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Buick Lucerne: CX Engine Question

12 messages,  Last post on Jan 02, 2008 at 5:19 PM

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#3 of 12 Re: Lucerne CX Engine Question [smitty52] by loyalbuickfan Sep 08, 2006 (10:05 am)
Replying to: smitty52 (Sep 01, 2006 4:03 pm) I owned a 1994 Park Ave (Bought New) for 12 years, it had 157,000 miles when I sold it, and the engine only needed  a water pump during that time! It still ran great when sold.   I respect your remarkable allegiance to Buick after your repeated problems.   I frankly did not believe your situation until I "Googled" same and sure enough I found aftermarket "kits" for this situation for the 3800 Engine for the 1995 thru 2003 model years! It would seem that after 2003,problem resolved.   You and I are now in the "same boat" as I too bought a new Lucerne CX (3800 Series 3 Engine).   My car now has 1000 Miles on it and it has exceeded my expectations for it's really comfortable ride, smooth engine and transmission performance,and MPG 29-30 highway.   Buick had a longer warranty at 4years/50,000miles as compared to Chevy/Pontiac(3/36,000),but Gm has just increased the duration on all 2007 GM cars.    It is now 5 Years/100,000 miles on the Engine/Transmission. (We will automatically receive info about the extension in the mail)   Good Luck, and I hope you enjoy the new Lucerne. Replies to this message: imidazol97 (Apr 15, 2007 4:50 am)
#4 of 12 Re: Lucerne CX Engine Question [smitty52] by pawel1 Apr 14, 2007 (9:07 pm)
Replying to: smitty52 (Sep 01, 2006 4:03 pm) Lucern has now rigid aluminum intake manifold. This should fix an old problem. IMO this is one of the best engines ever manufactured. Plenty of torque. Old design is not necessarily bad.
#5 of 12 Re: Lucerne CX Engine Question [loyalbuickfan] by imidazol97 Apr 15, 2007 (4:50 am)
Replying to: loyalbuickfan (Sep 08, 2006 10:05 am) >I frankly did not believe your situation until I "Googled" same and sure enough I found aftermarket "kits" for this situation for the 3800 Engine for the 1995 thru 2003 model years! It would seem that after 2003,problem resolved.   What you found is that the intake manifolds FIT the same years. The "condition" doesn't exist up to 2003. The changes were made in 1999 to ameliorate the symptoms. Gasket materials were changed, upper intake manifold design was changed and those went on 2000 cars. Changing DexCool at 2 years or 24000 mile intervals like regular antifreeze prevents the possibility of deterioration from people who believed it should have lasted 150000 miles not changing it. When DexCool additives wear out the coolant becomes problematic in some systems, especially if they're not filled to eliminate air bubbles properly.   There were continuing changes made for replacement brands of upper manifolds and, I presume, for GM's replacement. The original gaskets are rumored to have deteriorated. The passage up through the upper intake manifold for the hot exhaust gases to pass deteriorated from the temperature and deteriorated into the nearby coolant passage allowing leakage (there is a metal tube sticking up through that passage that's part of the lower metal manifold);   There is a replacement gasket for lower intake manifolds that has not been around too many years. Some of the manifold leak problems are not from the upper but from the gaskets on the lower (metal manifold to block) gaskets deteriorating. The replacement, from GM, has aluminum as a frame to hold it in place.   After 2003 the UIM is metals so the replacement manifolds don't fit after 2003.   The motors were a very good motor. Part of the problem is that people didn't check their coolant level regularly to notice a slow loss of coolant at first so they could have the problem checked and an early repair made (I did). The maintenance schedule in the owner's manual says to check fluids regularly.
#6 of 12 3800's by imidazol97 Apr 15, 2007 (5:00 am)
I have owned 3 of these motors and one before that which was modeled on the 3800 (the 3300). They are very good. They last hundreds of thousands of miles with regular maintenance.   I'd buy my next car with one and I'm sorry to hear they're being phased out. I may buy a used car with one since I fully understand the intake features. Replies to this message: thegraduate (Dec 06, 2007 8:34 am)
#7 of 12 Re: Lucerne cx engine question by gregman Aug 18, 2007 (5:33 pm)
