Puzzling factory wheels on my new to me 2005 LeSabre w/ 32K original miles.

[JBeechcraft]

Hey folks! First post here. Driving home, a 2005 Buick Lesabre parked in a driveway just kept getting my attention. No previous experience with anything but Toyotas and Volvo 240s, but this looked so nice and it never moved. I decided to mail a letter and asked if they might be interested in selling the car. I got a response back from the "executor of the estate" telling me that the previous original owner had just passed away. The executor told me that they needed to cut keys and that the battery was surely dead from sitting for at least a year. They did get a locksmith out there and cut the PK3 key. Executor told me that several people were interested in the car and that he was there to maximize the benefits to the "estate." Disillusioned quickly, but, I told him I wasn't really interested in having him/them do anything to the car and that I'd take it "as is," - music to his ears! Two weeks later, the executor text me" $1,500 and it's yours". I bought it immediately. There was a receipt in the car for a 9 month old Interstate battery which I took out and back to the shop that sold it. Shockingly, they replaced it! I was guessing the mileage to be around 135K or so in my mind, not knowing since the battery was dead and the executor had no idea. To my surprise, it showed 32K miles and the CarFax supported it and gave a long history of many pretty un-needed services and a rich history of the original owner. I poured 5 gallons of fresh fuel in it and bingo, fired right up. I'm going to set it up for the long haul and drive the holy heck out of it, meaning many miles, not drive it harshly. I've ordered new tires, Dex Cool, new radiator and hoses, new brakes pads, new oil and Wix filters all around. I'm fully capable of attending to pretty much anything and everything with this car and since I washed and waxed it, I'm SHOCKED at how really pristine the car is - inside and out! This car has 16 inch factory chrome wheels and I can't understand why, nor do I ever see any others with these rims. This is a CUSTOM model (not the limited), and the tire size is 225/60R16. Some sources seem to indicate a "touring" version, or "touring" upgrade/feature but I have no idea how to tell. I looked for a "sway bar" in the rear and don't really see one. The VIN is: 1G4HP52K55U148845 and I don't see anything on the door sills, glove box or trunk that indicate any other features. I'm going to go ahead and drain the trans fluid and use Dexron VI out of the gate. I've also ordered an aluminum zzp aluminum/finned transmission pan with drain plug so that I can drain it and do frequent drains. When I drop the original pan, I'll do the TransGo kit and install a "GM magnet" on the Wix trans filter" in addition to the magnetic drain plug coming on the zzp finned pan. ALL the parts I order are GM Genuine, or AC Delco except in the case of the radiator and just when it really doesn't make sense to use the factory parts. The tires are 13 years old, so new Michelins are ordered. This should be a super nice ride for the duration. Paint is flawless, no dents and those wheels, they really do look nice! Is this a different model or have some features that I'm unaware of? Can't seem to figure it out.

Thanks in advance for the help. I look forward to seeking the collective wisdom here and as time goes on, I'll be able to impart some of my own. I guess it's true that if you don't ask, you're guaranteed that nothing will happen. For the cost of a postage stamp and a hand written letter, I now have an inexpensive, seemingly fun car with really good bones and super low miles to enjoy as if it were 2005 all over again! At $1,500 with the low miles and pristine condition, I feel absolutely fine about spending some initial money on this car. It is my first Buick.


Jay Beechcraft

 

[MelsRegal]

Any GM dealer can look up your car features by VIN. There is also a service parts label probably in the spare tire area with all the option codes.

 

[FrecklesAndBlush]

Not much help to offer at the moment... I wanted to congratulate you on a sweet ride with one heck of a deal. Appreciate her, and she'll become your favorite, if not in the top 3. I do see aluminum wheels on the majority of the Lesabres.

My base 04 Custom has steel wheels and plastic covers, 215/70/15 98T tire size. There were upgrade options when ordered from a dealership without going to a Limited trim.

 

[JBeechcraft]

Any GM dealer can look up your car features by VIN. There is also a service parts label probably in the spare tire area with all the option codes.

Well thank you! I certainly did not think to look in the spare tire area! Appreciate your help!

 

[JBeechcraft]

Not much help to offer at the moment... I wanted to congratulate you on a sweet ride with one heck of a deal. Appreciate her, and she'll become your favorite, if not in the top 3. I do see aluminum wheels on the majority of the Lesabres.

My base 04 Custom has steel wheels and plastic covers, 215/70/15 98T tire size. There were upgrade options when ordered from a dealership without going to a Limited trim.

Thanks so much for the kind words! I will take good care of this car. I have not even registered it yet as I don't need it as much as want it. I'm going to slowly take the time to get it into 100% tip top shape before I start using it routinely. The wheels on this car are obviously Buick factory 7 spoke chrome wheels with the Buick logo center cap. They are really good looking and I have not seen another LeSabre with them on, nor with the 16" size unless it was a Limited version. It's just one of the puzzling features of this car to me. When I went to order tires, there was some suggestion of a "touring" version of this car that comes with the 16" wheels in the Custom configuration. Eventually I'll figure this out, but in the meantime, thanks again for your kind words and thoughts!

