Buick Century discontinued fuel tank

[Roe10]

Hi,

I have a 2002 Buick Century Limited. Recently when I started it, the engine began to sputter. I was able to get it to my mechanic who said it may be a problem in the fuel line. He said that I may have to replace the fuel tank but they have discontinued it for this car. Does anyone know what tank will be compatible? Im waiting for him to get back to me now, but I thought I'd ask others for their experiences or any helpful insight.

Thank you

 

[MelsRegal]

Try a local salvage yard or car-parts.com

 

[HotZ28]

The gas tank seems to be still available (Item #22) but I doubt that is the problem! You need to explain more about what the "sputter" is? Did anyone chech the fuel pressure, or look at individual misfires on a scanner? Something is missing out on the original diagnosis.

2002 Buick Century LIMITED 4DR FUEL TANK & FILLER PIPE

Diagram of OEM FUEL TANK & FILLER PIPE. Contains 11 parts priced between $7.15 and $467.22. Fits 2002 Buick Century LIMITED 4DR.

www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com

2002 Buick Century LIMITED 4DR Tank Assembly - Fuel. TANKFUELSHELLNO - 21996603 | Wholesale Parts Online - Bob Hook Chevrolet, Louisville KY

Tank Assembly - Fuel. TANKFUELSHELLNO, SERVICABLE. 2002 Buick Century LIMITED 4DR. Genuine Buick Part - 21996603. Ships from Wholesale Parts Online - Bob Hook Chevrolet, Louisville KY

www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com

 

[LARRY70GS]

Not sure what the tank problem is, but the tank on my 98 Riv is plastic. A common problem with the Riviera tanks is the tabs for the fuel pump locking ring rot out. Then the pump pops up and you get fuel and EVAP problems.

 

[Roe10]

Try a local salvage yard or car-parts.com

I found someone via car-parts.com that maybe able to get the fuel tank. He also said that compatible ones are the Impala, Monte Carlo and Regal. Thank you for that recommendation.

 

[MelsRegal]

I found someone via car-parts.com that maybe able to get the fuel tank. He also said that compatible ones are the Impala, Monte Carlo and Regal. Thank you for that recommendation.

Did you read post 3 that says a new tank is available?

 

[Roe10]

The gas tank seems to be still available (Item #22) but I doubt that is the problem! You need to explain more about what the "sputter" is? Did anyone chech the fuel pressure, or look at individual misfires on a scanner? Something is missing out on the original diagnosis.

2002 Buick Century LIMITED 4DR FUEL TANK & FILLER PIPE

Diagram of OEM FUEL TANK & FILLER PIPE. Contains 11 parts priced between $7.15 and $467.22. Fits 2002 Buick Century LIMITED 4DR.

www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com

2002 Buick Century LIMITED 4DR Tank Assembly - Fuel. TANKFUELSHELLNO - 21996603 | Wholesale Parts Online - Bob Hook Chevrolet, Louisville KY

Tank Assembly - Fuel. TANKFUELSHELLNO, SERVICABLE. 2002 Buick Century LIMITED 4DR. Genuine Buick Part - 21996603. Ships from Wholesale Parts Online - Bob Hook Chevrolet, Louisville KY

www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com

Thanks for the links! Just wondering how come the tank is priced at $620. The guy I found from car-parts priced it at $62. Perhaps bc it is used. My mechanic said the job would be around $700 and if he had to replace the fuel pump, it would go up to about $1000. Lots of money to spend on such an old car.
A few days ago the car hesitated upon start up. When running, the engine sounded like it was struggling, perhaps not getting enough fuel to the engine. I've tried to attach a video here, but for some reason I cant. The exhaust pipe also sounded like the air coming out of it was intermittent. It also looked like water was dripping from where the muffler is. While driving it to the mechanic, when I accelerated, it sounded ok, no sputtering. When I stopped at a red light, it would start sputtering again. If I put it in "park" while waiting at the red light, it wouldnt be so bad. I might add that the gas gauge has been broken, so I wasn't sure how much gas was in the tank. I assumed about half a tank but I realized after it may be less.
When I spoke to my mechanic, he wasnt finished diagnosing the problem but said its probably in the fuel line and could be the things I mentioned above - tank, etc. He said he would also fill the tank up to rule out lack of gas.
Oh and the fuel pump did look like it may have been leaking out of the top at some point.

