# 2003 Buick Century - Two big issues

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-buick-century-two-big-issues/188468>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** buick\
**Created:** [January 13, 2023, 9:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-buick-century-two-big-issues/188468 "2023-01-13T09:49:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![John.Hyche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@John.Hyche](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John.Hyche)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 9:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-buick-century-two-big-issues/188468/1 "2023-01-13T09:49:55Z")

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Overheating while idling. Slipping transmission when it gets hot.

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-buick-century-two-big-issues/188468/2 "2023-01-13T12:47:00Z")

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Twenty year old car. I suspect a lot of preventative maintenance was delayed or not performed.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 10:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2003-buick-century-two-big-issues/188468/3 "2023-01-13T22:24:51Z")

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> [@John.Hyche](#):
>
> Overheating while idling.

Make sure the engine compartment fans are turning on, and at the correct temperature. In meantime, monitor the coolant temp gauge carefully. You definitely don’t want to allow the engine to seriously overheat. Sometimes turning the heater to MAX will provide add’l engine cooling, as a temporary work-a-round.

> [@John.Hyche](#):
>
> Slipping transmission when it gets hot.

Asking for a diagnosis from a local well-recommended transmission specialist is your best bet. I expect this is worn clutches, & will eventually require the transmission be rebuilt. Ask your trans expert if replacing the transmission fluid might buy you some time.