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Buick Century Maintenance and Repair

575 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2013 at 8:01 PM

You are in the Buick Century Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick Century, Buick, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, SUV

Messages Page 47 of 58

#460 of 575 Re: 2003 Buick Century 4 Dr Sedan [skerr032006] by tmbrett83

May 23, 2009 (11:56 pm)

Replying to: skerr032006 (May 03, 2009 8:52 am)
GMC last year lost a class action suit having to do with its coolant and how it affected the gaskets on the engine. I don't understand all the details, but I know that I had to pay over $600 to replace the intake manifold gasket because of the coolant issue. Fortunately I got some of that money back after I joined the class action suit. I bought it with a little over 100,000 miles on it. Great car, except for that one little detail. You might be just fine buying it, but I'd find out about its repair history if I were you.

#461 of 575 Re: 2003 Buick Century - transmission? [ds4281] by tmbrett83

May 24, 2009 (12:07 am)

Replying to: ds4281 (May 03, 2009 9:01 pm)
Based on what you've described, I had a similar problem recently. And sadly, it was the engine. I can't say for certain what the problem is with the car you're looking at, but the same symptoms in my car meant I had to replace the engine. I was not happy. We were coming up on 140,000 miles when it started to get real bad. After replacing the engine (there were metal filings in the oil in the old one), it still didn't pick up real fast. Turns out the catalytic converter was clogged, too, causing backpressure. The mechanic said that might have contributed to the engine failure. I'd have them check the backpressure before I put any money down.
Another word of warning with the 03 Century. GM lost a class action suit involving this car and a number of others. It had something to do with their custom coolant DEX Cool. It didn't get along with the gaskets very well. If I understand it right, the coolant ate the intake manifold gasket. Or something like that. I'd look at an '04 if I could find one. '03 was the last model year for that particular engine in the century.

#462 of 575 Re: 1998 Buick Century Digital odometer [joejb] by molerj

Jun 02, 2009 (9:12 pm)

Replying to: joejb (Aug 11, 2007 9:15 pm)
Joe, ( or anyone else) did you fix the problem with your odometer light not working. I am having the same problem. All other lights work except odometer & gear selector light. Turning the headlight switch dims lights but still doesn't bring the odometer light back on.

#463 of 575 Is it costly to repair the speeedometor on a 1998 buick century by bompeabeats

Jun 04, 2009 (10:29 am)

#464 of 575 Problem starting. by need_help

Jun 15, 2009 (7:17 am)

When I go to start it sometimes it does not crank. The lights and everything else work just fine but it won't even attempt to start. All I here is a click sound, thats all. I recently had the ignition lock cyclinder replaced because I was told that was the problem but it still acts up. It runs perfect, I did notice when it sits for a couple hours to overnight it'll start, but I drove it from Indi to Illinois and when I turned it off and tried to restart it it would not start. Any answers to this problem would be greatly appreciated.

#465 of 575 Re: Problem starting. [need_help] by uhura92

Jun 17, 2009 (10:26 am)

Replying to: need_help (Jun 15, 2009 7:17 am)
Sounds like the solenoid on the starter is going bad.

#466 of 575 Re: 2002 Buick Century [qwerty57] by mfacdgba33

Jul 04, 2009 (8:29 am)

Replying to: qwerty57 (Nov 03, 2003 1:20 pm)
yes the contacts go out often and the only fix ive found is to get new switches at an auto parts store that match size and use. I got lucky and found some now they work good. the originals were all made by the lowest bidder.

#467 of 575 Re: check engine light [will_man] by mfacdgba33

Jul 04, 2009 (8:34 am)

Replying to: will_man (Jan 04, 2005 12:03 am)
check the coil pack with a volt meter to see if its resistance is within limits.

#468 of 575 1998 Buick Century Transmission by jmayfield

Jul 06, 2009 (5:03 pm)

Last week I decided to service my 1998 Buick Century, it has over 185k and never had a problem since buying it new. After researching a good mechanic, I got new tires, breaks and rotors, serpentine belt, oil change and had the transmission serviced.
 
Today I heard the transmission making noise. I checked the fluid and there was none! Also saw transmission fluid spots on the pavement under the car, but not very much.
 
I am wondering if the problem was caused by the mechanic not doing something right, or if new transmission fluid can destroy the seals. The transmission has been serviced before without problems.
 
Thanks,
jMayfield

#469 of 575 Re: 2000 Buick Century Code P0401 [edbeard] by 2002_buick

Aug 16, 2009 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: edbeard (Jul 08, 2007 11:11 am)
Remove the O2 sensor before the catalytic converter. This will remove extra pressure off the catalytic converter and your engine should run smother if you have a "going bad catalytic converter" If your performance improves change catalytic converter and have all faults reset.

Messages Page 47 of 58

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