 

[imidazol97]

IIRC the RPO tag is on the underside of the cardboard over the spare tire. Those are listed various places on the net.

FE1 is a regular suspension. F41 is a fighter suspension on most GMs.

Go to car-part.com and search for replacement rims for 2005. One option shows you pictures of all types used that year AND gives you the RPO code for each.

The rims sound like the Celebration rims from 2003 year and I believe those were options later. In 2003 Celebration touring models got the Celebration rim without chrome. Instead had a grey aluminum textured surface.

 

[imidazol97]

Nothing said about coolant.

Drain and refill with Dexcool or Prestone mixes all types. Be alert for slow coolant level drops.
Those plastic elbows may have aged and will crack under heat and pressure.

 

[JBeechcraft]

Nothing said about coolant.

Drain and refill with Dexcool or Prestone mixes all types. Be alert for slow coolant level drops.
Those plastic elbows may have aged and will crack under heat and pressure.

Thank you! I did purchase the AC Delco metal coolant elbows (probably Dorman tagged as AC Delco). I did purchase the GM orange and black O-rings as well and, a couple of gallons of unmixed Prestone Dex Cool. Seems like the previous owner over serviced this car with so few miles as the Dex Cool in there now looks fresh and good, but I'm changing it any way. The Car Fax shows tons of "services," with all light bulbs being replace, tires (especially numerous rotations), wipers, serpentine belt etc..I think the older woman and her son just kept taking it in for services and both have passed away. Mom bought new in 2005 and son started driving it in 2013. Thanks for your comment!!!

 

[JBeechcraft]

IIRC the RPO tag is on the underside of the cardboard over the spare tire. Those are listed various places on the net.

FE1 is a regular suspension. F41 is a fighter suspension on most GMs.

Go to car-part.com and search for replacement rims for 2005. One option shows you pictures of all types used that year AND gives you the RPO code for each.

The rims sound like the Celebration rims from 2003 year and I believe those were options later. In 2003 Celebration touring models got the Celebration rim without chrome. Instead had a grey aluminum textured surface.

AWESOME! That helped a great deal. These are the PO5 upgrade chrome wheel. I agree that these could be the chrome "Celebration" wheels you spoke about. I will look today in the spare tire area for the tag/sticker to know what's actually on this car. Your information was REALLY helpful, even your website recommendation. Thank you so very much! BTW: I just looked around and that 7 spoke chrome wheel seems to appear on the 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra, Special Edition. They have two models of chrome 16" rims and mine's the 7 spoke. It's really one of the things that caught my attention as I drove by that car every day. They are now polished up and look fantastic! I tried to upload a pic, but says too large for server to process. Thanks again!!

 

[JGBuick]

Make sure you totally flush the system of coolant when switching chemistry. That goes for ANY coolant switch. I changed-out my Dex for PEAK 10X
universal coolant and thoroughly flushed my system with distilled water. This was done after I replaced the crumbling plastic elbows and intake gaskets. I couldn't see putting "Dex" back in there.

 

[imidazol97]

Isn't it time folks got over the old wives tale that there's something toxic about Dexcool's chemistry--especially in that it supposedly doesn't affect other chemistries of coolant.

I used Prestone Mixes in my 2003 when I did the early 2-coolant drain on the Dexcool instead of 5 years. Just drain and refill what didn't come out the radiator drain. 2 years later, repeat.

There is no need to drain away every molecule of the mix of coolant as if it were toxic. If your system has sludge because someone was mixing improper mixes of coolant, then flush to get most of it out.

Use distilled water if using concentrate to refill.

BTW, my 2003 leSabre developed cracks in the seals on the lower intake manifold gaskets sealing ridges. I started seeing a slow drop in coolant level, but it was found earliest by the Blackstone Oil Life test I ran to see how the full synthetic Prestone Platinum oil was doing. They called to tell me I had a low level of Na and K in my oil. Their solution was to change oil regularly and earlier to keep the level low and to eventually repair the seep.

My car didn't have Dexcool causing terrible things that weren't going to happen if Dexcool weren't in there.

Time for the old theories to die.

 

[imidazol97]

Before Buick put the chrome Celebration wheels on the 2003 100 year model, many of us lusted after the beautiful Cadillac and Park Avenue chromes on the same basic car chassis. Many often bought sets and replaced their dull, drab leSabre rims. I couldn't afford to do so, at least I didn't want to spend that much money to do so. LOL

I looked up the PO rim the OP mentioned, and it is a great looking rim.

