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Buick Rendezvous Temperature Problems

35 messages,  Last post on Apr 05, 2013 at 6:51 AM

You are in the Buick Rendezvous Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick Rendezvous, Auto Repair, Engine, SUV

    

Messages Page 3 of 5

#14 of 35 worst car ever by debnicshaye1

Oct 07, 2009 (12:15 am)

I have a 2003 Buick Rendezvous,started overheating took it to mechanic,he said don't worry about it ,it's just your coolant it is overfilled,so the problem got worst,so I took it to the Buick service dealer,they inform me,I have a blown head gasket GREAT $1,700 dollars to repair.I also have a Jeep Cherokee 1995 never had any problems like this with my Jeep.I will NEVER EVER purchase a GM car again and the sad thing my dad retired from GM. I think GM needs to have my vehicle repair.

#15 of 35 4 diffrent problems with my 2005 rendezvous by stevecoalminer

Dec 05, 2009 (2:36 pm)

The first problem was wheel bearings,changed both sides twice,then a problem with lifters ,it was still under warenty.The next thing sensor started going out.Then the thermostate went out,next thing was intake leak,got the peace of crap blew a head gasket ,all this has cost about 2,400 dollars,why is G.M not recalling this peace of garbage.I still owe about 11,000 thousand on this thing ,and can not afford to put money into this car every week.

#16 of 35 Cooling your 2002 Buick Rendezvous CX - CXL by buddo9

Jun 04, 2010 (2:39 pm)

For all of us that have the cooling problems..
  
In the 2002 and later Buick CXL Rendezvous..
The overheating problem will never go away! I realized there was a problem when I raised the hood and tremendous gust of heat hit my face!
The engine is in a restricted compartment area under the hood with very little exit to remove heat buildup!
The heat just keeps building up! So badly, it blisters the paint at the only escape rout that it has near the rear center of the hood ,
With an inspection, you can see the rubber guard on the hood seals off the windshield and the heat crawls to the two ends of that rubber seal then back to the highest point at the center of the hood..
The compartment is not big enough to keep the engine from it’s own heat!
The cause is a bad design of the engine vent system!
I cut the top half of the rubber seal (2 foot x 1”) That way there is still enough left for water run off from windshield area .. Be careful not to cut away in front of air screened air vents … My CXL is now a cool tool...
                                             Bud Crawford Coopersburg PA 18036

#17 of 35 Re: 02 Rendezvous Temperature Problems [jollyrog1] by buddo9

Jun 05, 2010 (8:02 am)

Replying to: jollyrog1 (Aug 14, 2008 3:51 pm)
In the 2002 and later Buick CXL Rendezvous..
 The overheating problem will never go away! I realized there was a problem when I raised the hood and tremendous gust of heat hit my face!
 The engine is in a restricted compartment area under the hood with very little venting to remove heat buildup!
 The heat just keeps building up! So badly, it blisters the paint at the only escape rout that it has near the rear center of the hood ,
 With an inspection, you can see the rubber guard that seals off the windshield, the heat crawls to the two ends of that rubber seal then back to the highest point at the center of the hood exit.
  The compartment is not big enough to keep the engine from it’s own heat!
    The cause is a bad design of the engine vent system!
  I cut away 12" to the right and left from center of the rubber seal (total 2 foot x 1”) That way there is still enough left on the bottom for water run off from windshield area .. Be careful not to cut away in front of air screened vents … Check to be sure water cannot hit your engine!
  This cure seems like a drastic move, but beats a blown engine! ...My CXL is now a cool tool...
                         Bud Crawford, Coopersburg PA 18036

#20 of 35 Re: CLIMATE CONTROL-HEATER [297dmy] by buddo9

Jun 07, 2010 (8:31 am)

Replying to: 297dmy (Mar 02, 2008 4:24 pm)
In the 2002 and later Buick CXL Rendezvous..
   The overheating problem will never go away! I realized there was a problem when I raised the hood and tremendous gust of heat hit my face!
   The engine is in a restricted compartment area under the hood with very little venting to remove heat buildup! ( LAW! Heat rises )
   The heat just keeps building up! So badly, it blisters the paint at the only escape rout that it has near the rear center of the hood.
   The cause is a bad design with no engine venting system.
  With an inspection, you can see the rubber guard that seals off the windshield, the heat slowly crawls to the two ends of that rubber seal then back to the highest point at the center of the hood and exits blistering the hood there.
  The compartment is not big enough to keep the engine from it’s own heat!
 I cut away 12" to the right and left from center of the rubber seal (total 2 foot x 1”deep) That way there is nearly 1" left on the bottom for windshield water run off .. Be careful not to cut away in front of air screened vents …
When finished, ("with cold engine") check and spray a lot of water on the window and watch the run off to be sure it cannot hit your engine!
   This cure seems like a drastic move, but beats a blown engine! ...My CXL is now a cool tool...
                                          Bud Crawford, Coopersburg PA 18036

#21 of 35 Re: CLIMATE CONTROL-HEATER [buddo9] by spike99

Jun 29, 2010 (8:08 am)

Replying to: buddo9 (Jun 07, 2010 8:31 am)
Hi there...
 
I like your idea of "letting the engine compartment vent". From a science perspective, it makes sense. Well ventilated items do keep cooler. However, I'm not too sure if cutting out rain cutter plating is the most optiminal modification. Especially if someone lives in harsh winter / snow with massive April showers climate - like in my region.
 
I'm wondering if a rear position hood vent might be a better "let if vent" mod. Instead of installing a forward facing hood vent, I wonder if a backwards installed "air flow" vent would be better. For example:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BCH7H2HYL.jpg -> as a nice "low profile" hood vent to use.
http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/news/car/09q4/lingenf- - elter_455_t_a_concept-auto_shows/gallery/lingenfelter_455_t_2fa_concept_shaker_h- - ood_scoop_photo_4/2963458-1-eng-US/lingenfelter_455_t_a_concept_12_cd_gallery.jp- - g -> example of rear facing vent.
 
If I lived in hotter region (like lower USA regions), I would install a hood vent and install it backwards. Thus, air flows into the front grill area and that hot air flow out the top of the rear hood. Using this idea, no rain gutter platting would be cut instead.
 
As implied, I love your "let if vent" idea. However, I'd use an backwards facing low profile hood vent (on the rear hood area) instead.
 
.

#22 of 35 2003 Buick Rendevous Frustration by ljones1234

Mar 04, 2011 (7:45 pm)

First thing to go bad was the wheel bearings, then it was the power windows in the front, Then the Ignition switch and now a blown head gasket and a cracked head. I have been reading some of these posts on here and there is other people who has faced the same thing. Sounds like to me that there should have been several recalls on these cars. This car is becoming a money pit!

#23 of 35 Re: 2003 Buick Rendevous Frustration [ljones1234] by malliardfive

Mar 08, 2011 (6:23 pm)

Replying to: ljones1234 (Mar 04, 2011 7:45 pm)
On the bearings, we had replaced at Sears and comes with a lifetime warranty after a $50 deductible each time. We decided this was tolerable to us. On the head gasket, the third time we had it replaced, we found out they have made the gasket out of a different material and it's been a permanent fix according to our mechanic. Otherwise, about every 30-50K miles, you'll be repairing that one. Our head was able to be welded back together successfully, as well. Fortunately we haven't had the window issue...yet. I tell everyone I see with one of these things what a pain it's been. We did find out that if you are the original owner, Buick should cover your repair-they have it set up sort of like a recall, but only valid if you're original. We, unfortunately, are not.

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