Looking @ buying a 1996 Park Avenue Ultra with 21000 miles.

[-Regal-]

I had to replace them on a '99 probably almost 10 years ago now but it had higher mileage.. not sure how much that contributes rather than just age alone. But by the time I replaced them, the radiator needed replacement as well. They may not have even been the factory elbows as that engine had some work done on it before I owned it. The Dorman ones had o-rings but you could probably obtain Delco ones or use your own if you so wished. More than worrying about replacing the o-rings, I would coat them with some pipe dope before installation.

 

[Flivver]

Oh is this what the kids call a rant, sorry I'm old and don't know LMAO

Kind of reminiscent of what usually emits from a "misthaufen".

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

1996 was the first year for the Series II? I would preemptively replace the plastic cooling elbows around the alternator bracket with aftermarket aluminum ones such as those made by Dorman Help! found in most auto parts stores.

actually the first years of the series 2 only had 1 plastic elbow, the alternator tensioner bracket has to be changed in order to use the one that takes 2 plastic. The metal lower one is tricky and I believe people were breaking the brackets so that is why they changed it to the plastic

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Thanks for advise.I noticed this issue on the internet & wondered if the Dorman elbows now have good "o" rings supplied or what should be used instead so no leaks after replacement.?
I would need to have this done by a shop so anyone know expected cost or time involved? Do these elbows catastrophicly fail or just start to leak? Is failure common on a low mileage car like mine or due to time being almost 27 years old.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I would use the gm metal elbows they make them now

24502846 o rings gm

this is the only one on a 96



see how it says per veh 3 on the top one? that means the lower pipe uses 1 but its pressed into the bracket on the other side, not needing an o ring.

I would just get the metal elbow that is Ac delco gold(they do indeed appear to be GM o rings despite being ac delco gold)

 

[-Regal-]

I would just get the metal elbow that is Ac delco gold(they do indeed appear to be GM o rings despite being ac delco gold)

A GM part number is a good sign. Since there was no equivalent metal factory part I guess it would not be released under the OE line (that should in theory be the plastic one) and be considered an AC Delco aftermarket upgraded part. In some cases that's a good thing, and in others I imagine it's not always.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Just so others can play along lol.

 

[HotZ28]

see how it says per veh 3 on the top one? that means the lower pipe uses 1 but its pressed into the bracket on the other side, not needing an o ring.

There is an O-ring behind the tensioner bracket, shown as #337 in the previous post.

 

[Buick fan46]

actually the first years of the series 2 only had 1 plastic elbow, the alternator tensioner bracket has to be changed in order to use the one that takes 2 plastic. The metal lower one is tricky and I believe people were breaking the brackets so that is why they changed it to the plastic

So should I worry about a total failure of these elbows or do these just start to leak that I can check whenever I fill up the gas tank & should I worry @ 22000 miles & 27 years of age? So only have to change one elbow or is this even more complicated ? I never knew or heard about this alternator tensioner bracket change. Despite being a great engine there seems quite a few problems appearing in other areas as these cars age. My concern is also the availability of parts too .

 

[-Regal-]

The elbow(s) are one of the things seemingly done for planned obsolescence. If one did not know where to look, this little elbow could be easily overlooked and one might assume they have something much worse going on. I can't imagine how many 3800 Series II cars were scrapped just because of a little plastic elbow.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

So should I worry about a total failure of these elbows or do these just start to leak that I can check whenever I fill up the gas tank & should I worry @ 22000 miles & 27 years of age? So only have to change one elbow or is this even more complicated ? I never knew or heard about this alternator tensioner bracket change. Despite being a great engine there seems quite a few problems appearing in other areas as these cars age. My concern is also the availability of parts too .

based on your coolant and mileage, I wouldnt expect it to break
But we dont ever usually get that luxury to prepare for future problems often either. Because of the age that is the largest factor IMO

 

[Buickguy123]

So should I worry about a total failure of these elbows or do these just start to leak that I can check whenever I fill up the gas tank & should I worry @ 22000 miles & 27 years of age? So only have to change one elbow or is this even more complicated ? I never knew or heard about this alternator tensioner bracket change. Despite being a great engine there seems quite a few problems appearing in other areas as these cars age. My concern is also the availability of parts too .

Just drive the car and do not worry about anything except those tires should be replaced. I suggest Costco Sam's Club Discount Tires or even Walmart for tires. That elbow leaked once on my 93 PA. You have series 2 but it is easy to see on series 1. When and if it leaks you will know. It is not good since hot coolant can drip down on the wiring harness to the CPS and CMPS destroying those wires I know but so can the water pump when it fails. Just drive it and when stuff happens you deal with it. Even Toyotas and Hondas break.

 

[BuickGirlFromMars]

Just drive the car and do not worry about anything except those tires should be replaced. I suggest Costco Sam's Club Discount Tires or even Walmart for tires. That elbow leaked once on my 93 PA. You have series 2 but it is easy to see on series 1. When and if it leaks you will know. It is not good since hot coolant can drip down on the wiring harness to the CPS and CMPS destroying those wires I know but so can the water pump when it fails. Just drive it and when stuff happens you deal with it. Even Toyotas and Hondas break.

You dont want to do that to the point of allowing things to catastrophically fail, but for this narrow situation, yes , it would probably be fine since you can see the coolant gauge and the engines are usually ok if you shut them off