Another new member with a 2000 Century

CorvairGeek · Aug 9, 2019

You'll probably have plenty of dye left in the oil. It goes a long, long way.
I had mentioned the liquid line in a previous post but I realized yours is actually the return line, which is better. I'm curious to see how this goes.
I might even be tempted to secure a stainless clamp around the repair for added strength.

Waiex191 · Aug 9, 2019

I had considered a hose clamp as well. I was concerned about the rest of the line though. I could always get the other half of the mop handle and put it under the clamp.

Considering how small the leak is (two days to warm air) I think I'll let it ride.

Waiex191 · Aug 9, 2019

System charged again, fingers crossed.

Waiex191 · Aug 13, 2019

Almost 96 hours later, the air is still coming out at 43F.

Waiex191 · Aug 16, 2019

I just pulled down 20.4 MPG. Air still works. Monday the kid starts driving it to the local community college.

Waiex191 · Sep 8, 2019

We just pulled down 24.5 MPG. I'm very pleased. We have a persistent P0440 code for evaporative emissions. The vapor lines are very rusty, as is the fuel fill tube. I think we will change them out in the next couple of weeks. Matthew would like to see the SES light stay off in his car.

Edit: I wrote 34.5 first time. That is a Saturn fuel economy number! Still pleased with 24.5, and the air still works.

Waiex191 · Sep 13, 2019

After having the car a couple months and 1000+ miles, I put $330 worth of tires on it and a $93 alignment. I didn't want to invest before the car proved itself.

The car drives awesome now. No shake, no pull, it just cruises straight. I love getting new tires.

Waiex191 · Oct 13, 2019

Just did the first long trip in the car. We pulled down 30 MPG with mostly highway driving. I'm very pleased.

Waiex191 · Dec 15, 2019

Just did the next really long trip in the car to Tennessee. First tank was 29 MPG. Then we got a high idle. Next a cylinder 3 misfire bad, that pulled us back to 23 MPG and low power. Finally something happened in the right rear brake drum, it is making a bad noise. I guess they are right, things do come in threes.

Waiex191 · Dec 16, 2019

Coil for #3 and #6 cylinders had an open primary. Seems hopeful.

Waiex191 · Dec 17, 2019

My cylinder 3 misfire went away with the new coils for about 2 minutes. Bummer.

What does a bad rear wheel bearing sound like?

Frisbee · Dec 17, 2019

Waiex191 said:
What does a bad rear wheel bearing sound like?

For me, diagnosing on a relative's 2004 Buick Century, it was like a low-frequency, "throaty", whirring sound -- almost but not quite what one might call a very weak "grinding" noise. On the road, the source was difficult to pinpoint by the sound alone. It seemed to come from the rear but was not distinctly louder on one side, even in left-hand or right-hand curves. Eventually, my hand gripping each rear wheel's coil spring (advice that, IIRC, I read on this forum) while hand-spinning the wheel made it clear -- I could feel a very slight "grinding" feel, through the spring, on the bad hub's wheel.

P.S. This is my chance to finally say how impressed I am with what you and your sons have done! Nice work, gentlemen!!!

Waiex191 · Dec 17, 2019

We discovered that a rock or something hit the rear inner fenderwell, and a hunk of it was rubbing on the wheel. Easy fix!

Thanks Frisbee for the positive feedback!

Waiex191 · Dec 17, 2019

I think I've found our #3 plug spark issue. The wires were burned on the EGR pipe.

Waiex191 · Dec 18, 2019

New wires in, car is running well again. As far as I can tell, the coil failed then when we put the new coils in we laid the wires against the EGR pipe. A new TPS fixed the high idle.

Next time I'll schedule these issues when we are not on a 10 hour ride away from home.

Waiex191 · Dec 20, 2019

Made it back. 700 miles, 75 MPH, 28 MPG, no issues.

Beta Mace · Jul 28, 2020

Waiex191 said:
Here are my junkyard steelies on the back. They fixed my vibe issue.
View attachment 16745

I just recorded 21.5 MPG on my fillup. This was the first one where I could calculate MPG. Does that seem good for a 2000 Century? Some of those miles were driven by my oldest, and I know he was lead footing it. My Saturn pulls down about 30 on my commute during the summer months.

Sounds about normal if you are driving around town. One winter I drove my '2000 Century 3.1 from Pittsburgh to Atlanta and back and averaged 32 mpg. Pure magic at continuous highway speeds. Got to be the shape of the car because I hardly get 20 mpg in stop 'n go traffic.

Wiscobuick87 · Jul 31, 2020

I got high 20's and low 30's all day in my 98, this one only sees short trips right now so its around 24-25

Waiex191 · Oct 4, 2020

I've been discussing where to find a rear bumper support on this thread:

Rear bumper support

Hey all, I'm looking for a rear bumper support for my 2000 Century. P/N is GM1106540. Looking online the price and availability for new parts is all over the place. Anybody have a good recommendation for a southern or desert area junkyard with a good online business that will quote and ship...

buickforums.com

Figured I'd move back to my normal thread with updates. I've painted my junkyard part. I had lots of orange spray bombs around.

I've pulled the Buick into the hangar and will start removing the old one. Plus I'll be installing a hitch. A friend is giving me a catamaran but I have to go to Florida to get it - about 2800 miles round trip. I'd rather take the 30 mpg Century than the 11 MPG truck.