1985 Buick Century Limited

[Nick_M_51988]

hello all


i just acquired a century from my grandmother and i was wondering what kind of horsepower/ torque come from the engine? Also are there any known problems with this car and/or recalls?

thanks alot in advance
-nick

1985 Buick Century Limited
3.0 Liter V6 3-Speed
all stock :-(

[bignoisey]

According to an old Chilton's book I have, yours is a code E engine made between 1982-1985 (maybe earlier, but that's the oldest in this book). The 8th digit of your VIN should be the letter E.
This puppy has a screaming 110 HP @ 4800 RPM, 145 Ft Lbs torque @ 2600 RPM, has a 3.8" X 2.66" Bore and Stroke. It probably has one of those 2bbl computer-controlled carb's that goes tick-tick-tick all the time.
I had an '86 with a 2.8L code X engine and it had 112 HP - a little bettter than yours. But that car lasted over 250K miles and the only real problem I ever had was with the torque converter lockup which never could decide to lock up or not - So I disconnected it and it ran the last 150 K just fine.
Then we let our teenage son take it over and that was pretty much the end of it. Ended up having to donate it.
Ok, I know - TMI
If you want more info, I have the book.
Warning! --- Never let it overheat.

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How do you tell if it over heats (other than smoke etc. ) Is there a light or something? I've got an 87 and i'm kinda worried about not having a temp gage. Then again I don't have a PRNDL either. It fell back into the dash before I got it! lol -Ben

[bignoisey]

Ben-
You mean the car never had a Temp Guage or it doesn't work? They quit putting them on some cars a while back and I really hate that - Cheapskates! Instead they gave you a light. I'd like to know before it overheats that there's trouble. A light can't tell you how hot it is. If you have a light though, and have never seen it come on, you can usually if at least the bulb is working by turning on the ignition to the run position but don't start the car. Most car makers make all the indicator lights come on at this time to test for burned out bulbs. You might invest in an aftermarket temp guage.
The experience I had with my '86 was the water pump failed and I tried to drive it off the freeway even though it was getting hot so the state patrol wouldn't give me a ticket. I replaced the water pump all right then went on a trip. I didn't realize it at the time but the overheating had caused a small intake manifold gasket leak so coolant was leaking into the oil - no external leak. By the time it overheated again, I was hundreds of miles from home in Montana and had to press on. I tried some kind of leak stopper but it didn't work. By the time I got it home the crankshaft bearings were knocking. If I didn't have the guage I would have never known to add more water. But later I replaced the gaskets and the bearings and the car ended up lasting over 200K miles.

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Wow.

It never did have a temp guage. Cheepos! I have to say that I really like this car, it's just a pain to work on! My other car is a 91 Chevy Caprice with a rear wheel drive small block V8 in it. Maybe it's because it's a bigger car, or rwd but there's so much more room in there to get arround and do stuff! But, the Buick only has 70k on it and it gets really good mpg. Plus I like bench seats. Wish they still made those. I'll check the dash for a light in the ignt position. Thanks for the advice! Do you know if the later models of this car 199X are pretty much the same?

-Ben