I can't see myself doing this job these days, my mid-back rhumboid/trapezius and lower back was shrieking just looking at the rate of difficulty... however, thanks a bunch, and this engine is really worth it.
Removing the engine mounts and rocking the engine forward is one way to access the plugs on the rear bank of cylinders, but it's just as easy to remove the two bolts (front), and two nuts (rear) on the coil pack bracket, leaving the plug wires connected, if you wish (the coils are numbered), and this gives PLENTY of room to remove the plugs, without needing to strap the engine and ratchet it forward. Just did it this way 2 days ago, and it was a snap. Hope this helps someone.
@@Jack51971 Yes. Works like a charm. The whole thing simply bolts to the intake plenum. Leave your wires in place, and just unbolt the bracket, and move it forward enough to give you room to get those rear plugs out. Just remove one wire at the time, so you don't forget what goes where. Pretty easy, I think, and way better than messing with engine mounts and tie down straps !!!!!!!
The 2004 Buick Century had Iridium spark plugs here in Ontario Canada, made in Canada. I called up the GM dealer, gave the VIN # and he said; Part # 1268-1664, and that's Iridium plugs. Platinum is great too.
Thank you so much my friend you honestly saved me a huge headache, I had my boy change plugs and cables and he had installed some wires in wrong spots but once we put them in order car started working smooth, Thanks👍
Great video man, I have a similar trick ,romove the dog bone bolts, make sure they are pointed up, then sit it the drivers seat and with one leg start rocking the car back and forth and you have to time it right, watch the engine , when it rocks forward hard slam the E brake! Works Awsome! God bless you brother.
I'm old I always answer young people with a riddle..how do you get the boots to break free..I answer with( you don't pull a tooth ..you push a tooth free...shorts answer when you pull on a spark plug wire the grip is intensified but to expand the grip you push in & twist...have a bolt that don't come free just tighten the bolt then work it back & forth till she spins out
Yeah great tip with the ratchet strap. GM had pretty good luck with the 3800 series, that was a decent engine for them. My father use to build them back in the day.
Doing mine tomorrow on my 1998 Buick Century. You made that sh#t look easy as f#ck. I'm hoping my experience goes the same way. Definitely not counting on it though. If I am a success I'll be sure to come here and thank you. It was an easy to understand video.
So use a 5/8 socket to remove the spark plug ? I'm going to do my coil pack and plugs at the same time. My cars running rough. Hard start. Bad fuel. It only happened once but noticed some sparks coming from a plug on the bottom engine. Is that because it's bad? Should I also do my fuel filter at the same time ?? Thanks
You should use a spark plug socket. You may break a plug with a regular socket. If you see leaking spark, your wires are probably bad, and should visually see carbon tracking.
They are all supposed to be pre gapped, if you get the same brand, and part number that was made for the vehicle. If they are platinum, or iridium tipped, you are never supposed to touch the tip with anything. If the box was dropped, or whatever, and it changed the gap, return them for new plugs.
I couldny get the last two on the back, I could not get them damn wires off. In the driveway drenched in sweat I had to give up. Long 45 degree and hose pliers...nothing. I tried and looked for the little boot remover you have, but cant find it. Those wires are coming off this spring. One way or another.
@@RustBeltAuto I picked up a 1 owner 2003 Buick Century with 120.000 I did notice the intake gasket has been replaced along with other parts such as new battery new tire's. I replaced a,couple of window Regulators and charged the air conditioning. I believe I got a,great deal bought it for 900
@@RustBeltAuto Thank you for your information. I've owned a 1991 Park Avenue with the 3800 seemed to be a,great engine. I thought the century would have a 3800 being a Buick. It seems to be a great driving car for the money.
@@Tom-wq2mz The pricier Regal had the 3.8, the last generation Century you could only get the 3.1. In the early 90's I think you could get a 3.4 or 3.3 as well.
