Intake Manifold Gaskets May Leak Coolant or Engine Oil : Buick Century Common Engine Problems

Buick Century Intake Manifold Gaskets May Leak Coolant or Engine Oil

Buick Century Problem

81 Reports

Me Too

Model Years Affected: 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

Engines Affected: 3.1L V6, 3.3L V6

Average Mileage: 98,611 mi (30,000 mi - 277,684 mi)

The intake manifold gasket may develop and external engine oil or coolant leak. In some cases, an internal coolant leak may occur causing coolant to mix with the engine oil. Our technicians tell us that operating the engine with a coolant/oil mix can result in internal engine damage. Replacing the intake manifold gasket should correct these leaks.

Add to My Checklist

Find a Shop

Follow this Problem Report Unfollow this Problem Report

GMLackOfEthics, 2001 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 85,000 mi

Rookie
Experiencing the exact same, known issues with my Buick Century 2001 as mentioned in the Dex Cool lawsuit of 2008: dexcoolstettlement.com. Unfortunately, I was not aware of that lawsuit or I certainly would have filed a claim to cover the cost of repairing a failed Intake Manifold gasket and seals. My car's radiator has a brown sludge in it, which has contributed to a leak as well as corruption of the coolant sensor and the overflow bottle.

I called GM Customer Relations and after their District Manager Katarina from Seattle region promised to assist after GM told me to get the problem diagnosed at a local Buick Dealer, I was then handed off to a Rasheed in Customer Relations, who said Katarina had conveniently gone on a vacation for a week. Rasheed now told me GM won't pay for the repairs.

SHAME on General Motors! This was a KNOWN problem (cheap, plastic materials used for their Intake Manifold Gaskets and a bad reaction between DexCool and the radiator) since 1996, according to embarrassing internal GM documents. And yet, GM still won't pay for my repairs.

My extended family has been a long-time GM customer, purchasing Cadillacs, Buicks and GMC trucks in the past from them. Do you think we will EVER buy another GM product after such unethical, disrespectful treatment???

Not only should they pay for their obvious and court-documented MANUFACTURER DEFECT because it is the legal and ethical thing to do, they need to show respect to us as American taxpayers whose hard-earned money BAILED GM out of their bankruptcy in 2009.

SHAME on you., General Motors. shame!

Flag This

Like | 12 people like this12
Visitor, 2004 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 60,000 mi

Replacing manifold gasket 1,000 dollars. Replacing entire engine in a car with only 60,000 miles when it died 60 days later 2,000 dollars. Buying a buick again? No way.

Flag This

Like | 5 people like this5
Visitor, 1997 Buick Century, 277,684 mi

LOSING COOLANT, SAW DRIPPING AREA OF WATER PUMP AFTER PRESSURE CHECK FOUND LEAKING TIMING CHAIN COVER GASKET, HAD TO REPLACE GASKETS

Flag This

Like | 4 people like this4
Dana92028, 2001 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 75,000 mi

Rookie
its not fixed. There is no way I can afford $1000 to fix the darn thing and I sure as heck cant afford to buy another car. Thanks GMC ! GMC should have to some how right this wrong. I NEED MY CAR !

Flag This

Like | 3 people like this3
Visitor, 1994 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 110,000 mi

just got from older couple 2 month ago it has coolant leak and all so oil nothing to serious yet i keep stuff checked runs real good

Flag This

Like | 3 people like this3
Visitor, 2005 Buick Century, 107,000 mi

Intake Gasket replacement

Flag This

Like | 3 people like this3
Visitor, 2004 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 132,000 mi

oil in antifreez

Flag This

Like | 2 people like this2
Visitor, 2002 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 72,000 mi

leaking oil into the radiator

Flag This

Like | 2 people like this2
charliepal, 2001 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 78,000 mi

Rookie
Going to have intake problem repaired along with new antifreeze. Price quoted $550--six hours labor.

Flag This

Like | 2 people like this2
72Machi, 1999 Buick Century, 80,495 mi

Rookie
Collant leaking at rear of block between intake manifold and top of block between the lower part of the heads... slow at first then enough to trip the low coolant light... can't wait much longer to repair.

Flag This

Like | 2 people like this2
Visitor, 2002 Buick Century, 106,000 mi

small coolant puddle under upper intake manifold(plenum)

Flag This

Like | 2 people like this2
Visitor, 2003 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 33,000 mi

After running on highway for a while then getting into traffic where I had to idle for a while temp gage would go up to 3/4 . Dealer repaired at no cost to me.

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
Visitor, 2002 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 121,000 mi

Same problem that everyone else is reporting. I noticed the smell of coolant after the car came in from a drive for a few weeks. I looked at the engine a noticed a quarter sized puddle of coolant on the block near the thermostat housing. Sure enough, the intake was leaking. My trusted mechanic charged me 800 to make the repair.

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
Visitor, 2003 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 33,000 mi

When on highway for a while and then run into slow traffic or at idle for a while , temp gage would go up 3/4 way toward Hot.
Had car at dealer for other problem and explained this to service writer and when they checked it out.

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
Visitor, 1998 Buick Century, 196,000 mi

Gasket leak resulting in over heating,and burning coolant. Cost of repair was estimated at $1600. Car not worth fixing

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
medrumm, 2000 Buick Century, 3.1L V6, 34,000 mi

Rookie
replaced intake manifold gaskets

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
Visitor, 2000 Buick Century, 45,000 mi

Repaired by replacing intake manifold gaskets -- $1200.00

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
Visitor, 2000 Buick Century, 105,000 mi

low coolent light on also check engine light coolent on floor but when driving and thempure gage reads half way low coolent light goes off and no coolent will drip out

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
Visitor, 1998 Buick Century, 94,000 mi

coolant is leaking

Flag This

Like | 1 person likes this1
Visitor, 1999 Buick Century, 95,346 mi

Intake manifold gasket began leaking oil into coolant.

Flag This

Like0

+ See more reports

Car Problem Reports

Buick Century Intake Manifold Gaskets May Leak Coolant or Engine Oil

Buick Century Problem