While arguably "easy" it can still cost hundreds of dollars depending on how difficult access is. I would agree, although pending a determination by another Buick dealer that the warranty won't cover it. He might even recommend a non-OEM clamp that works 'better' that GM's. Personally, I'd check out an independent mechanic since this kinda thing is an easy repair. At a certain point, the coolant mixture might start to slush. That said, OP, topping off is fine, but be wary of only adding water if you live in a cold climate. Radiators and cooling stuff can be specifically excluded from powertrain warranty. But I only have experience with my own vehicles and attempts to research warranty coverage for those. My experience with GM was that it's very specific that only the internal parts of the cooling system are covered, so if this hose/pipe connects one part of the engine cooling passages to another, it might be covered, but if it connects the engine or water pump to anything else (radiator, heater core, etc.) it definitely wouldn't be. And I would ask to speak with the service manager and see whats up with a part that is on back order.I deal with parts on back order all the time but you can usually find most things with some might be worth checking in with a different dealer because clearly this one is not helping you.you can add a little fluid sure but you should not have to add anything.also remember that coolant is poison to your plants and critters. The coolant leak IS part of the powertrain.who ever told you that is wrong. How far is it from you to another Buick dealer that you could ask about the problem? Using another non-Buick GM dealer: when I tried that it was complicated, but YMMV. My guess is that the infamous cooling elbows might be covered based on that (since they are part of the coolant circulation after entering the water pump/engine and before exiting), but they usually don't fail until well after the warranty period (mine didn't.) And nobody knows what exact part you're referring to. In any case you have to be more specific about what's leaking: as far as I know the powertrain begins where the coolant enters the engine block or water pump (not any hose connecting it to anything) and ends where the coolant exits (again not any hose connection outside of that.) So it includes the water pump but not any connections to, for example, the heater core or radiator. I've been through about half of a large bottle of replacement fluid, so far, and have driven the car minimally (~5 mile trips, mostly).ġ) Should I trust the dealership that this is not power train, and thus not covered, or try to research and dispute it?Ģ) Is there any real danger in just adding fluid once every few days?ģ) If for some reason there WAS a very low level of coolant, how likely is it that the car would warn me noticeably, and/or I'd otherwise avoid any real damage to the engine?Ĥ) Is the backordered part situation at least semi-normal? Should I chase around with either the other Buick dealerships in town, or independents, and see if someone can address this a little faster?Īlthough not your problem since your car wouldn't have the same parts, this reminds me of the notorious plastic cooling elbows from the 3.8L engines. FWIW, mostly I don't see a puddle - I guess it evaporates about as fast as it leaks. I can see the coolant level steadily drop, and have bought, and added some replacement fluid. (I checked in with them once, ~10 days ago, and they still didn't have/couldn't find the clamp). ![]() Now it's 12/29, and dealer still has not contacted me. Dealership is gonna try to track them down through various systems, and let me know when they get them. ![]() But they're out of stock across the country. They can get the pipe, but need some clamps or something that go with the pipe. Gonna be pricey repair (~$700), but that's not the main issue. Car is out of bumper to bumper warranty, but still in power train warranty, but dealer says this is not a power train issue, because the pipe supplying coolant fluid is not a moving part. (I drove it minimally until dropping it off at the dealer 12/7 - dealership said that was OK.)ĭiagnosis - leak in the coolant system. Buick dealer was backed up, didn't end up looking at the car until ~12/9. 11/29, I noticed a pinkish puddle where the front of the car is normally parked. Somewhat uncommon car in the US, possibly causing rare parts issues (see below).Ĭa.
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