I just changed the wires and plugs yesterday. PITA job. Anyway I removed the coils and the module underneath the coils for access. The module has two wire harnesses that connect into the right of the module and one on the left. So I put everything back and I find a disconnected wire to the left and I cannot figure out what that connects to. Could it just be a dead wire that GM did not use that came with the whole harness? Anybody know? I do not remember disconnecting that wire. One wire connects to the oxygen sensor. One to the board as I mentioned and this other wire I I have no clue? BTW my new AC double platinum plugs had to be gapped to .60. All were way off.
There's a possibility that it may be a wire or the oil pressure it may be a sending unit down further on the Block there's your sensor on the bottom of the block above the oil pan I'll look on my car tomorrow morning when I get up see if I can find any wires like you are describing you may need to go out to the junkyard maybe you can find a car like yours out at the junkyard that may help you to figure out what's going on I do remember there being a sensor on the Block of the motor on the same side of the motor where the coil packs are go down close to the oil pan a little bit above the oil pan there is a sensor there kind of hard to find there is a sensor there I hope this helps you I work on my car tomorrow I'll try to get the color of the wire and send it to you
If you mean the spark plug boot puller, i think it is made by Lisle, and i got it off a tool truck a long time ago. A good internet search might score you one.
I would unplug the MAF, and see if the bucking/jerking goes away. It puts the car in kind of a limp mode, and disables a lot of sensors to get it to run okay. If it runs okay, it may give you a good indication that it has a sensor issue.
Any other things you would do on a tune up. Clean mass air flow or anything in the throttle body? My girlfriend raced the sh@#t out of her car and is ready for a tune up.
maf's don't usually get dirty, unless you use something other than a paper filter, or have a leak in your air box, or tube. Check filter, pcv, belts, hoses, if you want to go that far for a tune up.
Rust Belt Auto , that was the most worst video I've ever seen if you are to show someone how to work on their vehicle your Mike, or your speaker must be working properly, he was on. Tune when speaking about the car, but whence stated working on the car the more he was speaking in how to put on tithe plugs in the back I couldn't understand nothing he says and I trued to listen twice same thing or when he turn his head and showing you. I missed it. I don't even know what kind of tool to get for me to lift the motor. Up just badly caught the number order. Got to do better. Check mike ,speakers check it all before getting in u tube. I depend on that lesson.
I have a 2000 Buick Century. GM 3.1 engines have piston slap. The noise goes away once the engine warms up. The Dexcool caused problems with the intake manifold. I replaced the Dexcool with Prestone green coolant. The engine never had a problem with the intake manifold.
I can't see myself doing this job these days, my mid-back rhumboid/trapezius and lower back was shrieking just looking at the rate of difficulty... however, thanks a bunch, and this engine is really worth it.
Removing the engine mounts and rocking the engine forward is one way to access the plugs on the rear bank of cylinders, but it's just as easy to remove the two bolts (front), and two nuts (rear) on the coil pack bracket, leaving the plug wires connected, if you wish (the coils are numbered), and this gives PLENTY of room to remove the plugs, without needing to strap the engine and ratchet it forward. Just did it this way 2 days ago, and it was a snap. Hope this helps someone.
500erider this helped me thanks
@@thomaswayne5364 You got it, Thomas !!!!! Worked wonderfully for me, too. Did this job about 3 weeks ago.
? So you disconnect the coil pack and just move it out of way while leaving the wires in to see which go where? I am going to do this soon.
@@Jack51971 Yes. Works like a charm. The whole thing simply bolts to the intake plenum. Leave your wires in place, and just unbolt the bracket, and move it forward enough to give you room to get those rear plugs out. Just remove one wire at the time, so you don't forget what goes where. Pretty easy, I think, and way better than messing with engine mounts and tie down straps !!!!!!!
Hey bro just wanted to say your comment saved me a crap ton of trouble. Even 2 years later your helping ppl. Appreciate the assist! 👍
Excellent video, .it really helps to watch someone that knows what they are doing. Thank-you so much.
Thanks for the video. I now know for certain that I'm not dong this myself.
The 2004 Buick Century had Iridium spark plugs here in Ontario Canada, made in Canada. I called up the GM dealer, gave the VIN # and he said; Part # 1268-1664, and that's Iridium plugs. Platinum is great too.