Somethng else to watch on a car this old the rubber parts of the vacuum line that trails around the valve cover to the passenger side and does the U turn to the purge valve. The parts of that which are rubber can crack and open up.
I replaced mine by putting electrical shrink wrap tubing over the original and sealing it up with the plastic shrink.

The car has age but may not have the hours of high temp to deteriorate that rubber. I know people were often searching for the part number for the original replacement harness part with that in it...

 

[JBeechcraft]

AWESOME! That helped a great deal. These are the PO5 upgrade chrome wheel. I agree that these could be the chrome "Celebration" wheels you spoke about. I will look today in the spare tire area for the tag/sticker to know what's actually on this car. Your information was REALLY helpful, even your website recommendation. Thank you so very much! BTW: I just looked around and that 7 spoke chrome wheel seems to appear on the 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra, Special Edition. They have two models of chrome 16" rims and mine's the 7 spoke. It's really one of the things that caught my attention as I drove by that car every day. They are now polished up and look fantastic! I tried to upload a pic, but says too large for server to process. Thanks again!!

Thanks again for your help! I did find the sticker on the underside of the spare tire cover and went through the process of writing down each and every number with its corresponding feature. I thought this car might be a "touring" edition of some kind with those wheels but it is not with its 2.86 ratio transaxle. It is a "soft ride" suspension and those P05 wheels are a definite upgrade (7 spoke Buick chrome wheels used on models like the Park Ave. Ultra Special Edition). They certainly caught my eye driving by that car day after day. The only other thing I see that seems to possibly be an upgrade is a 140 amp alternator which seems to be on the higher end of output. Other than those features, I think this is a more common/stock Custom model. Thanks again so much for your help and assistance!! This pretty much answered ALL the questions I had about this new-to-me 2005 LeSabre. Appreciate it!

 

[JBeechcraft]

Before Buick put the chrome Celebration wheels on the 2003 100 year model, many of us lusted after the beautiful Cadillac and Park Avenue chromes on the same basic car chassis. Many often bought sets and replaced their dull, drab leSabre rims. I couldn't afford to do so, at least I didn't want to spend that much money to do so. LOL

I looked up the PO rim the OP mentioned, and it is a great looking rim.

Somethng else to watch on a car this old the rubber parts of the vacuum line that trails around the valve cover to the passenger side and does the U turn to the purge valve. The parts of that which are rubber can crack and open up.
I replaced mine by putting electrical shrink wrap tubing over the original and sealing it up with the plastic shrink.

The car has age but may not have the hours of high temp to deteriorate that rubber. I know people were often searching for the part number for the original replacement harness part with that in it...

Thank you for your comments on the rims. It really was one of the VERY compelling features of this car as it sat in the deceased previous owner's driveway calling my name. The entire car just looked so "unused" that it had me very curious, and that paid off. Otherwise, I doubt I would havre ever given a Buick a second look being a LONG term Toyota and Volvo 240 owner. I'm happy to have it now and wow does she ever look different from when I saw it all dirty and covered in black tree soot in the driveway. It's been full detailed (by me) and those chromies are gleaming/blinding. The new Michelins arrive in the next day or so. Thanks again for your thoughts, ideas and comments. Much appreciated.

 

[JBeechcraft]

Isn't it time folks got over the old wives tale that there's something toxic about Dexcool's chemistry--especially in that it supposedly doesn't affect other chemistries of coolant.

I used Prestone Mixes in my 2003 when I did the early 2-coolant drain on the Dexcool instead of 5 years. Just drain and refill what didn't come out the radiator drain. 2 years later, repeat.

There is no need to drain away every molecule of the mix of coolant as if it were toxic. If your system has sludge because someone was mixing improper mixes of coolant, then flush to get most of it out.

Use distilled water if using concentrate to refill.

BTW, my 2003 leSabre developed cracks in the seals on the lower intake manifold gaskets sealing ridges. I started seeing a slow drop in coolant level, but it was found earliest by the Blackstone Oil Life test I ran to see how the full synthetic Prestone Platinum oil was doing. They called to tell me I had a low level of Na and K in my oil. Their solution was to change oil regularly and earlier to keep the level low and to eventually repair the seep.

My car didn't have Dexcool causing terrible things that weren't going to happen if Dexcool weren't in there.

Time for the old theories to die.

Do I understand you to say that there is no reason not to go ahead and use the Dexcool? It seems in the handful of many more services on this car than most of us would have done at the dealership within 32K miles, there appears to be a fresh/newer batch of Dexcool in the system right now. I don't want to run the risk of using the factory radiator or hoses (which have printed on them "bonneville, lesabre" so I know they are original). I think I'm going to save the radiator, hoses, thermostat swap out and proactively do the upper/lower intake gaskets and replace the coolant elbows with the aluminum ones I have all at the same time. I'm beginning to worry that I may be going overboard on a car with so few miles and perhaps not necessarily RUSH into all these things until I have at least more than the 5 miles I have on it so far. I have purchased most of everything I want and those parts are in the trunk, but perhaps I just need to drive it once the new tires are on an assess along the way. I understand the most common issues with the car and plan to address asap (intake gaskets, elbows, maybe a transgo shift kit, dealership already did blower motor.) Thanks again.

