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The next time is showed up I bought a tube of w/s caulk and did the job myself. Problem gone now for almost 2 years. Good luck.
What suspension/wheels were on the car? I know our rental with the 15" wheels (too small) and standard suspension (a little too soft) had no hint of harshness anywhere. If to buy, we would have gotten one with the Gran Touring suspension.
Good luck, and happy motoring with the Buick!
Unfortunately the rattles are inconsistent, and did not occur on the day the dealer looked at it.
Does anyone have any experience with rattles, what caused them and how they were resolved.
Cheers,
Indrek Aavisto
Sudbury, Ontario
I was shocked to find the part cost less than $10.
I wonder if this happens often?
The rattle turned out to be some loose air bag fasteners in the steering column. Fixed under warranty.
At the same time they fixed the driver's heated seat. It took about a month to get the part that was back ordered. Makes you wonder about the durability of the heated seat element.
I am beginning to think that I will have to carefully consider the merits of the GM extended protection plan given the large number of electrical gizmos on this car.
Cheers,
Indrek Aavisto
Sudbury, Ontario
It contains lots of info.
After reading comments about ride and wheels _here_ I chose the 16 inch wheels with Michelin Symmetry tires.
The ride is more controlled than '98 Limited I have. It's perfect.
Tires and wheels are quiet.
Just wish I could have avoided paying for OnStar as a required part of every option combination that I wanted -- no way to avoid it and get the individual options I wanted. OnStar must be the new profit center -- dealers use "packs", GM uses OnStar, grin...
Any comments from other owners or recent LeSabres?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
were assembled on the same line as a 'Cadillac Model. What
one was that? _-- or am I remembering wrong?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
My great service manager at small town dealer told me
to do that on both 93 and 98.
Do you feel the vibration the same in reverse and drive?
I assume you've looked for hoses or wiring bundles
that might be transmitting vibration
when engine is twisting again transmission load?
Have you checked the PCV valve? It may be not sealing
closed at high vacuum at idle if it's dirty and gunked up
if the oil ahs not been changed regularly and often?
If engine oil's been changed regularly and you don't think
the roughness might be something major in engine, you
might try some Techron engine cleaner in gasoline (available
at most mass parts stores and some others now line Meijers
in Midwest). Try one in tank when low with fillup of GOOD
brand gasoline (I use Plus or Premium). Then do it again
within a half of a tank after the first gas is run through.
It's got one of the best cleaners in gasoline (Exxon's brand
of cleaner for their gasoline).
These are things I found from my 93 LeSabre. Too there was
a prom update for roughness at load at lockup on the torque
converter under light throttle at 50 or so. I thought it was wires
and plugs, but BUICK had a mixture change and a change in
the lockup speed for torque converter -- it won't lock in until
50 mph. It used to lock in at 45. That way you don't notice the
roughness under load since the converter is not locked up.
Good luck.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That's what I wanted to know.
Is there a webpage that explains the differences between
the various models by platform? Or explains the differences
between the Seville, Deville, Park, and LeSabre that
come down the same line?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
It is also common that the many suspension pieces, for instance, are interchangeable between the various cars. One of the most significant differences are engine choices and differences.
Overall, every model is quite closely related. Hope this helps, and I'll try to answer any other question you may have, if possible.
Thanks.
92 93 to satisfy some customers, using Pontiac SSE or something
like that struts. They were the last ones without air leveling in the
rear. The dealer put those Pontiac struts on to stop the front-back
wallow the soft LeSabres had. In my 98 with air leveling on
rear is much stiffer than 93 Custom was. I replaced 93 struts at
35 K because I couldn't stand the soft wallow it had. Replacements
fixed the problem. (Monroe struts.)Replacements were same for
Pontiac, Olds and Buick cars...
It did not have air leveling on rear.
Just traded it for 03 Limited. New one is almost too stiff. But only
has a few miles on it. What an evolution in ride.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Ken
imidazol97- Too stiff? I've ridden in a 2002 LeSabre with the standard suspension, and another with the GT suspension and I can't imagine how you could even remotely use the word "stiff" in describing either. Boy, you really must be used to a floaty, sailboat ride!
Beach15: criticism accepted! You're right on.
I'm used to soft 98 LeSabre Limited. Great interstates, controlled, but smooth. Hit a wavy road and it's not controlled at all. 93 was even softer.
But 2003 has less than 1000 miles on it. It's taut! Michelin tires and 16 in. wheels. It's like a friend's Jetta felt driving on interstate highways. I haven't had it on Ohio sideroads with waves and hills in them yet. I like the feel of the 2003.
I'd like suggestions on what struts to put on the '98. I put Monroe road sensing struts on the 93 and they were tight for 40K -- got a little soft after they were on for 100K. Does anyone have suggestions of good riding but controlled struts to use?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Took it to my tran mech. and under a quick scope said it could be a faulty torque converter or electrical.
He also said if it was a torque converter I was looking at a 1000 dollar bill. Wont know until a full scope determines.
My question is , is this a common occurence for a 93 at 177,000kms or am I being scamed? What can I do to make sure?
At 3500 rpm at (52 mph) 80 kph, that sounds like
it dropped into 2nd gear. Were you accelerating and it stayed in 2nd gear? Could just be a one-time quirk. I'd be tempted to drive it and just be alert to strangeness in characteristics.
