Notice coolant is leaking around the intake manifold area on 3.1l v6 engine of my 1999 buick century. Local mechanic said it was a common problem with this engine. Dealer is asking approximately $900.00 to repair this problem. This should be a recall on this engine if this is a frequent problem. A good engine should not failed like this in my opinion. This is not a normal wear and tear of the engine, but poor engineering of the engine. Dealer should pay for this problem.
1999 Buick Century engine complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 61, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Dt*: the contact stated the engine's intake manifold was leaking antifreeze. The non service dealer determined the top of the motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not taken to a service dealer
Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was at the dealership for a routine brake check, it was noticed that antifreeze had leaked into the engine. The mechanic informed the contact there were many people with this problem. The contact stated there were no problems with the vehicle prior to the incident.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 20 MPH the vehicle stalled. No warning lights illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was determined to have a faulty cam shaft. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced.
I am the owner of a 1999 buick century with 78,000 miles. I bought the vehicle used and have no current warranty. Recently, the low coolant dash light began to intermittently illuminate, which prompted me to check thee coolant level and search the underneath of my vehicle. The coolant level was not low; however, there was a small amount of coolant on the ground. I did extensive research on the internet and identified that tens of thousands of gm vehicle owners have had this same problem with the coolant systems in their gm vehicles. The problem was that the lower intake manifold gasket needed to be replaced. Gm claims that the dex cool coolant, which is required in their vehicles, lasts for 150,000 miles of vehicle use without needing to be changed. However, my internet research of others'' complaints, and the service repairman at my local garage, confirmed that the dex cool coolant through the lower gasket at approximately 70-80,000 miles, requiring a new lower intake manifold gasket and a coolant flush, as well as a necessary oil change because the coolant leaks into the oil due to the faulty gaskets (and in turn causes decreased lubrication in the engine and ruins the bearings which is also a costly problem.) after having my vehicle repaired for $900, I am told by my service repairman that this problem will occur again in another 70-80,000 miles, should I own the vehicle for that long. There are several petitions on the internet regarding this faulty equipment, advocating for a gm recall. Gm, however, has done nothing to rectify this problem. Gm should be responsible for the cost incurred for the replacement on the lower intake manifold gasket on affected gm vehicles, as they claim the system is good for 150,000 miles with the dex cool coolant, which is clearly a false claim.
Failure of cooling system, engine intake manifold gasket. Vehicle is 1999 buick century with only 41000 original miles. Engine oil leaked into cooling radiator.
Intake gasket failed on 3.1 engine in a 1999 buick century. This engine has less than 55,000 miles on it at the time of failure. It appears as if there are many other complaints for the same issue and the manufacturer denies that there was faulty workmanship involved. Estimated cost of repair $700.00 also same car with less than 20,000 miles the bolt holding the left front caliper fell off while traveling down the road with my daughter driving (drivers permit) and locked up the left front wheel damaging the rim. Cost of repair $350.00.
Dt: the consumer owns a 1999 buick century. He states that six months after he purchased the vehicle he took the vehicle in for a recall on the headlights. While the vehicle was there they maintenance the vehicle and found that the gas filler pipe had deteriorated and the cooling system intake was leaking coolant. This vehicle only has about 50,000 miles. Both front lower control arm bushings had blown out and they had to be replaced also. Wyoming valley motors po box 1308 kingston, pa 18704-0308. He has spoken with gm they told him they would get back with him in a couple of days and they did not contact him back. He is not available until after 4:30. They told him the gas filler pipe was normal for the vehicle. He seen a article that said they had been having this problem with year for the cooling system. They also said the bushings was normal wear on a car also. He did go onto carfax and it did not indicate any time of problems with the vehicle. *jb
The intake manifold was leaking antifreeze, which could cause the vehicle to overheat. Manufacturer was contacted by consumer.*ak the engine locked up due to loss of coolant. The water pump started leaking at the shaft seal with less than 43000 miles on the vehicle. A dirty, oily substance was noticed in the radiator neck.
Coolant in oil - head gasket failure -
Car started to leak anti-freeze very slowly. Has the dexcool antifreeze. I checked the radiator to see if it was low, and the radiator looked as though it had lots of rust in it. So I took it to a local firestone store to have it looked at, and they found the leak and proceeded to tell me that this was a common occurrence in gm vehicles around this model year with the 3.1 liter engine, that a manifold gasket would start to leak, and you either got antifreeze leaking into the oil, or as in my case, the oil from the engine got into the cooling system, hence into the radiator and turned it into "gunk". The price tag to do the work was around $700. So I thought I would call the buick dealer in town to see what they knew about this problem and see what they would charge to fix it. I found it ironic that the gentleman in the service department knew exactly what I was talking about, said they the parts on hand to fix it and quoted me the exact price without even taking a breath. Seems this is a rather common occurrence with these engines. Which leads me to believe that this is some sort of manufacturing defect, and that perhaps gm/the manufacturer should be picking up the bill for this fix. The service man at the firestone store said the same thing, that this is getting to be pretty common with these cars and could recite the necessary work that needed to be done to fix it right off the top of his head. So I would like to register my complaint in hopes that something could be done to rectify the situation. The car is in the shop presently being repaired. The head gasket and manifold gaskets need to be replaced, which constitutes tearing half the engine apart. Also the oil needs to be changed a couple of times to get any coolant out of the engine, and of course the radiator needs to be flushed, cleaned and refilled. No old parts would be available as what needs to be replaced are gaskets.
1999 buick century developed a rough idle right after start up. Then check engine light comes on. *bf nar *jls the problem restricted the fuel injectors. The service engine soon light would flash and after some driving, it would reset itself and run okay until the next cold start cycle repeats itself.