Thank you so much my friend you honestly saved me a huge headache, I had my boy change plugs and cables and he had installed some wires in wrong spots but once we put them in order car started working smooth, Thanks👍
Great video man, I have a similar trick ,romove the dog bone bolts, make sure they are pointed up, then sit it the drivers seat and with one leg start rocking the car back and forth and you have to time it right, watch the engine , when it rocks forward hard slam the E brake! Works Awsome! God bless you brother.
Using the E-brake on an old piece of rot in the rust belt is usually a very bad idea.
@@RustBeltAuto I usually would agree but , mine wasn't too bad.
The racket tip was a smart move, yessir
i realize it is kind of randomly asking but do anybody know of a good site to watch newly released series online ?
@Axton Michael i watch on flixzone. You can find it on google =)
I'm old I always answer young people with a riddle..how do you get the boots to break free..I answer with( you don't pull a tooth ..you push a tooth free...shorts answer when you pull on a spark plug wire the grip is intensified but to expand the grip you push in & twist...have a bolt that don't come free just tighten the bolt then work it back & forth till she spins out
Yeah great tip with the ratchet strap. GM had pretty good luck with the 3800 series, that was a decent engine for them. My father use to build them back in the day.
Saved me so much time. Thank you
Really helpful, thanks!
Doing mine tomorrow on my 1998 Buick Century. You made that sh#t look easy as f#ck. I'm hoping my experience goes the same way. Definitely not counting on it though. If I am a success I'll be sure to come here and thank you. It was an easy to understand video.
Thanks 4 the video.
Good job that helped me.
So use a 5/8 socket to remove the spark plug ? I'm going to do my coil pack and plugs at the same time. My cars running rough. Hard start. Bad fuel. It only happened once but noticed some sparks coming from a plug on the bottom engine. Is that because it's bad? Should I also do my fuel filter at the same time ?? Thanks
You should use a spark plug socket. You may break a plug with a regular socket. If you see leaking spark, your wires are probably bad, and should visually see carbon tracking.
I’m new to this. Should I focus on doing what the mechanic was doing at the beginning of the video. I’m doing a tune up to my 2001 Buic Century rn.
New plugs and wires installed 8/20 this year. I still can't remove the boot from the plug by hand.
I usually always need a wire tool, and a prybar.
Like si tienes un Buick Century
I wish that I had watched this video before I replaced the O2 sensor. Rocking the engine forward would have made my job easy
video is messed up?
How many spark plugs in total 6 or twelve because I have a 2002 Buick century needs tune up
6
Double check the gap. Last 2 spark plug jobs I did the gaps were all off. Measurement varies on vehicle.
They are all supposed to be pre gapped, if you get the same brand, and part number that was made for the vehicle. If they are platinum, or iridium tipped, you are never supposed to touch the tip with anything. If the box was dropped, or whatever, and it changed the gap, return them for new plugs.
@@RustBeltAuto I gapped platinums for my crown Victoria with a gapper. Haven’t had any issues. I’m skilled at it.
@@mediaguy4037 just stick it in the hole.
@@RustBeltAuto it was fun.
I couldny get the last two on the back, I could not get them damn wires off. In the driveway drenched in sweat I had to give up. Long 45 degree and hose pliers...nothing. I tried and looked for the little boot remover you have, but cant find it. Those wires are coming off this spring. One way or another.
I think that tool is made by Lisle.
How well do the 3.1 Liter engines hold up. Are they dependable. Thank you
I have replaced a ton if intake gaskets on 3.1&3.4's, and a few head gaskets. Other than that, I like them just fine.
@@RustBeltAuto I picked up a 1 owner 2003 Buick Century with 120.000 I did notice the intake gasket has been replaced along with other parts such as new battery new tire's. I replaced a,couple of window Regulators and charged the air conditioning. I believe I got a,great deal bought it for 900
@@Tom-wq2mz those are decent cars.
@@RustBeltAuto Thank you for your information. I've owned a 1991 Park Avenue with the 3800 seemed to be a,great engine. I thought the century would have a 3800 being a Buick. It seems to be a great driving car for the money.