 

[Roe10]

Did you read post 3 that says a new tank is available?

Yes, it says that its $620 though

 

[Roe10]

Not sure what the tank problem is, but the tank on my 98 Riv is plastic. A common problem with the Riviera tanks is the tabs for the fuel pump locking ring rot out. Then the pump pops up and you get fuel and EVAP problems.

View attachment 29971

How do they fix that?

 

[MelsRegal]

Has your mechanic done a fuel pressure test rather than guessing at the cause?

 

[LARRY70GS]

How do they fix that?

There are several ways. The simplest way is to use several screws and washers to hold the fuel pump to the tank. The tank is plastic so self threading screws can hold the pump down.

What I did was better. An engineer friend of mine fabricated a ring with tabs. I screwed that to the tank using windshield urethane as a sealer between the ring and tank. Then used a new locking ring to hold the pump down as stock.

 

[Roe10]

Has your mechanic done a fuel pressure test rather than guessing at the cause?

Im not sure yet. He mentioned something about the fuel pressure regulator and to me it looked like it might have been leaking.
Im worried that this might be an expensive fix. Im not too car savvy as you may have deduced 😉

 

[MelsRegal]

Im not sure yet. He mentioned something about the fuel pressure regulator and to me it looked like it might have been leaking.
Im worried that this might be an expensive fix. Im not too car savvy as you may have deduced 😉

The mechanic has it for three days?
Is he that busy that he hasn't discovered the problem?
A leaky pressure regulator is not a big job.

 

[Roe10]

The mechanic has it for three days?
Is he that busy that he hasn't discovered the problem?
A leaky pressure regulator is not a big job.

Its not unusual for him to keep it a few days, he's always busy. Yes its frustrating bc im not used to that either.
How much does it usually cost to fix a leaky regulator or to replace a fuel tank? Also do you have any guesses as to what it might be based on my description above? If not, I totally understand it's not easy to just read something and go on that. I tried to upload video but this platform wouldn't let me.

 

[LARRY70GS]

Its not unusual for him to keep it a few days, he's always busy. Yes its frustrating bc im not used to that either.
How much does it usually cost to fix a leaky regulator or to replace a fuel tank? Also do you have any guesses as to what it might be based on my description above? If not, I totally understand it's not easy to just read something and go on that. I tried to upload video but this platform wouldn't let me.

Costs depends on the car. To replace the fuel tank in my Riviera entails dropping the entire rear suspension. That's a lot of labor, hence a lot of $$$

I'm still not clear what is actually wrong with your car. The fuel tank has nothing to do with the fuel pressure regulator.

 

[Tracykilo]

Thanks for the links! Just wondering how come the tank is priced at $620. The guy I found from car-parts priced it at $62. Perhaps bc it is used. My mechanic said the job would be around $700 and if he had to replace the fuel pump, it would go up to about $1000. Lots of money to spend on such an old car.
A few days ago the car hesitated upon start up. When running, the engine sounded like it was struggling, perhaps not getting enough fuel to the engine. I've tried to attach a video here, but for some reason I cant. The exhaust pipe also sounded like the air coming out of it was intermittent. It also looked like water was dripping from where the muffler is. While driving it to the mechanic, when I accelerated, it sounded ok, no sputtering. When I stopped at a red light, it would start sputtering again. If I put it in "park" while waiting at the red light, it wouldnt be so bad. I might add that the gas gauge has been broken, so I wasn't sure how much gas was in the tank. I assumed about half a tank but I realized after it may be less.
When I spoke to my mechanic, he wasnt finished diagnosing the problem but said its probably in the fuel line and could be the things I mentioned above - tank, etc. He said he would also fill the tank up to rule out lack of gas.
Oh and the fuel pump did look like it may have been leaking out of the top at some point.

Rockauto

 

[Tracykilo]

I found someone via car-parts.com that maybe able to get the fuel tank. He also said that compatible ones are the Impala, Monte Carlo and Regal. Thank you for that recommendation.

Rockauto

 

[HotZ28]

Why would anyone ever think that a plastic fuel tank would ever be bad?? You have other problems rather than the fuel tank! No mention of a fuel pressure test, or leak down test in this thread??

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Roe10 Last seen May 4, 2021, OP apparently has moved on