Driving down road one day when car overheated. One mechanic replaced thermostat but continued to do same. Took to another facility who ran diagnostic test and was told that it was the r & r intake manifold gasket. Car is a 1999 buick century with only 46,191 miles. Have been told the cost to fix problem is approx. $700. With all of the other identical problems of other owners why hasn't something been done with this problem? Consumer should not have to foot the bill for gm's defective parts. There is obviously something wrong with the engine design. Had a buick regal before this and it is still running with over 195,000 miles. No engine cooling system problem with it.
While driving at low speeds a squeaking noise was produced.
I have a 1999 buick century , I took the vehicle to have a radiator flush and was advised that I couldn't have this job performed due to a leak or crack in the intake gasket. At this time I was very surprise to see the complaints and there is no recall. This is outrageous that no one seems to care this is a very expensive repair and should not be the responsibility of the consumer to replace. This should've been done by general motors.
Cooling system defect in 1999 buick century. Cooling system is being containminated by brown substance in system, causing the system to overheat. Reported to dealer three times. They have a tsb out on this, but no clue on what is causing this. They have inspected the vehicle three times, flushed the system, and replaced the radiator cap, but problem reccurs. Now it is going in for the fouth time. Problem was not corrected under original warranty, now the extended warranty that I purchased is about to run out, yet having the same problem. If they have a tsb out on this, why can't they fix the problem once and forever?
Consumer had difficulities trying to stop vehicle. In the process she rain into the back of another vehicle. Vehicle's brake equipment did not respond when driver depressed the brake pedal.
Leaking intake manifold gasket on 1999 buick century, 77,000 miles.
Intake gasket on my 1999 buick century with 25,000 miles on the odometer failed.
Intake manifold coolant leak caused engine failure. *ak intakes manifold gasket was replaced. Gasket now has a new part number to correct the defect on the original component, gm claim #1-180791866. Gm has recalled for coolant leak, but it was on a different model. Also, lower intake manifold gasket was leaking. Mechanic replaced the lower gasket.
While driving intake manifold leaked antifreeze. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
Vehicle started to run a little lot in october 2002. Vehicle was brought to mechanic shop since we where out of the three year warranty by about 6 months. Upon checking the contents of the radiator, a brown sludge was noted inside. Per service bulletin # 00-06-02-004 the mechanic flushed the system and replaced the radiator cap. Two weeks later, the same sludge was starting to appear in the radiator. Mechanic suggested that we bring it to the dealer since it was probably a gasket leak. Vehicle was brought to crown buick. They diagnosed the problem as a leaking lower gasket and the air was getting into the system causing the sludge. They changed the lower gasket and due to the service person quoting us a wrong price on the cost f the repair this was completed for $ two weeks later, the oil pan gasket was diagnosed as leaking. This repair cost $ it amazed us that two weeks after crown worked on our vehicle the oil pan gasket starts to leak. Both gaskets leak and cause problem within 6 month's of our year warranty expiring even though we were under the 36,000 mile warranty. It is obvious inferior workmanship on buick' s apart to have two gaskets leak and cause expensive repairs to the owner of their product. Since this was already evident due to the service bulletin being published, buick gems should have completed these repairs as warranty. Complaints filed with buick gems and no compensation was offered.
Battery went dead in car, 1999 in buick century on 11-10-03. Battery was replaced. Dual AC in vehicle then blew cold on passenger side but not the driver's side. Brought to shop. Computer was reset since vents were sticking but problem not resolved. Part replaced cost $646.07. Problem noted in tsb bulletin # 02-01-39-001. Certainly should not cost the owner of the vehicle an additional $646.00 each time the battery dies to have AC work properly. Since tsb bulletin listed the problem already, gmc buick should be accountable for inferior workmanship. * cb
Loosing coolant. No external leaks can be found. From the information I have read, we probably have an intake manifold gasket problem.
1999 buick century began using dex-cool and overheating. Also heater would blow cold indicating coolant was low. Car taken to dealer who said it was a leak in upper and lower intake gaskets. When asked why this happened they said that gm has had bad batches of gaskets and they are having to replace a lot of gaskets, even on 2003 models. I asked why they were charging me $403.66 to repair, since it is happening so much. They said that gm considers this gasket problem a "normal wear and tear" item just like belts, oil changes, ect! This should not be happening when the car only has 34,780 miles on it.
Fax fm william a. Araneo (nj) request reimbursement for repairs related to a recall of the intake manifold on his buick automobile. *mr *scc
The vehicle experienced premature failure of the intake manifold.
Intake manifold gasket has a leaking coolant. The car was stranded on the side of a busy divided four lane highway while waiting for a tow truck; twice.
Dealer replaced intake manifold gasket. Consumer stated it was premature to replace the manifold. *ak when the consumers first purchased the used vehicle, dex-cool needed to be added every 2-3,000 miles. After a year, the consumer was adding dex-cool every 2 days. Consumer then noticed pink gunk in the dex-cool. Vehicle was taken to the dealer and they couldn't determine why this happened and where it came from. They were informed the intake manifold needed to be replaced and the vehicle needed a complete flush. When the consumer received the vehicle from the dealer, they noticed a lot of pink gunk still in the reserve jug.
Cooling system full of gunk, uses dex*cool. Overheating, leaking coolant, constantly refilling. Mechanic advised dex-cool is the problem, as deteriorates gaskets. Replaced intake manifold gasket for $650. If problem continues, may need to replace head gasket as well. Problem is this is the recommended coolant for this car. Have spent much money flushing and refilling system, before finding out that the coolant is the problem.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1999 Buick Century?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history