You might ask at a dealership where the service manager knows and shares info about others of year and age and mileage they are seeing -- if they have any problems or not. My service manager told me about a Century trans that was rough, drive it and if it goes out completely it costs the same to replace as if you try to troubleshoot it early.
You might clear the computer by taking out the fuse for a few minutes. Disconnecting battery loses radio settings and might lose remote opener settings.
My 93 with 150K miles had no trans signs like that. IT was a solid piece -- better than 98 LeSabre trans feels in the other car.
Good luck.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
It is equipped with a 3800 Series II V6. However, after checking under the hood, I found there is plenty of room for a bigger V6 or a V8.
I did suggest this to GM for 2004. They got back to me. And they told me they are seriously considering it. There is more.
The one I checked was equipped with all the standard and optional features available for the 2003 LeSabres. But due to its smaller engine, it was overpriced. I hope a bigger engine is added.
change the color???
I'd like to hear from a person working at a GM service shop about this idea of
putting in ordinary antifreeze. I'm willing to change each year if it ads to the
longevity of the plastic parts etc.
The sludging from the orange DexCool occured from running hot in some vehicles
(Fords), I believe I read or heard that on a radio auto talk show. But mine began to
show scum in the overflow at 3 yrs. I replaced it with lots of flushing...
Is there a particular flush chemical to use to clear the DexCool for replacement with
DexCool or with regular antifreeze?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
1. How well does the Traction Control feature work?
2. Is the "Driver Information System" very useful? (And how does the "Tire Inflation Monitor" work?)
3. How good is the "Concert Sound II" speaker system? (It seems I remember some negative posts about it a while ago.)
4. Any other comments about the LeSabre?
Thanks for any help, Jim
The traction control clamps the brakes on the spinning tire like ABS in reverse. It gives a more solid feel in the snow here in Ohio this weekend. But I've not tried it on ice. I'm pretty smooth in snow having grown up in Indiana, so the Traction Control hasn't come on much. I have wanted to try to do something to get the StabiliTrac to work, but I'm afraid to do that with my New Toy.
The radio I have is a Limited with 8 speakers. I think it's a different model than the 6 speaker or 4 speaker that's base. It sounds great. I don't expect my car to have AR2a-like speakers for quality like my home. The older Limited I have with 6 speakers is very good. And the 93 that had the base 4 speaker system served me fine, but could have been better.
I'd suggest taking an actual car on a test drive if you're looking on a dealer's lot. They should be willing trade below invoice by now. You should be able look on a lot and say I'll give you this much for _that_ one bottom line, and if they don't want to trade, try the next dealer. Things are slowing down in the economy.
If ordering, I'd suggest the open web wheels with 16 inch radius and larger cross-section tires. I'd consider side airbags too. They're in the SE package and Limited.
Driver information center is neat to playwith while driving because it shows mpg instant and average over a trip since you reset it. The voltage is given exactly to tenths, so you can check on battery charge and degradation with age. The water temp is given, along with the computer's estiamte of how much damage has been done to oil quality by cold running, frequent starts, etc. , but I don't trust that computer for oil changes. I change my oil (myself) at 3000, or 2500 in winter, and maybe 4000 insummer if longer highway trips had been taken. My 93 engine had 155000 on it and didn't smoke, and didn't use oil beyond a half quart in 2500 miles..., even when I drove it 140 miles on interstate round trip.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The Driver Information Center is a gadget that is useful but not as sophisticated as some other cars'. Basic info like mileage, distance to empty and the Oil Life System. The Oil Life System only guesses as when the oil needs to be changed based on a number of factors like how long the engine is run between starts, temperature, speed, etc. It doesn't hurt to change the oil every 3000 miles, but a lot of research has shown that it is ususally not necessary to change the oil that often, depending on how the car is driven. The Tire Pressure Monitor can only detect if one tire is 10 lbs. or more lower than the others by comparing rotation speed. If all the tires are equally low, it won't know the difference. Some owners who have had slow leaks were pleased that the system alerted them to a problem before they noticed it, so it does work.
The traction control on my Bonneville seems to work on slick roads but is slow to kick in. Better than nothing, or you can turn it off.
My experience and those of some other owners is that the Concert Sound II system is substandard, even for the muted interiors of a Buick. I find that it is flat and has a limited range.
Rent one for the weekend and try it out. Good luck!
Could you all let me know , how many trouble free mileage I can expect on a 97 LeSabre.
Or in Other words, what are the major maintenance history for your Le Sabre so , far.
Thanks in advance for all your responses.
Regards,
Jacob
connected into the intake manifold to the waterpump at 100K. The old ones cracked from expansion/contraction. Replacement was metal. New brake pads front 3 times. Did them myself with Raybestos. Rear brakes -- original.
Transmission shifted great. Fluid changed 4 times by self and filter changed 2 times by self. (Replacement gaskets are reusable.)
Engine oil changed at 2500 to 3000 miles. When color looked darker and drops on paper towel left nearly a dime size blacker spot in middle, I changed it. In summer with longer trips (100mi) and less short driving, might have hit 3500 or 4000.
Engine did not smoke at anytime. I wanted to keep car, wife wanted to trade. Wife/rebates won.
Body has some minor dings (golf ball, road trash, etc.) Rust starting through in rocker panels in two places -- salt on roads in north.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I turned up the sound system. It's the CD player model with 8 speakers. I think it's more
than adequate. The equalizer setup allowed reducing base or raising treble as much as I wanted. I don't see anything dull about this.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,