Buick Lesabre longevity and increasing it

[Traz]

Another thing that fails is the center console cover. The one you rest your elbow on when you are driving. These break because of the stress that the spring-loaded hinge exerts on the cover over time. With mine, I just cut one of the legs off from the spring in order to disable it. I had my son (he's an engineer) 3D print me a new cover because these are ridiculously expensive on ebay.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

Good Stuff Traz.

Continuing further with our 'LeSabre longevity' discussion, I would fall short if I did not add something that I feel is quite substantial toward 3.8L longevity. I prefer for the cooling fans to come on at a much lower temperature than what is setup from the factory. The problem is, by default, the P04 PCM doe not have control of the cooling fans. Instead they are controlled the BCM. I change it to where the PCM tells the BCM to allow the PCM to control the cooling fans. This way, I can set the cooling fans to run at the temperatures that make more sense to me. How significant is it? I think it's a major risk as to how excessively high that I've seen the coolant temperatures reach before the BCM commands the cooling fans on. Before I switched over to PCM control. I could sometimes see the coolant temperatures reach 210 degrees F before the first fan was commanded on.

Now that the PCM is in control on all of my LeSabre's...
- I have Fan-1 set to turn on at 89.5 deg C (193.1 F) then off at 87.5 deg C (189.5 F)
- I have Fan-2 set to turn on at 92 deg C (197.6 F) then off at 90 deg C (194 F)
- Then both fans off when the car is above 45mph. then resume temperature control below 40mph.

Regardless of the GM 3.8L being such a durable engine, I think permitting any engine coolant temperatures to rise so high is just not a good thing to do. And subsequentially helps the 4T65e to last longer (in combination with implementing the changes that Traz and myself have highlighted thus far in this discussion on 4T65e longevity).

Also, I appreciate the very helpful corrosion prevention measures offered by the folks who live in the northern states. An area that I can learn from you folks since we don't have much corrosion here in the south.

 

[DrivenDaily]

Good Stuff Traz.

Continuing further with our 'LeSabre longevity' discussion, I would fall short if I did not add something that I feel is quite substantial toward 3.8L longevity. I prefer for the cooling fans to come on at a much lower temperature than what is setup from the factory. The problem is, by default, the P04 PCM doe not have control of the cooling fans. Instead they are controlled the BCM. I change it to where the PCM tells the BCM to allow the PCM to control the cooling fans. This way, I can set the cooling fans to run at the temperatures that make more sense to me. How significant is it? I think it's a major risk as to how excessively high that I've seen the coolant temperatures reach before the BCM commands the cooling fans on. Before I switched over to PCM control. I could sometimes see the coolant temperatures reach 210 degrees F before the first fan was commanded on.

Now that the PCM is in control on all of my LeSabre's...
- I have Fan-1 set to turn on at 89.5 deg C (193.1 F) then off at 87.5 deg C (189.5 F)
- I have Fan-2 set to turn on at 92 deg C (197.6 F) then off at 90 deg C (194 F)
- Then both fans off when the car is above 45mph. then resume temperature control below 40mph.

Regardless of the GM 3.8L being such a durable engine, I think permitting any engine coolant temperatures to rise so high is just not a good thing to do. And subsequentially helps the 4T65e to last longer (in combination with implementing the changes that Traz and myself have highlighted thus far in this discussion on 4T65e longevity).

Also, I appreciate the very helpful corrosion prevention measures offered by the folks who live in the northern states. An area that I can learn from you folks since we don't have much corrosion here in the south.

How did you change from BCM- to PCM-control of the fans?

I have HP Tuners but haven't used it in a long time, and then it was only to install a file that a buddy modified for me. He had the same vehicle at the time.

 

[RD_Atlanta]

Have a look at the attached PDF. I can only speak for where these settings are physically located within the Jet software GUI. However, these settings are all part of the P04 PCM OS used in your 2005 LeSabre, so these same settings should be located somewhere within the HPT GUI once you have your file open. Be sure to save the file to a different name so that you'll always have a copy of the file that your buddy modified for you (the calibration that you are running) to resort back to if ever needed. Once you have the settings changed and pushed to your PCM, it's easy to check that the fans are working in accordance with your settings by monitoring the coolant temperature that the PCM sees on your onboard dash monitoring system (if you your LeSabre has it) or you can use a scanner.

 

[coffey]

I just bought a 2004 Lesabre Custom with 106k miles on it. It was garaged and well maintained by the late owner. In fact it looks and feels like a new car.
I will be performing the usual recommended maintenance. However, are there any specific problem areas?
What has been your experience with issues like -
Cloth seats, do they wear?
Would it be wise to get a protective cover of some sort?
Transmission - I've read it can be a problem area.
Does it help to change the fluid to something specific and often.
I see there is a TSB about changing the magnet.
I live in the rust belt. - wire brush and undercoat?
Ride - change the air ride to conventional?
I welcome any suggestions.

I have a 2002 Custom with leather seats. Has 217K miles. I like the leather because easier to clean and easier to slip in and out of. of course the 3800 engine is a beast. Trans seems fine. Had to put in a selenoid shift kit to stop a transmission code. Installed in the bottom of trans after removing the pan, not the complete solenoid replace.. Have small ticking which likely is a lifter. Been doing it for the last 40K miles. Car not worth fixing the lifter. Headliner falling down. Otherwise been very durable. I change oil every 3K miles now, previously every 5K miles.

 

[TheGrayGhost]

My 1990 Lesabre is still in great condition. The cloth seats are still holding up just fine. No rips or tears. Still holding up after 36 years. Was made in 1989, sold in Dec ‘89. Still have original V6 & tranny. Does not burn or leak oil. Only this week, had to replace original radiator. Reliability is still great after all these years.

