Cutlass Knock - Fun stuff.

[GP1138]

 

Backstory - yeah, pretty much my fault. I couldn't hear lifters ticking in the engine when the oil got low enough (typical 3.4L oil pump drive seal leak) that the lifters ticked, so the other day I sent Carri to get oil while I was at work, but ice storm got so bad she just had to go home.

 

So the next day (Christmas Eve) I stop and put some oil in, and then halfway to her parents' house, this starts very softly, and then after the party it idled smooth with no noise. Then this morning going to my parents' house it just started to do it much louder.

 

This is our only running vehicle (Ken is coming to help revive the Malibu around New Year's but until then...) so I have to drive it. I'm just guessing it's going to grenade soon, but I don't know. I figure I'll end up having to put an engine in it, which is alright, I know I can get a decent engine (maybe 3400 or 3800) for $200 or so, but it's just a matter of installing it...

 

I have been thinking rod bearing?? Let's hear your guess!

[BXX]

Yup, that is without a doubt, rod knock. Suck to hear man, but waiting until the lifters to make noise to tell you to add oil isnt a smart idea as when they start ticking like that, you are doing internal damage.

 

Just put another LQ1 in it. Honestly, the more I look into the LQ1, the more i realize that its an engine I without a doubt wanna starts playing with. Hell, its what will be going in my TGP with a different intake mainifold of course

[White93z34]

Game Over.

 

Welcome to the blown up engine crew

 

Quite frankly waiting till the lifters starting making noise before adding oil was just asking for it.

 

Be a EASY swap out though, if you had another engine lined up and a warm weekend it could be back on the road by Monday, having started work on a Saturday.

 

I wish I had a spare LQ1 for you, however with me fixing the Euro it is now spoken for.

[GP1138]

Oh I know it's my fault... I should have been more on top of the oil level. At least this gives me a chance to get ahold of an engine and fix it a little. Once we get the Malibu running we'll be fine with transportation. I'm contemplating what to do. I might just yank this engine out and toss it, and buy another, throw it on a stand, and fix it up.

 

Don't know. It has to make it another few days till when Ken comes and we can fix the Malibu.

[Psych0matt]

Mine starts ticking like every third week. Add a quart of oil, noise goes away, no problem. I cant watch the vid right now, but maybe I've just had good luck

[MonteCarloChick]

Oh my god.. that's the worst sound I've ever heard

 

 

Good luck John

[ManicMechanic]

Unless you get lucky and it's a cam gear or flexplate...

[1990lumina]

Holy shit that's a terrible sound

 

 

[Euro]

Wow, that sounded about as bad as mine did. Sucks John But hah...welcome to the blown motor club!!!

[GP1138]

Thanks guys. I know it's totally my fault but I know she'll come back, or I'll get another car. I'm cooking up a few plans.

[5speedz34]

I will read this in a second.

 

I had something similar happen to the GP, I pulled this out of the block.

 

I changed the oil and I've always used Amsoil, it stopped doing it now, lol.

[Olds W31]

Um...the noise on the vid seems to be upper end, like under the valve covers...maybe that is just an effect of the mic compression.

 

Rod knock will be even, constant, and comes from the bottom. If I didn't know better (and I have NEVER worked on a 3.4DOHC, so I don't have specific knowledge...but I have a LOT of general when it comes to blowing up stuff and having to fix it), I would say you have something in the upper end loose. I know that there are no rocker arms, but that is what it would sound like if you had one come off. Are there not some sort of follower that the cam lobes ride against to operate the valves? If you flatten a lobe on a cam and provide ALOT of clearance between the lobe and the follower/valve tip it could sound like that....

 

I think you need to pull the front valve cover off and look around for loose stuff. If you don't want to do that, if you have a peice of PVC pipe so that you can use that as a "stethescope" to help pinpoint the source of the noise, that might help in the diagnosis.

 

Sorry it happened....

[White93z34]

eeeeeeh It sounds like just about every front drive GM that has a spun bearing, that I have personally heard. In fact it sounds exactly like my 3.4L in my z34 right now

[no1kicker]

Maybe some thicker weight oil for now?

[AWeb80]

wow that sounds horrible.

 

 

but very inconsistent....too bad you weren't closer, I'd pay you scrap money for the motor.....and I'd tear it apart and make stuff out of it....

 

I'd give you at least $100

[TurboSedan]

100$ says bad rod bearing. that is no valvetrain noise! swap a 3400 in that thing.

[Guest GrandPrixlover1]

100$ says bad rod bearing. that is no valvetrain noise! swap a 3400 in that thing.

 

And then get the UIM ported and headers for it and you're good to go!

[w-bodys_are_the_best]

I just listened to it, sounds identical to my 91 International 5 speed, mmmmmmmmmm rod knock, merry christmas to you huh?

[GOT2B GM]

knock, knock, who's there? LQ1.

 

I have a spare LQ1 , but I'm a tad far away.

 

For simplicity, just swap another LQ1 in.

[Lumineer]

*shudders*

 

That's a disgusting sound. Sorry to hear about the engine either way. As mentioned, swapping in another LQ1 would be the easiest way to go.

[theghoul]

My heart hurt hearing that.

[mfewtrail]

It sounds like rod bearing to me as well.

[w-bodys_are_the_best]

Welcome to the elite rod knock club.

[GP1138]

She's dead. Took her to put some Rislone in (like IronDogg suggested in another thread) and she refuses to even crank now.

[me=CS1138]plays Taps on bugle.[/me]

 

She's stuck in the Autozone parking lot. Not too far from home but not sure how I'll get her home.

[AWeb80]

dang man