98 Buick Lesabre running rough and now not starting!

[Aluviel]

Hi folks,
I had a buick recall notice for a fuel pressure regulartor. I took my car into the dealer and had it done.. A week later it ran like it was going to die.. really rough.. (check engine light on too)this is the first time I have ever had any problems. It only has 65,000 miles on it!!
The dealer checked the fuel pressure regulator and said it was fine..
they said my check engine light was comming on cause there was no water in the radiator.. they said it would cost 1600 bucks to fix it..
I tried a new radiator and had the same problem... I put the old radator back in and put the engine collant with the water just like my manual said.. Now my car woulnt start at all...
The dealer gave me some line about it sucking water into the engine and it could cause a necear meltdown.. they wernt to happy to hear my boyfriendis a mechanic. I dont want to waste time tinkering and troubleshooting. If I can find out what is wrong he can fix it.
Also when I try to start it now I hear a loud "Poof" and I get nothing..
Could it be .. a radator, and starter? maybe an egr valve?
If I can just get it started i can take it to a garage and have them do a diagnostic.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by Aluviel

Hi folks,
I had a buick recall notice for a fuel pressure regulartor. I took my car into the dealer and had it done.. A week later it ran like it was going to die.. really rough.. (check engine light on too)this is the first time I have ever had any problems. It only has 65,000 miles on it!!
The dealer checked the fuel pressure regulator and said it was fine..
they said my check engine light was comming on cause there was no water in the radiator.. they said it would cost 1600 bucks to fix it..
I tried a new radiator and had the same problem... I put the old radator back in and put the engine collant with the water just like my manual said.. Now my car woulnt start at all...
The dealer gave me some line about it sucking water into the engine and it could cause a necear meltdown.. they wernt to happy to hear my boyfriendis a mechanic. I dont want to waste time tinkering and troubleshooting. If I can find out what is wrong he can fix it.
Also when I try to start it now I hear a loud "Poof" and I get nothing..
Could it be .. a radator, and starter? maybe an egr valve?
If I can just get it started i can take it to a garage and have them do a diagnostic.

Hello

If you were running your car without coolant you may of done damage to your engine by overheating. If an engine is over heated, gaskets can fail and allow coolant to enter the engine. From what you said, "running rough" it sounds like it was over heated.

Where is your boyfriend? I would of had him look at this from the get go. If liquid gets into the engine it can damage it. You may be looking at replacing the engine. Find a low millage one at a bone yard if replacement is the case.

Regerds

Dan

Le

[Aluviel]

Originally Posted by LeSabre97mint

Hello

If you were running your car without coolant you may of done damage to your engine by overheating. If an engine is over heated, gaskets can fail and allow coolant to enter the engine. From what you said, "running rough" it sounds like it was over heated.

Where is your boyfriend? I would of had him look at this from the get go. If liquid gets into the engine it can damage it. You may be looking at replacing the engine. Find a low millage one at a bone yard if replacement is the case.

Regerds

Dan

Le

He did look at that first thing.. He checked the oil and there were no white spots in it. or water. my engine heat gade never came on.

[blrunner]

Did the dealer say that the radiator was leaking the fluid.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by Aluviel

He did look at that first thing.. He checked the oil and there were no white spots in it. or water. my engine heat gade never came on.

When you turn your key on (just so the lights on the dash come on) does the over heat light come on? If it doen't you may of over heated your engine without knowing it.

Also, if there isn't any fluid in the cooling system, the heat sensor wouldn't get any heat because it's testing the coolant temp.

Regards

Dan

[Aluviel]

Originally Posted by LeSabre97mint

When you turn your key on (just so the lights on the dash come on) does the over heat light come on? If it doen't you may of over heated your engine without knowing it.

Also, if there isn't any fluid in the cooling system, the heat sensor wouldn't get any heat because it's testing the coolant temp.

Regards

Dan

ewww no.. the light doesnt come on.
whatbuggs me is that if I am over heating why isnt there any steam comming from the engine when I open the hood? What a bummer if I am starting to over heat the light should come on to warn me.
I always have the oil changed and my fluids checked.
Hrm when I had the new radator installed the heat light didnt come on either even tho the check engine light was flashing.
what scares me is the horrible "Poof" sound Ihear when I turn the key..

[Aluviel]

Originally Posted by blrunner

Did the dealer say that the radiator was leaking the fluid.

the dealer didnt do a full check on it.. he just gave me the feeling that I was a sucker and they told me about 3 diffrent things.. None of which made sense.
they never actually said the radator was leaking fluid.. they just got on my case telling me I had the wrong kind of coolant in it.. which i have been usung for 3 years and had no problems..
then they mentioned about getting anew radator cost of 1600. bux.
then they said it looked like it might be sucking water into the engine..
we checked that first thing.. the oil stick had no water droplets or white spots on it.
mystery huh?

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by Aluviel

ewww no.. the light doesnt come on.
whatbuggs me is that if I am over heating why isnt there any steam comming from the engine when I open the hood? What a bummer if I am starting to over heat the light should come on to warn me.
I always have the oil changed and my fluids checked.
Hrm when I had the new radator installed the heat light didnt come on either even tho the check engine light was flashing.
what scares me is the horrible "Poof" sound Ihear when I turn the key..

The lights on the dash that warn of overheating, oil psi.... and such are called idiot lights. Either they don't come on or they come on after the damage is done. Gauges are the way to go.

Have you looked under the hood when the Poof sound is heard?

Dan

[auto trainy]

Its sounds like your dealer is trying to sell you a new car,have the car pressure tested to see where the coolant is leaking,my guess would be the upper plenum and a good mechanic would find it right off.
Good Luck
PS when the test is done make sure the plugs are removed,but then again a good mechanic would do this so if the engine is cranked and theres fluid in the cylinders any damage can be avoided.

[Aluviel]

Originally Posted by LeSabre97mint

The lights on the dash that warn of overheating, oil psi.... and such are called idiot lights. Either they don't come on or they come on after the damage is done. Gauges are the way to go.

Have you looked under the hood when the Poof sound is heard?

Dan

well got ot down to a garage that said they DID find water int he oil and they are doing a tear down inspection to see if the heads are cracked or if the block is cracked. Its going to cost me 1700. big ones if its just the head.. if its the block that means 3000.00 + for a reconditioned engine.. I dont know that I want to do that......Its a big car thats hard to park cause of its size and It was given to me as an inheritance.
Of course one way to look at it is.. for 3000.00+ I got a car to drive.. Altho if I was going to spend 3 g's on a car thats the last thing I would choose to buy...