@@Tom-wq2mz The pricier Regal had the 3.8, the last generation Century you could only get the 3.1. In the early 90's I think you could get a 3.4 or 3.3 as well.
I just changed the wires and plugs yesterday. PITA job. Anyway I removed the coils and the module underneath the coils for access. The module has two wire harnesses that connect into the right of the module and one on the left. So I put everything back and I find a disconnected wire to the left and I cannot figure out what that connects to. Could it just be a dead wire that GM did not use that came with the whole harness? Anybody know? I do not remember disconnecting that wire. One wire connects to the oxygen sensor. One to the board as I mentioned and this other wire I I have no clue? BTW my new AC double platinum plugs had to be gapped to .60. All were way off.
There's a possibility that it may be a wire or the oil pressure it may be a sending unit down further on the Block there's your sensor on the bottom of the block above the oil pan I'll look on my car tomorrow morning when I get up see if I can find any wires like you are describing you may need to go out to the junkyard maybe you can find a car like yours out at the junkyard that may help you to figure out what's going on I do remember there being a sensor on the Block of the motor on the same side of the motor where the coil packs are go down close to the oil pan a little bit above the oil pan there is a sensor there kind of hard to find there is a sensor there I hope this helps you I work on my car tomorrow I'll try to get the color of the wire and send it to you
Do you more videos on that vehicle
I have worked on a ton of these in the past, but don't see many of them any more.
Don't you have to put the engine on a jack?
I do not.
The trans needs to be in neutral, right?
no
Where can I find those pliers you used?
If you mean the spark plug boot puller, i think it is made by Lisle, and i got it off a tool truck a long time ago. A good internet search might score you one.
I hat if you are hearing a humming noise when accelerating
Thanks for the help! Do you re-gap the Denso plugs to .06? Don't they come at .04?
Plugs should be pre-gapped, if you got the right ones. Best not to touch them.
I bought a 2002 it has a stop/go jerk kinda but no lights on the dash so I just had to get it I’m sure it’s a easy fix
I would unplug the MAF, and see if the bucking/jerking goes away. It puts the car in kind of a limp mode, and disables a lot of sensors to get it to run okay. If it runs okay, it may give you a good indication that it has a sensor issue.
This guys is either from Khanaaaadaaaahhhhh!!! Or Minny Sodaaaaahhhhhh!!!
Outer space.
Any other things you would do on a tune up. Clean mass air flow or anything in the throttle body? My girlfriend raced the sh@#t out of her car and is ready for a tune up.
maf's don't usually get dirty, unless you use something other than a paper filter, or have a leak in your air box, or tube. Check filter, pcv, belts, hoses, if you want to go that far for a tune up.
@@RustBeltAuto thanks man!
Fuel filter, oil change. Trans flush.
Wait so your girlfriend raced the shit out of her buick century 😂
What about the distributor cap you didn't do anything with it you should replace it you're gonna call it a tune up
There isn't one.
Nice video but failed to show where the strap was connected in front of the car.
Yo 🗣️🗣️🗣️
replace light switch in 2002 Buick century video
Air filter change
Ok I'm done bye 😆 🤣
Rust Belt Auto , that was the most worst video I've ever seen if you are to show someone how to work on their vehicle your Mike, or your speaker must be working properly, he was on. Tune when speaking about the car, but whence stated working on the car the more he was speaking in how to put on tithe plugs in the back I couldn't understand nothing he says and I trued to listen twice same thing or when he turn his head and showing you. I missed it. I don't even know what kind of tool to get for me to lift the motor. Up just badly caught the number order. Got to do better. Check mike ,speakers check it all before getting in u tube. I depend on that lesson.
I think it's you.
I had no trouble... And found the video to be very helpful
Miracle ear battery needs to be changed, I think.
So why did the engine sound awfully after your were done and did the noise go away?
I don't remember what happened yesterday.
I have a 2000 Buick Century. GM 3.1 engines have piston slap. The noise goes away once the engine warms up. The Dexcool caused problems with the intake manifold. I replaced the Dexcool with Prestone green coolant. The engine never had a problem with the intake manifold.