1996 Buick Riviera Cooling System Parts

This table covers the engine coolants and antifreeze formulations specified for this cooling system. Typical signs include a rising temperature gauge, rusty or sludged coolant, or a heater that blows cold. Use the chemistry named in the notes. Mixing silicate, OAT and HOAT formulas can gel in the radiator. Read more

15 Coolant / Antifreeze parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from PRESTONE, PEAK, FVP and 3 other brands. FVP MV5050GAL carries the "Popular" badge. All of them fit every engine offered in the 1996 Riviera.

The Compatible With All Colors section lists 1 option from PRESTONE — grouped under the catalog's "Compatible With All Colors" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. PRESTONE AF3055 is listed in this group.

In the Economy grade, FVP, PEAK, PRESTONE and 1 other brand supply 4 parts: the catalog's value-priced group. A representative part number is FVP MV5050GAL.

The Premium section lists 4 options from PRESTONE and PEAK — a step above OE specification in materials, tolerances or warranty terms. PRESTONE AF2100 is listed in this group.

The Standard Replacement section lists 6 options from PRESTONE, VALVOLINE, ACDELCO and 2 other brands — built to original-equipment specification. VALVOLINE ZXEL1 is listed in this group.

This table covers the hard pipes and extra hoses in the coolant circuit. Read more

3 Coolant Hose / Pipe parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from ACDELCO, GATES and GM GENUINE. All of them fit every engine offered in the 1996 Riviera.

Part numbers include ACDELCO 14108S, GATES 18801 and GM GENUINE 24503423.

This table covers the seals at the Coolant Hose / Pipe. Typical signs include a wet housing, a drip after sitting, or fluid flung off a rotating shaft. Fix the surface the seal rides on. A new seal on a grooved shaft will leak again. Read more

4 Coolant Hose / Pipe Seal parts for the 1996 Buick Riviera come from 3 brands — GM GENUINE, FEL-PRO and MAHLE / CLEVITE. 3 parts fit every engine; the other 1 is engine-specific.

Part numbers include FEL-PRO 36021, GM GENUINE 1534066 and GM GENUINE 24501563, among others listed above.

This table covers the Coolant Hose Connector flanges. Read more

One part is listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera — FOUR SEASONS 86500.

This table covers the Coolant Hose retainers and clips. Read more

One part is listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera — DORMAN 961364.

This table covers the Coolant Level sensors. Typical signs include a warning lamp, a stored code, or a reading that drops out when the harness is wiggled. Inspect the connector and ground before replacing the sensor — wiring faults are often condemned as bad sensors. Read more

4 Coolant Level Sensor parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from FAMOUS BRAND, GPD, STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS and 1 other brand. All of them fit every engine offered in the 1996 Riviera.

This group includes FAMOUS BRAND SBA3759, GPD 1712533 and STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS FLS17 and the remaining parts above.

This table covers the caps on the overflow / expansion tank. Typical signs include a leak at the neck, a cap that will not hold pressure, or a missing tether. Match the pressure rating or thread in the notes — radiator, reservoir and fuel caps are not interchangeable. Read more

This group shows a single part: DORMAN 54217.

This table covers the Cooling Fan control modules. Read more

2 Cooling Fan Control Module parts for the 1996 Buick Riviera come from US MOTOR WORKS. Every part fits both the 3.8L V6 and the 3.8L V6 Supercharged.

This group includes US MOTOR WORKS 16789 and US MOTOR WORKS 16795.

This table covers the adapters used to pressure-test this cooling system. Read more

3 Cooling System Tester Adapter parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from ACDELCO, GATES and MOTORAD. All of them fit every engine offered in the 1996 Riviera.

This group includes ACDELCO 12A01, GATES 31413 and MOTORAD 3003.

This table covers the radiators that dump engine heat to airflow through the core. Typical signs include overheating in traffic, a wet core, or coolant that disappears with no puddle. Replace the cap if it cannot hold the rated pressure, and bleed the system after the swap. Read more

6 Radiator parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from TECHPRO, GPD, AGILITY and 2 other brands. AGILITY 8011777 carries the "Popular" badge. All of them fit every engine offered in the 1996 Riviera.

Economy: 3 parts, from TECHPRO and GPD. A representative part number is GPD 1777C.

The Standard Replacement section: 3 options from AGILITY, FVP and OSC. AGILITY 8011777 is listed in this group.

Part numbers include AGILITY 8011777, GPD 1777C and TECHPRO GM3010133, among others listed above.

This table covers the caps that hold system pressure at the radiator or reservoir neck. Typical signs include a leak at the neck, a cap that will not hold pressure, or a missing tether. Match the pressure rating or thread in the notes — radiator, reservoir and fuel caps are not interchangeable. Read more

9 Radiator Cap parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from CALORSTAT, GATES, MOTORAD and 2 other brands. ACDELCO RC27 carries the "Popular" badge. All of them fit every engine offered in the 1996 Riviera.

The Locking Replacement section lists 4 options from CALORSTAT, GATES and MOTORAD — grouped under the catalog's "Locking Replacement" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. CALORSTAT RC0214 is listed in this group.

The Standard Replacement section: 5 options from ACDELCO, GATES, CALORSTAT and 2 other brands. ACDELCO RC27 is listed in this group.

Listed part numbers: ACDELCO RC27, CALORSTAT RC0214 and CALORSTAT RC0217, plus the other parts above.

This table covers the fan assemblies (and clutches, where listed) that pull air through the radiator. Read more

2 Radiator Fan Assembly parts for the 1996 Buick Riviera come from 2 brands — TECHPRO and UAC. Every part fits both the 3.8L V6 and the 3.8L V6 Supercharged.

