# 04 Buik Rainier

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-buik-rainier/25501>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** gaskets\
**Created:** [January 25, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-buik-rainier/25501 "2009-01-25T02:47:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![cabella](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b19c9b/32.png) [@cabella](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cabella)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 2:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-buik-rainier/25501/1 "2009-01-25T02:47:54Z")

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I have an 04 Buik Rainier w/ under 80,000 miles. I belive it need’s a head gasket. Um finding that is loosing coolant, building pressure and it smell’s sweet at the exhoust. I have alway’s done regular maintainence and never would have thought of a head gasket going at 80,000 miles !  
  
  
  
 It has a 4.2 liter V6 Engine.  
  
  
  
 Has this beem a promblem with the GM 4.2 Liter ?  
  
  
  
 Do you think GM would warrenty such an item ?  
  
  
  
 Is there something I could try (except for stop leak) to try and see if it’s something else?  
  
  
  
 Thanks  
  
  
  
 Cabella

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-buik-rainier/25501/2 "2009-01-25T03:28:40Z")

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I can’t say whether or not head gaskets have been a problem with this engine, but your description sure sounds like a bad head gasket.

At 80K miles, I’d guess warranty is out of the question, but I suppose it’s worth a try.

The only remedy for a bad head gasket is a new head gasket. Don’t waste your time and/or money on miracles in a bottle. They won’t work.

There are several tests that can determine, without a doubt, whether or not a head gasket is leaking. Don’t guess, have the tests done by a competent mechanic.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-buik-rainier/25501/3 "2009-01-25T16:11:17Z")

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Check your owner’s manual to see if the drive train warranty is still in effect.

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**Author:** ![JayWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@JayWB](https://community.cartalk.com/u/JayWB)\
**Post date:** [January 25, 2009, 6:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/04-buik-rainier/25501/4 "2009-01-25T18:17:53Z")

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Intake manifold gasket is also a possibility.