02 Buick

[flagmanruss]

Dear Daughter got her elderly (& somewhat eccentric) Aunt's 02 Buick Century last night. The car is not at hand. The car has been losing coolant for a year or so. The coolant loss must be external as no sign of oil contamination. Aunt mumbled something about a "head gasket" but has also said "manifold". Aunt really doesn't remember well & wouldn't recognize anything under the hood anyway. (Hope I'm doing this well at 87!) Daughter noted the heater barely put out anything on low & moved cold air on high. Temp guage showed mid-range when wife drove the car. I know the first thing is to find & fix the coolant leak. I Googled it & found a TSB for failed intake manifold gaskets. Apparently the new antifreeze was not compatible with the original gasket material. Re-engineered gaskets are availible. The TSB also indicates new bolts with thread locker (Loc Tite) to avoid bolts backing out.I wonder if the original bolts could be reused with added LocTite or if these are stretch bolts? What about the heat?

[Mopar1973Man]

Well if it leaking coolant I would get a coolant system testing and pressurize the system cold and wait. Then in a little time the leak will show up and you'll be able to see it.As for the heater you might have to reverse flush it out.

[Guest Johnson]

I need to replace the FSU on my 02 Century, but I'm not sure where it is. I've heard that they are under the rear seat or under the floor of the trunk. Anyone know where it is in the Century?

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