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  #18  
Old 03-07-2017, 12:35 AM
mgross0 mgross0 is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 87
Had two of these 3.8L Buicks in the family. Never actually had a cat fail on one of these pigs, but it is always possible. Both cars had the same issues that would trip the idiot light: bad O2 sensor, bad gas cap, and broken vapor return/emissions control lines at the gas tank. The rear O2 sensor is a bear to change, but hit it with PB Blaster and let it sit for a day. It should come out, unless the car is rusty. If not, heat it (very carefully) with a torch to break it loose. It should go without saying that a fire extinguisher is your best friend when doing this.

Also, the front motor mounts are prone to breaking. These things run DexCool in the radiator, so don't mix your antifreeze types. The power windows are crap, and you will replace the regulators every few years (or pay the shop $500 each when they fall down).

Did I mention that I have really come to hate Buick?