 

[silverbullet04]

Congratulations! You got a great deal! I have a 04 lesabre limited with 52k on the body and transmission. Unfortunately she had to get a new motor due to the previous owners neglecting her.

 

[Ultra Ego]

Do I understand you to say that there is no reason not to go ahead and use the Dexcool? It seems in the handful of many more services on this car than most of us would have done at the dealership within 32K miles, there appears to be a fresh/newer batch of Dexcool in the system right now. I don't want to run the risk of using the factory radiator or hoses (which have printed on them "bonneville, lesabre" so I know they are original). I think I'm going to save the radiator, hoses, thermostat swap out and proactively do the upper/lower intake gaskets and replace the coolant elbows with the aluminum ones I have all at the same time. I'm beginning to worry that I may be going overboard on a car with so few miles and perhaps not necessarily RUSH into all these things until I have at least more than the 5 miles I have on it so far. I have purchased most of everything I want and those parts are in the trunk, but perhaps I just need to drive it once the new tires are on an assess along the way. I understand the most common issues with the car and plan to address asap (intake gaskets, elbows, maybe a transgo shift kit, dealership already did blower motor.) Thanks again.

Congratulations on your new car. We’d have all been interested if we had driven by it like you had.

Replacing the coolant elbows is a very good idea, but the UIM and LIM gaskets are probably overkill at this point. By 2004, GM started using better gaskets that weren’t so prone to weakening from acidic old DexCool coolant.

Go ahead and use DexCool if you are good about maintenance, and it sounds like you are. The history of the DexCool was GM telling people it was a 100k mile coolant, and it broke down long before that.

P.S. Pictures please!

 

[ohioriver]

AWESOME! That helped a great deal. These are the PO5 upgrade chrome wheel. I agree that these could be the chrome "Celebration" wheels you spoke about. I will look today in the spare tire area for the tag/sticker to know what's actually on this car. Your information was REALLY helpful, even your website recommendation. Thank you so very much! BTW: I just looked around and that 7 spoke chrome wheel seems to appear on the 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra, Special Edition. They have two models of chrome 16" rims and mine's the 7 spoke. It's really one of the things that caught my attention as I drove by that car every day. They are now polished up and look fantastic! I tried to upload a pic, but says too large for server to process. Thanks again!!

I have the exact same car and wheels but an '04.....Definately sharp wheels. I inherited this car from my dad with 21K on it.

 

[ohioriver]

Hey.. @JBeechcraft ---- you mentioned that you were going to install a TranGo Kit.
I have been looking to do that myself.
Would it be possible that you take photos of the job and start a thread on it? (On photos, reduce the size on your PC before trying to post)

As a btw.... I have all hoses, belts, brake fluids, and did the coolant with Dexcool, replaced.
Issues I have had/found...
- While the body looks excellent, the underbody is a rust magnet, coated it with Woolwax
- brake lines were also rusty.. Woolwaxed them too.
- the lower front body panels forward of the door were rusty, clean those off and Woolwaxed too.
- has the 1 - 2 shift clunk on light throttle, and also on a quick throttle lift on the hwy.
- Speedo is dead, gas gage works only sometimes, Tach is goofy on or off or Way off. I use the DIC for gas indication and info.
- Front rotors rust too easily, with even a day of not driving it. Replacment soon with pads.

For a car with only 51k now, it does drive good, somewhat comfortable, but thats a lot of nits for a low mile car.

Curious, where are you located?

 

[JBeechcraft]

Congratulations on your new car. We’d have all been interested if we had driven by it like you had.

Replacing the coolant elbows is a very good idea, but the UIM and LIM gaskets are probably overkill at this point. By 2004, GM started using better gaskets that weren’t so prone to weakening from acidic old DexCool coolant.

Go ahead and use DexCool if you are good about maintenance, and it sounds like you are. The history of the DexCool was GM telling people it was a 100k mile coolant, and it broke down long before that.

P.S. Pictures please!

Thank you for taking the time and responding! I do appreciate your wisdom and experiences!

I am pretty good at changing coolant in a timely manner and in an old 2000 Cavalier I maintained, it seemed to be just fine. I do have the aluminum elbows and GM "O rings" that I think some say are better quality than the one's Dorman uses (although my elbows are AC Delco which are probably Dorman anyways. I suspect there's only one maker of these aluminum elbows at the end of the day).

Thanks again!