as far as the car i got my 98 bonnie (same engine and trans) a few years old and has been the best car for reliability ive had. aside from doing the intake manifold once when it was young and once again a couple months ago its been rock solid and has about 180k on it. the wife drives it daily and i dont feel like she could have anything more safe or reliable in buying a new car. she doesnt like anything they make any more anyway.

so if you intend on keeping it replace all the vacuum lines you wont be sorry unless you dont. the solenoids dont go very often, people just replace them with out testing them for some reason but its a waste of money.

Tks. for info. Just learned a few things. Given age/mi. on this car I'm aware of potential problems. I sure can't complain cause (overall) been a really good ride. But, gut feeling says..need to make a change.

I can certainly understand not wanting to spend a lot of money to fix this issue, but don't toss away your car based on a CEL for an emissions issue that does not affect driveability.

You can get cheap code readers off Ebay for $30.

Not gonna toss it just yet. Eng. seems to be running ok & light still off. I fixed a v. cover o. leak earlier this yr. & replaced few other parts. Last o. change noticed o.pan is leaking alittle./ More I looked at it, man there'* alot of stuff to remove etc. I think i'll just live with that unless it gets really bad.

Been using 10W/30 (dino), but late last yr. switched to 5W/30 semi/syn. oil. Just wondering if that is making it leak or just cause of age/miles (like me lol!) tks.

sometimes the bolts just need a little tightening. as far as the oil ive changed mine every 5k with standard valv 10w30 and thats what it likes best. i tried high mileage and that but doesnt run as good or as smooth. mine never has leaked from the pan just the sensor that is above the filter thats kind of a common 3800 thing

I've done all the normal maint etc. Just old age ketchin up.
Kept this buick long enuf, kinda reminds me of wrenching I use to do on my 66 Chevelle. I'll check out sensor you mentioned. Tks.

Odd I can't edit my reply? Forgot to say.. I'll also check p.bolts next time Im under there. Tks.

the edit is only on for a short period of time then would rather post again so people can see

OK. tks.

Update for anyone reading this....Wife didn't like new fuel cap cause no strap holding it like oem. So, got curious. Put orig. cap back on a few days ago & so far ses light hasen't come back on. Notice I say so far. Thinking....

Maybe orig. cap wasn't tight enuf before? Maybe somekinda what I call one time glitch? Mention cause had same happen on my truck. SES came on, but went off later. No complaint, just got me to wondering.