The Economy section: 1 option from TECHPRO. TECHPRO GM3115149 is listed in this group.

Standard Replacement: 1 part, from UAC. A representative part number is UAC FA50092C.

This group includes TECHPRO GM3115149 and UAC FA50092C.

This table covers the Radiator Fan motors. Typical signs include no motion, a squeal, or a motor that only runs on one speed. Confirm power, ground and the control module before replacing the motor. Read more

8 Radiator Fan Motor parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from FOUR SEASONS, GPD, VDO / CONTINENTAL and 2 other brands. FOUR SEASONS 35656 carries the "Popular" badge. All of them fit every engine offered in the 1996 Riviera.

Listed part numbers: FOUR SEASONS 35656, FOUR SEASONS 35380 and ACDELCO 1580033, plus the other parts above.

This table covers the upper, lower and connecting hoses between radiator, engine and reservoir. Typical signs include swelling, cracks, a soft spot, or a leak at a clamp. Replace adjacent aged hoses while the system is drained — they share the same heat cycle. Read more

9 Radiator Hose parts for the 1996 Buick Riviera come from 4 brands — ACDELCO, DAYCO, GATES and 1 other brand. The "Popular" part is DAYCO 71852. 6 parts fit every engine; the other 3 are engine-specific.

This group includes DAYCO 71852, DAYCO 71851 and GATES 21361 and the remaining parts above.

This table covers the senders that report coolant temperature to the gauge or ECU. Typical signs include a gauge that sits on empty or overheat, or a lamp that does not match what the engine is doing. Rule out the cluster and the wiring before replacing the sender. Read more

15 Temperature Sender / Sensor parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS, WALKER PRODUCTS, FOUR SEASONS and 9 other brands. ACDELCO 1551107 carries the "Popular" badge. 12 parts fit every engine; the other 3 are engine-specific.

Economy: 3 parts, from HOLSTEIN, STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS and UNITED MOTOR PRODUCTS. A representative part number is HOLSTEIN 2CTS0002.

In the Full Service Kit grade, WALKER PRODUCTS supplies 1 part: grouped under the catalog's "Full Service Kit" designation — the notes column spells out what sets them apart. A representative part number is WALKER PRODUCTS 21191039.

The Standard Replacement section: 11 options from FOUR SEASONS, ACDELCO, GM GENUINE and 7 other brands. ACDELCO 1551107 is listed in this group.

This table covers the thermostats that open the coolant circuit at the specified temperature. Typical signs include slow warm-up, a gauge that climbs in traffic, or heat that never quite arrives. Replace the housing gasket with the thermostat and bleed the system so a trapped air pocket does not cook the new part. Read more

13 Thermostat parts for the 1996 Buick Riviera come from 5 brands — MOTORAD, GATES, GM GENUINE and 2 other brands. The "Popular" part is MOTORAD 5239192. Every part fits both the 3.8L V6 and the 3.8L V6 Supercharged.

In the Heavy Duty grade, MOTORAD supplies 2 parts: rated for severe service. A representative part number is MOTORAD 5239192.

Premium: 4 parts, from MOTORAD. A representative part number is MOTORAD 7203192.

Standard Replacement: 7 parts, from MOTORAD, GATES, GM GENUINE and 2 other brands. A representative part number is GATES 33429.

This table covers the seals at the thermostat housing and water outlet. Typical signs include a wet housing, a drip after sitting, or fluid flung off a rotating shaft. Fix the surface the seal rides on. A new seal on a grooved shaft will leak again. Read more

13 Thermostat / Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet Seal parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from VICTOR REINZ, FEL-PRO, MAHLE / CLEVITE and 4 other brands. FEL-PRO 35666 carries the "Popular" badge.

This table covers the housings and outlets the thermostat sits in. Read more

4 Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet parts for the 1996 Buick Riviera come from 4 brands — DORMAN, GPD, FOUR SEASONS and 1 other brand.

The Economy section: 2 options from DORMAN and GPD. DORMAN 9022001 is listed in this group.

Standard Replacement: 2 parts, from FOUR SEASONS and MOTORAD. A representative part number is FOUR SEASONS 85167.

This group includes DORMAN 9022001, GPD 8241409 and FOUR SEASONS 85167 and the remaining parts above.

This table covers the pumps that circulate coolant through the block and radiator. Typical signs include coolant at the weep hole, pulley play, or a growl from the front of the engine. Replace the thermostat and refill with the specified coolant whenever the pump comes off. Read more

11 Water Pump parts for the 1996 Buick Riviera come from 10 brands — DAYCO, US MOTOR WORKS, FVP and 7 other brands. The "Popular" part is US MOTOR WORKS US5075.

The Economy section: 4 options from US MOTOR WORKS, FVP, SKP and 1 other brand. US MOTOR WORKS US5075 is listed in this group.

Standard Replacement: 7 parts, from DAYCO, ACDELCO, GMB and 3 other brands. A representative part number is ACDELCO 252693.

This table covers the gaskets between the water pump and the block or housing. Typical signs include seepage at the joint, a burnt-oil smell, or a leak that appears only after a long drive. Clean both flanges and torque in the sequence the notes or the manual call for. Read more

9 Water Pump Gasket parts are listed for the 1996 Buick Riviera, from FEL-PRO, APEX, MAHLE / CLEVITE and 2 other brands. FEL-PRO 35351 carries the "Popular" badge.

Part numbers include FEL-PRO 35351, FEL-PRO 35804 and APEX AWP3003, among others listed above.