Engine Overheating

Tiny
JJRAYGUN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 3.1L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
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.
Sunday, April 2nd, 2017 AT 12:34 PM

27 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
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.
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Sunday, April 2nd, 2017 AT 3:56 PM
Tiny
JJRAYGUN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
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.
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Sunday, April 2nd, 2017 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,492 POSTS
Please let us know what happens

Best, Ken
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
STORMY1407
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 199,000 MILES
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
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Its time to do a block and pressure tests to find out out where its leaking, Could be airlock try bleeding it
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ATKAPARKING
  • MEMBER
  • 64 POSTS
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.
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-1
Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KCRONIN0301
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,000 MILES
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.
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RENAUDTN
  • MECHANIC
  • 636 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHEILA RODGERS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
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.
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DLOBI
  • MEMBER
  • 125 POSTS
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.
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-1
Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FREEDOM0158801
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
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>
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, I'd check to see if the radiator fan/s working?
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RANDALL LUCKETT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Its more than likely the radiator cap.
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BELLAGURL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
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?
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERNEST CLARK
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,730 POSTS
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)
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARCOXIV
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
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
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Flush out with Cascade dish washer detergent to remove Dex.
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AUTOBAHN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
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?
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Maybe radiator blockage or cooling fans not operating
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KUESTEV
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 BUICK CENTURY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
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.
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Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 AT 8:01 PM (Merged)

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