 

[Pops05LeSabre]

I just bought a 2004 Lesabre Custom with 106k miles on it. It was garaged and well maintained by the late owner. In fact it looks and feels like a new car.
I will be performing the usual recommended maintenance. However, are there any specific problem areas?
What has been your experience with issues like -
Cloth seats, do they wear?
Would it be wise to get a protective cover of some sort?
Transmission - I've read it can be a problem area.
Does it help to change the fluid to something specific and often.
I see there is a TSB about changing the magnet.
I live in the rust belt. - wire brush and undercoat?
Ride - change the air ride to conventional?
I welcome any suggestions.

Sounds like you scored! I've got an 05 LeSabre I inherited from my mother with 246,000 miles and it also looks and drives like it's new! I've replaced the plastic coolant elbows (one was leaking) with aluminum ones, and for good measure I replaced the thermostat, water pump and coolant. I also replaced rear shocks with coil over gas shocks instead of the COMPLETELY blown out air units. I also replaced the fuel filter, oil and battery. I'm going to replace the shift solenoids in the transmission because it's starting to perform oddly, like late (really late!) shifting first thing in the morning, and sometimes randomly shifting violently. Other than that I changed the oil and filter and am going to do a 4 wheel brake job on it soon. That's all I've had to do to it in the 2 years and 35,000 miles that I've had it. It's the best car I've ever owned (and I've owned a LOT of cars!) and the easiest to work on. I can't speak on cloth seats as mine are leather. I can tell you that you own one of the top 5 cars (maybe top 3) ever built! Sure some are prettier, some are faster, some use less fuel, but you'd be hard pressed to find a more reliable, inexpensive to maintain and well built vehicle! Happy motoring!

 

[RD_Atlanta]

Sounds like you scored! I've got an 05 LeSabre I inherited from my mother with 246,000 miles and it also looks and drives like it's new! I've replaced the plastic coolant elbows (one was leaking) with aluminum ones, and for good measure I replaced the thermostat, water pump and coolant. I also replaced rear shocks with coil over gas shocks instead of the COMPLETELY blown out air units. I also replaced the fuel filter, oil and battery. I'm going to replace the shift solenoids in the transmission because it's starting to perform oddly, like late (really late!) shifting first thing in the morning, and sometimes randomly shifting violently. Other than that I changed the oil and filter and am going to do a 4 wheel brake job on it soon. That's all I've had to do to it in the 2 years and 35,000 miles that I've had it. It's the best car I've ever owned (and I've owned a LOT of cars!) and the easiest to work on. I can't speak on cloth seats as mine are leather. I can tell you that you own one of the top 5 cars (maybe top 3) ever built! Sure some are prettier, some are faster, some use less fuel, but you'd be hard pressed to find a more reliable, inexpensive to maintain and well built vehicle! Happy motoring!

Totally agree, there'5 in my family, 3 of which I own. I hate to hear the stories in this forum of what others are experiencing with the newer cars. It makes one wonder what goes on in these large corporations that makes them go astray.

 

[Pops05LeSabre]

I

Leather in the lesabre will not hold up better than cloth in the long run. My car has under 60k on it and the leather is clean with no rips, but it does have some signs of minor wear only on the drivers seat. My seats are also meticulously maintained. I would like to see a picture of leather interior in a lesabre that has high miles and no maintenance, compared to a lesabre with cloth. The cloth may stain easier, but I bet it doesn't have wear like the leather.

I Have an 05 LeSabre with crazy high miles (nearing 250k!) with leather seats that are in quite remarkable condition considering the miles and translating that into how many thousands of times it was entered and exited. Honestly there is some wear, but I'm the 3rd owner/driver (been in my family since new) and I have caused the majority of the wear in the 2 years/35,000 miles that I've had it. It's 4am where I'm at, but I will happily take and post pictures of the upholstery when the sun comes up if anyone is interested...

 

[RD_Atlanta]

Sounds like you scored! I've got an 05 LeSabre I inherited from my mother with 246,000 miles and it also looks and drives like it's new! I've replaced the plastic coolant elbows (one was leaking) with aluminum ones, and for good measure I replaced the thermostat, water pump and coolant. I also replaced rear shocks with coil over gas shocks instead of the COMPLETELY blown out air units. I also replaced the fuel filter, oil and battery. I'm going to replace the shift solenoids in the transmission because it's starting to perform oddly, like late (really late!) shifting first thing in the morning, and sometimes randomly shifting violently. Other than that I changed the oil and filter and am going to do a 4 wheel brake job on it soon. That's all I've had to do to it in the 2 years and 35,000 miles that I've had it. It's the best car I've ever owned (and I've owned a LOT of cars!) and the easiest to work on. I can't speak on cloth seats as mine are leather. I can tell you that you own one of the top 5 cars (maybe top 3) ever built! Sure some are prettier, some are faster, some use less fuel, but you'd be hard pressed to find a more reliable, inexpensive to maintain and well built vehicle! Happy motoring!

Just curious, have you considered trying a shift kit in your 4t65e transmission to see if it helps the shifting? It can be done by dropping the pan. I can provide details if your interested & not familiar with what's involved.

 

[Pops05LeSabre]

Just curious, have you considered trying a shift kit in your 4t65e transmission to see if it helps the shifting? It can be done by dropping the pan. I can provide details if your interested & not familiar with what's involved.

Sure, I would appreciate the details on the shift kit. Thank you very much

 

[RD_Atlanta]

Scroll up to posts #19, #22 & #24 in this thread where I share several things that I have done that I think help the Longevity to include the shift kit. Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[02LTD2.0]