2001 Buick Century cooling

Hi:

It sounds like an easy fix. If I had to guess without seeing the car, I would say the cooling fan is not coming on. As a result, there is no air flow when you're stopped causing the engine to run hotter. An easy way to check is to open the hood, start the engine, and allow the vehicle to run until the gauge goes toward the hot area. The fan has a temperature sensor that should turn it on at a specific temp.

If the fan doesn't come on, either the motor is bad, or the temp sensor is bad. However, the sensor should have triggered a code in the computer. Is the check engine light on?

Let me know.
Joe