NEED HELP 2000 century custom

[mike nich]

hello all, got a 2000 century custom 3.1 v6 , slow acceleration, spits a little, no power on take off. (Never been any trouble for me at all) it threw a code for the intake air sensor, replaced it, erased the code (no change), then a couple days later a code P 0172 mass air flow replaced it, erased code (no change) but reading on the p0172 code said also it could be the Heated O2 sensor
bank 1, so i change it today, (no change). i changed plugs, wires, and stuff 2 years ago. Thought the fuel pump might be getting weak (100,000 miles) changed it, (no change). All this seem to start after a minor service last week, oil and filter, air filter, trans fluid with filter, I am pulling my hair out now trying to figure out why all of a sudden it is real sluggish on acceleration, do not see any signs of a fuel leak, do not smell anything, this has always been a dependable car so it is driving mw CRAZY. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Mike

 

[Buickguy123]

hello all, got a 2000 century custom 3.1 v6 , slow acceleration, spits a little, no power on take off. (Never been any trouble for me at all) it threw a code for the intake air sensor, replaced it, erased the code (no change), then a couple days later a code P 0172 mass air flow replaced it, erased code (no change) but reading on the p0172 code said also it could be the Heated O2 sensor
bank 1, so i change it today, (no change). i changed plugs, wires, and stuff 2 years ago. Thought the fuel pump might be getting weak (100,000 miles) changed it, (no change). All this seem to start after a minor service last week, oil and filter, air filter, trans fluid with filter, I am pulling my hair out now trying to figure out why all of a sudden it is real sluggish on acceleration, do not see any signs of a fuel leak, do not smell anything, this has always been a dependable car so it is driving mw CRAZY. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Mike

Have you changed the fuel filter as of late? That little bigger could be partially clogged. I had this on a 96 Lumina 3.1 also made in Oshawa like our Century. Ended up costing me $511 bucks when I decided to change it..

 

[Buickguy123]

hello all, got a 2000 century custom 3.1 v6 , slow acceleration, spits a little, no power on take off. (Never been any trouble for me at all) it threw a code for the intake air sensor, replaced it, erased the code (no change), then a couple days later a code P 0172 mass air flow replaced it, erased code (no change) but reading on the p0172 code said also it could be the Heated O2 sensor
bank 1, so i change it today, (no change). i changed plugs, wires, and stuff 2 years ago. Thought the fuel pump might be getting weak (100,000 miles) changed it, (no change). All this seem to start after a minor service last week, oil and filter, air filter, trans fluid with filter, I am pulling my hair out now trying to figure out why all of a sudden it is real sluggish on acceleration, do not see any signs of a fuel leak, do not smell anything, this has always been a dependable car so it is driving mw CRAZY. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Mike

Did you change the transmission fluid and filter yourself? Is it throwing a transmission code? Is the car jerking or buckling? You know our 3.1 Century is a rather gutless car at just 185 HP. Was the correct ATF fluid used? Changing the oil unless too much was put in or an air filter should cause no pain. Messing with the transmission can...If not done right. Was it flushed or just a pan drop fluid filter exchange?

 

[mike nich]

Did you change the transmission fluid and filter yourself? Is it throwing a transmission code? Is the car jerking or buckling? You know our 3.1 Century is a rather gutless car at just 185 HP. Was the correct ATF fluid used? Changing the oil unless too much was put in or an air filter should cause no pain. Messing with the transmission can...If not done right. Was it flushed or just a pan drop fluid filter exchange?

yes, I did it myself (I work on all my vehicles) pan drop with filter, Dextron fluid, reads correctly when warm, in neutral, not jerking just no get up and go, if I pedal it a few times it will pick up for a little bit but falls right back to being really sluggish. This car has always had some get up but just recently it has these problems. Just getting flustered that I cannot find the problem. do not really want to throw to much more $ at it already a few hundred in chasing this problem.

Thanks

 

[Buickguy123]

yes, I did it myself (I work on all my vehicles) pan drop with filter, Dextron fluid, reads correctly when warm, in neutral, not jerking just no get up and go, if I pedal it a few times it will pick up for a little bit but falls right back to being really sluggish. This car has always had some get up but just recently it has these problems. Just getting flustered that I cannot find the problem. do not really want to throw to much more $ at it already a few hundred in chasing this problem.

Thanks

You changed the fuel filter?

 

[mike nich]

Have you changed the fuel filter as of late? That little bigger could be partially clogged. I had this on a 96 Lumina 3.1 also made in Oshawa like our Century. Ended up costing me $511 bucks when I decided to change it..

did not know it has a fuel filter, thought it only had the strainer on the in-tank pump, does it have another that I do not know about? the guys at the parts store said it does not have one, only the strainer on the fuel pump itself.

Thanks

 

[Buickguy123]

did not know it has a fuel filter, thought it only had the strainer on the in-tank pump, does it have another that I do not know about? the guys at the parts store said it does not have one, only the strainer on the fuel pump itself.

Thanks

It is located in the fuel line under where the driver door and passenger door meet. About $12. Easy replacement but fuel be careful. Lots of YouTube videos how to change it.

 

[mike nich]

It is located in the fuel line under where the driver door and passenger door meet. About $12. Easy replacement but fuel be careful. Lots of YouTube videos how to change it.

Thanks, will check it out

 

[mike nich]

Thanks, will check it out

yup it is there, will change tomorrow, Thanks

 

[chem_man]

While you are at it check the fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line off of it and see if gasoline flows out of either the vacuum line or the fuel pressure regulator itself.

The P0172 code is telling you that the engine is running rich - in other words, it is getting too much fuel.

Good Luck!

 

[MelsRegal]

Have you done a fuel pressure test not to determine pump output but to determine if you have leaky injectors?
The line pressure should hold after you turn off the engine.

 

[mike nich]

While you are at it check the fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line off of it and see if gasoline flows out of either the vacuum line or the fuel pressure regulator itself.

The P0172 code is telling you that the engine is running rich - in other words, it is getting too much fuel.

Good Luck!

can you tell me where that is located? or maybe a pic or screen shot?

Thanks

 

[mike nich]

Have you done a fuel pressure test not to determine pump output but to determine if you have leaky injectors?
The line pressure should hold after you turn off the engine.

do not have gauges for that. unless there is another way to do it.

Thanks

 

[mike nich]

It is located in the fuel line under where the driver door and passenger door meet. About $12. Easy replacement but fuel be careful. Lots of YouTube videos how to change it.

changed it just now, better but still a little slow and sluggish on acceleration, maybe after i drive it some more tomorrow, we will see.

Thanks

 

[MelsRegal]

do not have gauges for that. unless there is another way to do it.

Thanks

Rent the gauge

 

[mike nich]

can you tell me where that is located? or maybe a pic or screen shot?

Thanks

found it on u tube, thanks will check it and the fuel pressure tomorrow.

Thanks

 

[mike nich]

Rent the gauge

will do tomorrow, Thanks

 

[mike nich]

While you are at it check the fuel pressure regulator. Pull the vacuum line off of it and see if gasoline flows out of either the vacuum line or the fuel pressure regulator itself.

The P0172 code is telling you that the engine is running rich - in other words, it is getting too much fuel.

Good Luck!

no fuel from line or regulator, will check fuel pressure tomorrow.
Thanks

 

[mike nich]

Rent the gauge

no fuel out of line or regulator, will check fuel pressure tomorrow.

Thanks

 

[mike nich]

Rent the gauge

when i check the fuel pressure do i need to start it or just key on? let it stand on the gauge for how long to see if it drops? what is good pressure?

Thanks