Engine Overheating

1999 BUICK CENTURY
160,000 MILES • 3.1L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JJRAYGUN
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My car overheated. I let it cool completely, eight hours later I started it and eased it home. It never overheated but would fluctuate from normal to above normal. Upon inspection I found that my ac compressor was locking up and my tension pulley was bad. So I put a new compressor, pulley and thermostat on. The water pump is about three months old, and seems to be working. I emptied the coolant from radiator, and ran a garden hose in it to make sure it was not clogged. Put it all back together and filled with new 50/50 coolant. Started the car with rad cap off and it shot fluid out the radiator , then seemed to work normal. I added some water, let the air bubbles dissipate and put the cap on. Took it for a short drive and it started getting hot (never overheated). So I parked it. As I got out I heard a hissing sound. Both radiator hoses was swollen and steam/smoke coming from the thermostat housing where it meets the hose. I have no coolant in the oil, no smoke from tail pipe, no coolant lose, and I pulled two plugs to check for coolant. They was dry. I am at a loss as to where I go next. I cannot afford to take it to a mechanic right now. Any help would be appreciate.
Apr 2, 2017 at 12:34 PM
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HMAC300
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rent a pressure tester from auto parts and pressure check system then get the chemical additive it will tell you one way or another if it is a gasket. also when hot remove fuses for cooling fans with engine off feel around radiator fins if you feel any cold spots then the radiator is no good should be same temperature all over.
Apr 2, 2017 at 3:56 PM
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JJRAYGUN
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Thank you so much for responding. I will be doing exactly what you recommended after work tomorrow. I will report the results back here, this thing is driving me crazy. Thanks again.
Apr 2, 2017 at 6:09 PM
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STRAILER
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Please let us know what happens

Best, Ken
Apr 4, 2017 at 7:58 PM
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STORMY1407
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Engine Cooling problem
1999 Buick Century 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 199000 miles

I have tryed just about everything i can think of and the car still over heats Ive changed the water pump the thermostat the hoses the radiator and flushed it and it still over heats even put a a little hole in the thermostat and just cant figure it out im starting to think theres something in the block but dont know how to go about trying to fix that and the fans do work
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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Its time to do a block and pressure tests to find out out where its leaking, Could be airlock try bleeding it
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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ATKAPARKING
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You don't mention in your post if you are losing coolant--if so, check your radiator cap as well as the advice from the previous poster to check for internal coolant leak.

If you are not losing coolant and your fans operate, most likely you will need a new or recored radiator.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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KCRONIN0301
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Engine Cooling problem
1999 Buick Century 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 10000 miles

My vehicle is leaking about a quart of coolent per day with no visoble leaks. There is also visible oil debree in the coolant.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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RENAUDTN
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My first guess is a leak in your automatic transmission fluid cooler lines inside your radiator.
Check your ATF and make sure there's no coolant in it.
But it may be a bad head gasket or cracked head.
Check your oil (do you have coolant in it?).
Do you have a lot of white smoke in your exhaust?

Do a compression test on each cylinder.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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SHEILA RODGERS
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I experienced this with my 99 buick. It was a faulty head gasket. Some models were recalled, but may wasn't. It was a defect from the factory. It cost me 500.00 to have it repaired.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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DLOBI
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We should know which V6 engine is in your car.
I'm going to assume it is the 3.1 liter V6 as that was the most common. This motor is very well known for lower intake gasket failure. Coolant in your oil or oil in your coolant could both be signs of intake gasket failure. It is a pretty big job and kind of expensive to have done. I have done quite a few of these repairs on 3.1 liter GM engines. There are new gaskets out now that take care of the problem that the old gaskets had.
You will likely see seepage on the back side (drivers side) of the motor if you shine a flashlight down to where the intake manifold meets the heads and the block.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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FREEDOM0158801
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Engine Cooling problem
1999 Buick Century 6 cyl Automatic

engine overheats when idle or slow speeds and cools down when on highyway. What could the problem be? No water in the oil also>
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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JDL
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Hello, I'd check to see if the radiator fan/s working?
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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RANDALL LUCKETT
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its more than likely the radiator cap.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:00 PM (Merged)
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BELLAGURL
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Engine Cooling problem
1999 Buick Century 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 180000 miles

my car hot n cold button goes over to hot then over to cool why? then theres smoke comming from the front right side also. please explain why is this happening?
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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ERNEST CLARK
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Does anti-freeze keep disappearing but you don't see any on the ground? Is there white smoke coming out of the tail pipe when the vehicle is cold? If so, then you have a blown head gasket.

If not, then either you have a restriction in the cooling system, or your water pump has failed. (Most likely on an engine with so many miles)
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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MARCOXIV
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Engine Cooling problem
1999 Buick Century

Im putting this buick back on the road after 1 year and a half sitting in a parking. The engine doesn't seem to overheat but the water pump is making noise (but not leakin). When I open the radiator cap, it is full a greasy thick stuff. Do I absolutely need to flush the system.
(I also added green coolant without thinking to the already there red dex-cool stuff).

Anyways, could someone help me out.
Thanks
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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DOCFIXIT
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Flush out with Cascade dish washer detergent to remove Dex.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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AUTOBAHN
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Engine Cooling problem
1999 Buick Century 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 150000 miles

Hi there
I have a Buick century 99. The eengine is over heating in warmer weather. Last year the whole head gascet hoses etc were replaced because of a smal leak at the gascet. Back then the car also overheated. Since all the repairs were doen nothing changed. car overheats, temperature gage is rising in warmer weather and in slow traffic; the fluid level sare good. it is not so noticeble in colder weather. What could it be?
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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DOCFIXIT
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Maybe radiator blockage or cooling fans not operating
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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KUESTEV
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Engine Cooling problem
1999 Buick Century 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 107000 miles

I keep loosing coolant, it is not going in the oil pan and I do not see any leaks on the floor.
I have to fill it every two or three days, can't figure out where it is going.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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DOCFIXIT
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Intake manifold gaskt leaking coolant into cumbustion chamber very common. White smoke from exhaust?
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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TAYLORALEX
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Engine Cooling problem
1999 Buick Century 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 90000 miles

i found oil residue in the radiator and some in the overflow bottle i didnt find water on the dipstick after driving it sometimes you can smell hot coolant but have found no leaks any ideas on where to start
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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BILLYMAC
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hi taylor.this could be a cpl probs . possibly a head gasket seeping into the cooling system. but also possible that the cooler inside the radiator is leaking trans fluid in the cooling system.the simplist way of diagnoseing this is with dye and a black light. there is dye for eng oil and also for teans fluid.avail at most parts stores..good luck billymac
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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RATDEVIL
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Engine Cooling problem
1999 Buick Century 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 98000 miles
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water leak on passenger side of engine below idle pully area tward rear of engine.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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BMRFIXIT
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we just did one with the same issue timing cover gasket


kit was about $18:00
and 4 to 5 hr labor
check it out
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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TONYDWINDOM
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I was just driving it and I turned on a street and I saw smoke coming from the hood. It wasn't a lot, was only coming from the side. But my car isn't overheating.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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it may be oil or something like it dripping onto manifold check for a leaky valve cover gasket. or possibly p/s hose leaking.
Apr 4, 2017 at 8:01 PM (Merged)