 290000km the cylinder walls still have the cross hatch in them. I also know there are many factors that contribute to the intake issue, such as coolant condition and exhaust temp as the egr passage goes right by the area of concern. Which can heat the plastic intake to beyond what it was meant to handle. I hope this helps. It's so easy to blame someone else for our misfortunes, so after you buy your Honda and have to replace the alternator for 1000 bucks maybe the old 3800 won't look so bad. Good luck to all.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 3800 is as bulletproof as the average butt cheek. The problems we are experiencing are real, and probably as widespread and threatening as any GM has ever experienced.
I have a 1996 Olds Ninety-Eight that is leaking - badly - at both trouble spots; at the base of the intake plenum (near the throttle body,) and between the lower intake manifold and cylinder heads. I've been fortunate in that no coolant has yet made it's way into the crankcase, and if any has gone through the cylinders it's apparently only been tiny, atomized amounts.
Financially unable to immediately repair the car or withdraw it from service, I've topped off the coolant daily and kept an equally vigilant watch on the oil for evidence of coolant contamination (...none so far.) Recently, the car has developed severe driveability issues I suspect are linked to burning coolant: damaged sensors and/or the like.
I believe that the coolant leaks quickly multiply once they've begun, and that once a noticeable coolant loss is evident, significant damage has already been done. When enough coolant is lost, the plastic plenum is suddenly very vulnerable to the hot EGR gasses passing through it, and the rubber & plastic lower intake gaskets are also likely deformed. In addition, the exaggerated expansion and contraction of the aluminum lower intake probably deforms the bearing surfaces under the bolt heads and/or stretches the intake manifold bolts themselves, meaning they are subsequently "loose."
I will know much more in the coming days, as I've bought the parts and tools necessary to make the mechanical repairs myself. When done, I'll take the car for diagnosis to address it's driveability issues and hope that I can afford to correct them.
In my opinion, GM began making trouble for itself when it started doing away with diverse products made by different divisions for different people. If this engine were only in Buicks for example, GM would not be as badly hurt as it will inevitably be by this screw-up. Instead, GM now puts a few common engines in all of it's car lines, like putting all of it's eggs in one basket. It's big trouble when an egg-basket this big gets dropped, and now more than ever I wish my Ninety-Eight had a truly bulletproof engine: a good old steel and cast iron Rocket V8.
I have owned 4 Bonneville's in the past. Currently own 3 of them. The 3800 engine is the best engine in the world. This coolant / manifold leak problem is a $200 fix.
I just made a 1000 mile trip in my '95 Bonne. Got 34mpg. Toyota and Honda don't come close. All you guys that want to sell your car with a 3800 engine in it... I'll buy it.
This intake on the GM 3800 has been a problem since I owned the car. I Have a 95 Bonneville I purchased in AUG of 94. This has been the worst car I have ever owned maintenance wise. I am on my 2nd motor and have replaced the plastic plenum on that motor 3 times. Twice in the last 6 months by GM. The list of the other repairs can go on forever.
You should get a new mechanic. Replacing the manifold twice in 6 months means someone is doing a bad job. I have the 3800 series II in my car. The manifold was replaced in 2003, it probably had around 80k on it then.
I bought the car in 2006 (108k miles). I have yet to have a manifold issue and I drive my car every day and currently have 144k on the clock. If it was replaced with the improved manifold it shouldn't go bad that that soon, period.