1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

FUEL PRESSURE IS INCORRECT, STALLING, HIGH AND LOW RPMS, AT STOP SIGN, INCLUDING AND NOT LIMITED TO START, DRIVING, ETC. PLEASE HELP!. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A LOUD BACKFIRE AND VISIBLE SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS BLOWN APART. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF RAW FUEL. I CONTACTED A LOCAL BUICK DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WILL COST IN THE RANGE OF $2000 - $2500 DOLLARS.

Mileage: 42,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE, RUN HOT, AND MAKE SOUNDS AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS GULPING WATER. THE MOTOR LOCKED UP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. A MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE MOTOR LOCKED UP BECAUSE COOLANT WAS ENTERING INTO THE MOTOR. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN THREE YEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. HE PAID FOR THE REPAIRS ON BOTH OCCASIONS. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 03-25-08 *BF THE DEALER STATED PERFORMED FUEL RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. UPDATED 03/25/08 *TR

Mileage: 133,485

I PURCHASED 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE, FROM SANDERSON LINCOLN-MERCURY DEALERSHIP, GLENDALE, AZ 85301, ON FEBRUARY 24, 2005. SUBSEQUENTLY, I EXPERIENCED A MECHANICAL BREAK-DOWN ON APRIL 30, 2005. HENCE, I HAVE DISCERNED THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 24, 2004, CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V0900000 AND CAMPAIGN NUMBER 00V17000 ON APRIL 18, 2000. I AM WRITING BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED BOTH DEFECTS. THE FORMER CAMPAIGN CAUSED ME TO EXPEND $900. FOR REPAIRS FOR A CRACKED MANIFOLD AND THE LATTER WAS RECENTLY EXPERIENCE WHEN THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COULD NOT ATTACH THE SAFETY SEAT BELT BECAUSE IT HAD JAMMED. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT MY RECOURSES SHOULD BE? POWER BUICK, SCOTTSDALE, AZ, NEVER ADVISE ME OF A RECALL THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE AUTO'S BREAKDOWN...BUT DID CHARGE ME $887.44 FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. *NM

Mileage: 68,179

1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE HAD THE WATER PUMP , FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR, OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, LEFT DOOR LOCK CONTROL BEZEL, TENSIONER PULLEY AND BEARING REPLACED.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***.*MR THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE JUMPED PAST THE FULL MARK THEN ALL THE WAY BACK AROUND TO EMPTY. THE PLASTIC UPPER INTAKE PLENUM WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD WARPED FROM THE HEAT AND STARTED TO LEAK. *NM

1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE DEFECTIVE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. *MR (LEAKING FUEL REGULATORS) ON FEBRUARY 11, 2003, THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WAS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT RECALL# 03V473000 WAS ISSUED. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. *SC *JB

VEHICLE'S MANIFOLD IS CRACKED. *MR THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START AND A NEW BATTERY WAS NEEDED. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WARRANTY INSURANCE DENIED COVERAGE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. *SC THE STARTED HOUSING WAS ALSO CRACKED. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB

CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE TO 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE. *MR 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. *SC *JB

AN INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AT THE OWNER EXPENSE OF $ 692.00. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RECALL. CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER WHY THEY DENIED THE REIMBURSEMENT. *NM *SC *JB

CONSUMER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE. *PH THE RECALL WAS FOR THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR (03V-473). THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THE DOCUMENTATION THAT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED DID NOT SUBSTANTIATED THE REQUEST. THE CONSUMER RESUBMITTED THE CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT. *NM

Mileage: 74,899

THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE THE PART WASN'T COVERED UNDER RECALL. *PH THE FUEL PRESSURE DIAPHRAGM LEAKED WHICH OCCURRED 10 MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE BACKFIRED WITH SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND BROKE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THAT BLEW THE CAP OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE SERVICE DEALER HAD NOT REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO REPLACE THE REGULATOR, WHICH HE DID. THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR DAMAGES WHICH HE PAID FOR AND THE CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL#03V473000. *SC *JB

CONSUMER DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR MOTOR REPLACEMENT PRIOR TO RECEIVING FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR RECALL. *PH THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTICE 03V-473. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. *NM

REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR MADE PRIOR TO LEARNING OF RECALL NOTICE. *PH THE VEHICLE'S FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION (03V-473). THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE STATUS OF HIS REIMBURSEMENT. *NM

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL BECAUSE IT CAME FROM A DIFFERENT PLANT. *PH THE RECALL WAS ON THE VEHICLE FUEL PRESSSURE REGULATOR. *NM

THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAD PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL OIL PRESSURE. *NM

Mileage: 78,000

WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS FILLED TO HIGH GAS SPILLED OVER INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR: THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR WENT OUT ON MY 1998 BUICK PARK AVENUE 3800 V6 AND I HAD IT REPLACED ON 8-19-03 AT A COST OF $142.79. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT BUICK HAS NOW ISSUED A RECALL ON THE BUICK PARK AVENUE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN #03V473000) FOR FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS AND BUICK HAS INFORMED ME THAT MY PARK AVENUE IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR IS INVOLVED WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT BUICK IS NOW INVOLVED IN. I BELIEVE THAT IF MY CAR IS INVOLVED THAT BUICK SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MY REPAIR AND THE COST THAT I HAVE INCURRED. I HAVE DOCUMENTS TO SUPPORT THE FACT THAT THE PART WAS REPLACED AND I PAID FOR THE REPAIR. *CB

Mileage: 33,359

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.

Mileage: 60,000

VEHICLE PROBLEMS WITH START UP/ VEHICLE FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *MR THE BATTERY HAD GONE DEAD OVERNIGHT. (PRIOR TO THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT, THE BATTERY APPEARED TO BE CHARGED) THE ENGINE EXPLODED AS SOON AS THE KEY WAS TURNED ON. THERE WAS SLIPPAGE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE INTAKE PLENTIUM, FUEL RAIL, THE IGNITION WIRES, 2 INJECTORS, ENGINE COVER SHIELD, OIL FILLER CAP, MAP SENSOR, PCV COVER, AND THE BATTERY ALL WERE REPLACED. *SCC *JB

'98 PARK AVE 4DR. ENGINE BACKFIRED, LUCKY TO GET IT STARTED IT SOUND LIKE A HOT-ROD, BUT DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE, WE REPLACED THE FUEL PRESSURE REGULATOR (DIAPHRAGM RUPTURED)$750.00. WE ALSO,DROVE IT HOME ABOUT 50 MILES. I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE DROVE IT HOME WITH OUR 1 YEAR OLD SON IF WE KNEW THAT IT WAS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD. THANKS!

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS MADE OFF PLASTIC, AND OVER A PERIOD OF TIME THE PLASTIC MELTS AND MAKES A HOLE, AND SUCKS THE COOLANT INTO THE ENGINE, WHICH FLOODS THE ENGINE. AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT. TS

WHILE TURNING ON VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION THAT CAME FROM ENGINE, CAUSING CABINET DOOR TO BLOW OPEN. CONTACTED DEALER WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE FUEL REGULATOR WAS FAULTY, TOO MUCH PRESS. *JG

INTAKE MANIFOLD FAILED, ALLOWING COOLANT TO ENTER ENGINE COST 1,400 TO REPAIR. *AK

LOW COOLENT LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. TOOK CAR IN TO LOCATE LEAK ,COULD NOT LOCATE THE LEAK. WE KEPT ADDING WATER ABOUT 1 GALLON A WEEK UNTILL STARTER BROKE. FOUND WATER IN THE HEADS, DUE TO A FAILED SEAL IN THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLED.*AK

IT DOES NOT MATTER IF TANK IS FULL OR EMPTY FUEL BACKS UP IN NECK, AND WILL SHUT OUT ONTO WHOMEVER IS STANDING IN FRONT OF GAS NOZZLE. DEALER REPLACED FUEL FILLER NECK. WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY AFTER FUEL FILLER NECK NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN. CONSUMER FEELS THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

VEHICLE WAS SITTING OVERNIGHT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START IT BY TURNING KEY IN IGNITION, AND VEHICLE EXPLODED AND CAUGHT ON FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARMENT. VEHICLE WAS NOT A TOTAL LOSS. FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN INTERNAL FUEL LEAKAGE. *AK

FUEL PUMP NOISY. YH