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Buick Century Car Repair Questions and Answers

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Question:   1998 Buick Century  mileage: 72,000.  If you can successfully pinpoint this problem, you should be President.  The problem is rough idle.  Service Engine Soon light comes on intermittently.  We have replaced the wires, plugs, throttle position sensor, and idle air control valve.  Performance improved (better acceleration, surging stopped), but the idle problem persists.  Have checked for vacuum leaks, maybe not successfully...?   Should we bother with the oxygen sensor?   EGR valve?  PCV?  Auughh!  Can you help? Mechanics in our area have been no help.

Answer:  Here are some things to have checked:  1.  Check for flat cam,  2.  Check the compression,  3.  Check the computer for any stored fault codes, and 4.  Check to see that the EGR valve is not hanging open.  In addition, service the fuel injection system.  Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages.

Question:   1998 Buick Century  mileage: 100,000. I recently bought this car and was told it had a new transmission put in (not a new transmission, but new to the car), however it rides very rough like the transmission is very old.  I've heard that when a car gets a new transmission it takes a while for the gears to "wear in", is this true?  And if so, how long does it take?

Answer: If your transmission is running rough now, it will not get better in the future, unfortunately.

Question:   1995 Buick Century mileage: 61,497.  What causes an engine to burn or blowhole in top of piston #6 cylinder to have zero compression?  No oil in water, no water in oil, but air cleaner has a lot of oil and blew oil out the dipstick tube and oil fill.  This is the total miles on the car and the motor has 12000 on last rebuild.  First had a spun bearing.

Answer: The reason for piston failure is normally a lean fuel mixture possibly caused by a vacuum leak.  There is a remote chance it might be ignition timing and pre-ignition.

Answer:   Your stalling problem may be cause by the fuel pump. Replacing it and the fuel filter should fix your problem.

Answer: Check to see that throttle linkage is not binding or “hanging up.”  Check to see that the floor mat is clear of gas pedal.  Scan computer for fault codes.

Question: 2002 Buick Century mileage: 84,000.   Car is hard to keep running.  When checked on scanner it shows that quad drivers 1 and 2 bad.   I replaced the PCM but still shows same problem.

Answer: When you replaced the PCM did you also replace the calibration prom in the PCM?  If not, that may be your problem.  Next, check wiring for continuity or damage. 

Question:  2001 Buick Century mileage: 99,000. I just replaced the motor transmission, mass airflow sensor, EGR valve, spark plugs, coil pak, plug wires, water pump, air intake sensor and fuel filter. Now the problem I'm having is the car starts fine but it will only run when I have my foot on the gas. As far as I know, the injectors are good but I'm not so sure about the fuel pump in the tank. Could that cause the car to start and die? It will start then die after a few seconds like there isn't enough gas going to the injectors? Is there any test I could perform to check the pump in the tank? I thought about getting an electric fuel pump and going outside of the tank to see if that solves the problem. What do you think I should do?

Answer:  Several things can cause the problem you describe. Double check all wiring connectors and ground connectors to the motor. Example: If oil pressure wire is not on, the engine will cut off after several seconds. Check wiring to idle speed motor, etc. Your fuel pump may be your problem. First, check for 12 volts to the pump when the engine is running or cranking. You may be loosing voltage when the engine is running. If okay, check fuel pressure by "teeing" in a pressure gauge.

Question: 1999 Buick Century 37,400 miles. My car makes a popping sound when I start it up and idles. In addition, when I rev it it pops at the end of the rev.

Answer: The first thing to do is to have the PCM computer scanned. If a fault code or codes are present, it may tell you what your problem is. If no codes are present, then try a compression check and a fuel pump test. Other possibilities are ignition problems or plug wires.