NHTSA Complaint #10139039 — 1997 BUICK LESABRE

DT: WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED. THIS WAS THE FIRST INCIDENT OF THIS TYPE. THE CONTACT OWNS A BUICK LESABRE THAT HAS A PLASTIC INTAKE CALLED A PLENUM. THIS DEVICE CRACKED AND ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO BE MIXED WITH THE OIL. THIS CAUSED A VAPOR LOCK. NOW, TWO OF THE CYLINDERS SHOW ZERO COMPRESSION, AND A THIRD SHOWS A PRESSURE OF 60 POUNDS. THE ENGINE WAS TOTALED AND MUST BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTOMOBILE REPAIR SHOP, AND THE MECHANIC MADE THESE TERMINATIONS. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO A BUICK DEALER, WHO SAID THEY DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. AT THIS TIME, NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK