The 1982 Buick Century is an A-body GM front-driver that's mechanically simple but plagued by age-related powertrain issues. The 2.8L V6 is the most reliable choice; avoid the 4.3L diesel like the plague, and the Iron Duke 4-cylinder is gutless but durable if already healthy.
263ci V6 Diesel Engine Catastrophic Failure
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: white smoke from exhaust, hard starting when warm, loss of power, metal shavings in oil, sudden loss of compression
Fix: GM's 4.3L diesel shares architecture with the gas V6 but uses inadequate head bolts and has poor block casting. Heads lift, gaskets blow, and blocks crack. Most require complete engine replacement or conversion to gas V6. Labor 12-16 hours for swap.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000
Intake Manifold Gasket Failure (173ci V6)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant loss with no external leak, white residue in oil, rough idle when cold, overheating under load
Fix: The 2.8L V6 uses paper-composition intake gaskets that deteriorate and allow coolant into the crankcase or cause vacuum leaks. Requires intake removal, gasket set, and thorough cleanup. Budget 4-5 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Carburetor Rochester E2SE Problems (All Gas Engines)
Common · medium severitySymptoms: stalling when cold, high idle that won't drop, black smoke under acceleration, stumble off idle, poor fuel economy
Fix: The computer-controlled Rochester carb uses fragile plastic parts, worn throttle shafts, and vacuum leaks from hardened diaphragms. Rebuilds rarely last. Best fix is professional rebuild with upgraded parts or Weber conversion. Rebuild labor 2-3 hours.
Estimated cost: $350-650
THM125C Transmission Converter Clutch Failure
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: shudder at 40-45 mph during light throttle, Check Engine light with code 24 or 26, transmission slipping in 3rd gear, no lockup on highway
Fix: The 3-speed automatic's torque converter lockup clutch wears out or the solenoid fails. Often accompanied by worn transmission mounts causing vibration. Requires transmission removal, converter replacement. 8-10 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
Valve Lifter Collapse (173ci V6)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: ticking or tapping from engine, noise increases with RPM, rough running, misfire on one or more cylinders
Fix: Hydraulic lifters wear or collapse due to oil sludge buildup or lack of maintenance. Requires intake manifold removal, rocker arm disassembly, and lifter replacement. Can damage cam lobes if run too long. 6-8 hours labor for all lifters.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Freeze Plug Rust-Through
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: coolant dripping from side of engine block, coolant loss without visible leak up top, small puddle under car after sitting
Fix: These Rust Belt cars have corroded freeze plugs, especially rear bank on V6. Accessible ones are 1 hour each; rear plugs may require engine/transmission movement or full removal. Most techs replace all accessible plugs once one fails. 3-8 hours depending on location.
Estimated cost: $250-900
Steering Rack Leakage
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: power steering fluid on ground, groaning when turning at low speed, stiff steering when cold, fluid level drops weekly
Fix: Saginaw rack-and-pinion develops leaks at internal seals or hose connections. Rebuilds available but often not cost-effective on 40-year-old cores. Replacement rack plus flush and bleed, 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-750
Buy only a gas V6 example with service records; walk away from diesels and project cars—these are too old to gamble on unknown maintenance history.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.