I too am a fan of the 3800 and am considering another, but mine's not done yet!   Had the intake failure at 168,000 miles. Now have 234,000. GM knew these engines were prone to fail but managed to cover up the problem all these years. When I asked the dealership why the intake failed, they said it wore out!   A little research revealed that other gm engines had the same problem including the 3.4.   I get a constant 30mpg on the hwy, and sometimes better!   Does anybody know if the new "aluminum" intake is one piece, or 2 piece aluminum/plastic? Don't know if I want one that may still fail. I checked my fluids regular and had it in 2 shops 3 times for slow coolant loss to no avail. The coolant apparently was leaking into the combustion chamber and burning away until the gasket really let go. Oh well. Good car, my '95 Bonneville. Replies to this message: imidazol97 (Aug 18, 2007 5:39 pm)
#8 of 12 Re: Lucerne cx engine question [gregman] by imidazol97 Aug 18, 2007 (5:39 pm)
Replying to: gregman (Aug 18, 2007 5:33 pm) The Series III intake completely solves the problem, be it Dexcool related or just poor intake design for the EGR tube related. Some have asked if they can put the aluminum upper onto a Series II-based 3800. Grin.   But the original GMs are good for about 75000 miles. Many people never have had a failure, like yourself, in the time most people would keep a car. It's low but irritating percentage. I've seen how they used a different EGR tube up through the plastic intake with a larger air space around the metal tube and that would fix the heat deterioration. People who repaced with a different brand on first failure don't usually have a second failure. Some think the Dexcool not being changed at 24000 miles/2 years like ordinary antifreeze is a factor since in some cars it deteriorates, primarily those who have low coolant levels and the hot coolant is mixed with air.   The replacement of the upper intake is relatively cheap. At first some dealers were really gouging, almost like foreign dealers. But now individuals change their own and many find independent shops doing it cheaply.   Series III-okay. Justchange Dexcool frequently, it's cheap.
#9 of 12 Re: 3800's [imidazol97] by thegraduate Dec 06, 2007 (8:34 am)
Replying to: imidazol97 (Apr 15, 2007 5:00 am) I'd buy my next car with one and I'm sorry to hear they're being phased out. I may buy a used car with one since I fully understand the intake features.   I know this post is old, but I figured I'd respond anyway.   Here's why its being phased out:   Buick Lucerne: 4-speed Automatic 197horsepower, 227 lb-ft 16/25 EPA Estimates   Ford Taurus: 6-speed Automatic 260 horsepower, 245 lb-ft 18/28 EPA Estimates   Toyota Avalon: 6-speed Automatic 268 horsepower, 248 lb-ft, 19/28 EPA Estimates   The 3800 in the Buick is not really competitive at all with cars from the 21st Century. It was fine 10 years ago, but when you can have more power AND economy from one of its competitors (even GMs own Impala has more power and mileage), the Buick starts looking obsolete.
#10 of 12 vibration from plastic engine cover by usaicon Dec 24, 2007 (10:13 am)
I have a V6 2006 Buick Lucerne with 24000 miles. I have recently noticed a vibrating noise from the engine compartment that sounds like a hollow plastic box, when the engine is under torque. I removed the black plastic cover that says 3800 and the noise seems to have disappeared. Is there a way to tighten down this cover so it doesn't vibrate?
#11 of 12 07 Buick Lucerne CX problem by mborak Jan 02, 2008 (11:53 am)
When driving at steady speeds I sense periodic subtle resistance and slight tugging resulting in a choppy driving experience instead of smooth. I have taken it into 2 different dealers who have not acknowledged the problem. I drive 80 miles each day and still feel like something is not right. Vehicle has only 2000 miles on it. Any ideas? Replies to this message: imidazol97 (Jan 02, 2008 5:19 pm)
#12 of 12 Re: 07 Buick Lucerne CX problem [mborak] by imidazol97 Jan 02, 2008 (5:19 pm)
Replying to: mborak (Jan 02, 2008 11:53 am) At 2000 miles, the dealer can go over tire pressures and wheel alignment. If the tire pressure recommended is 30, I run 32-33. I like to feel the road. I'm suggesting your push and pull sensation could be tires.   It also could be alignment. They will realign up to 12000 without having to stomp your feet.   The other could be fuel quality? Or a misfire in the plugs in the motor. Try driving in 3rd gear instead of OD which allows the car to shift into 4th gear. How fast are you going when you feel this tugging sensation?

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