If your Buick Century is overheating, it might be because of a faulty water pump. Replacing the water pump is not difficult, and it will only take about an hour. You can complete the project in your driveway, so there is no need to take the car to a garage.
Make sure the engine is cool before you start. Disconnect the negative battery cable using a wrench. Drain the engine coolant by opening the valve on the bottom of the radiator and draining it into the drain pan.
Remove the drive belt guard (if you have one) by using a wrench to remove the bolts. Loosen the water pump pulley bolts with a wrench but do not remove them yet. Lift the belt from the water pump pulley.
Finish removing the bolts from the water pump pulley and take the pulley off the pump. Remove the mounting bolts from the water pump with a socket and ratchet. Pull the water pump away from the engine block. Scrape any remaining gasket material away with the scraper.
Place a new gasket and water pump on the engine block and tighten the bolts with the socket and ratchet. Place the water pump pulley on the pump and loosely install the bolts. Place the drive belt on the water pump pulley.
Tighten the bolts on the water pump pulley with the wrench. Install the belt guard and tighten the bolts with a wrench if you took one off. Refill the cooling system with coolant through the radiator and the reservoir. Connect the battery cable and start the Buick. Check around the water pump for leaks.
