1997 Buick LeSabre Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1997 Buick LeSabre gives the specifications for a gasoline 3.8L V6 with overhead valves and natural aspiration, the engine behind both the Custom and the Limited. Those two trims come on a 4-door sedan body. Procedures run from the engine and its fuel, ignition and cooling systems through the transmission, brakes, suspension and steering, and wiring diagrams and diagnostics cover the electrical system, with torque values given for the sedan's body.

Engines covered

• 3.8L V6 (231 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sedan

Trims covered

• Custom
• Limited

Known issues on the 1997 LeSabre. Two recalls sit on the federal record for the 1997 LeSabre. On certain 1997 LeSabre vehicles with the 3.8L engine, a starting backfire could break the upper intake manifold and cause a no-start or an underhood fire; new control module programming was the remedy, with owners advised to start the car only with the hood shut until it was done. Certain cars were also assembled with mismatched seat belt or buckle parts that might not latch. Owners filed 394 complaints, 110 on the engine and engine cooling; 31 reported a fire, 26 a crash, 21 an injury and 1 a death. Engine, fuel and intake procedures, specifications and torque values follow.