DrivenDaily
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- Buick Ownership
- 2005 LeSabre Limited
2005 LeSabre Limited with 205,ooo miles.
When I bought it 7 months ago, I noted a coolant leak but the 'famous last words' now seem to be true: "it never seemed too bad, but now it's worse!"
Recently we've had some really cold days, some of them ranging from 0°F to 10°F overnight. It started with the occasional smell of coolant inside, but no signs of wet carpet (leaky heater core) or coolant on the ground at the fire wall (leaky hoses). Last week on the way to work, even with the HVAC temp set to 90°F, I could barely get any heat inside the car. At least the temp gauge registered in the middle, so the engine seems okay. I added nearly a gallon of coolant and it was better for a while.
Today I made a trip to town, about 15-20 miles each way, and there was just no heat inside again. I bought a new 16 PSI cap and 2 gallons of pre-mix and removed the old 15 PSI cap. I added 1 whole gallon to the reservoir. As I opened the 2nd gallon, coolant was flowing into the radiator. When it got to the top I put the cap on, then added a little more coolant to the reservoir.
I inspected under the hood when I got home. I can smell the sweet odor of coolant and see a very small bit of steam rising from the area between the water pump and firewall.
It still has the plastic elbows, so I'll get some metal ones coming.
The only experience I have with the 3800 is what I've read on this forum. I'm very capable of doing the work needed, but I would appreciate your thoughts on what might be the most likely suspect(s).
Thank you for taking the time to read this and respond!
When I bought it 7 months ago, I noted a coolant leak but the 'famous last words' now seem to be true: "it never seemed too bad, but now it's worse!"
Recently we've had some really cold days, some of them ranging from 0°F to 10°F overnight. It started with the occasional smell of coolant inside, but no signs of wet carpet (leaky heater core) or coolant on the ground at the fire wall (leaky hoses). Last week on the way to work, even with the HVAC temp set to 90°F, I could barely get any heat inside the car. At least the temp gauge registered in the middle, so the engine seems okay. I added nearly a gallon of coolant and it was better for a while.
Today I made a trip to town, about 15-20 miles each way, and there was just no heat inside again. I bought a new 16 PSI cap and 2 gallons of pre-mix and removed the old 15 PSI cap. I added 1 whole gallon to the reservoir. As I opened the 2nd gallon, coolant was flowing into the radiator. When it got to the top I put the cap on, then added a little more coolant to the reservoir.
I inspected under the hood when I got home. I can smell the sweet odor of coolant and see a very small bit of steam rising from the area between the water pump and firewall.
It still has the plastic elbows, so I'll get some metal ones coming.
The only experience I have with the 3800 is what I've read on this forum. I'm very capable of doing the work needed, but I would appreciate your thoughts on what might be the most likely suspect(s).
Thank you for taking the time to read this and respond!
