Buick 3800 Engine Trouble: Rod Knock - bad Wrist Pin & Piston (not Lifters or Bearings)

Buick 3800 with rod knock. The problem is on the rod end with the wrist pin and piston.

Upon tear down, no additional problems were found.
Suspected cause is oil starvation or overheating.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• bearing
• spun
• buick
• 3800
• 3.8L
• v6
• engine
• broken
• trouble
• rod
• knock
• valves
• rattle
• clack
• sound
• help
• troubleshoot
• car
• lifter
• collapsed
• flex
• plate
• wrist
• pin

[martinfernandonhs93]

Mine has the same thing. It's a '93 Olds Eighty-Eight Royale. So, do I have to replace the engine completely or how can I fix it. A tutorial video would be nice because I don't want to lose my valuable engine. Please respond ASAP because I don't have much time

[zcomputerwiz]

@martinfernandonhs93 Definitely replace the motor. This kind of thing usually damages the cylinder, valves, crank, and other components. A new or used engine is the way to go.

[CODxFUNxMAN]

oh man....i have a 91 lesabre custom with 62k miles on the engine...i was having small issues with the tranny when i shift from park to Drive it give a hard punch ...but when i saw that i was super low on trany oil the problem stopped. but my car does teh putter form the muffler,,,i dont hear a knock...i dont think i did anything that serious...please help? i might do a video tomorrow.

[zcomputerwiz]

@CODxFUNxMAN is the Check Engine Light or Service Engine Soon Light on?

The symptoms you describe sounds like engine misfire.

This can be caused by several things, first check your spark plugs.

Next, check your Ignition Control Module & coils, it is the big brick on the engine near the battery. Your local parts store can test these modules.

If that is not the problem it may be the Engine Control Module. I have a video of that kind of problem in the same type of car (ECM failure symptoms).

[niclovesslipknot]

i have a similar problem with my buik 3800 in my 93 holden vr commodore. i have rebuilt the engine twice but i havent touched the lifters or injectors i have even gone to the trouble of having it professionly blue printed but the noise is still there just a little quieter. wen i first got the engine you could only hear it if u were out of the car and now i need to open the bonnet to hear it any ideas. oh and i got another engine the same type but it makes a knocking sound for about 15 seconds

[zcomputerwiz]

@niclovesslipknot If it is more of a 'click' sound rather than the kind of noise in the video it is most likely lifter tick. My 1991 has lifter tick, it is most obvious on the first start of the day. After the engine is warm the noise becomes so quiet I have to open the hood to hear it. To quiet this kind of noise, try adding some Marvel Mystery Oil, it is thinner than other oils and helps get to the tight spots. Let me know if that helps, it worked well for my 93 3.1 Regal.

[JDMGTP]

yeah dude it's pretty sad to see people still playing the whole GM vs. Ford B.S. They should be more concerned with domestic vs. imports

[zcomputerwiz]

@Wrechedsubst Been there, done that. Mercury, Ford, Lincoln, Plymouth, Buick, Chevy, GMC, Cadillac; had big problems with every one of them. I keep the Buicks because they are the cheapest to fix and get OK mileage.

This one was free, had the problem before I got to it - sent to salvage yard.

I haven't found a vehicle that won't have some serious stuff happen when you run it out of oil.

I've seen lemons of every brand and no machine is invincible.

[chamblizi]

@martinfernandonhs93 if i here my pistons slapping and it was concidered normal then its time to change makes and mechanics lol and i am my own mechanic never heard a piston slap GM is known for coolant problems ford is known for bad power steering systems.

[chamblizi]

sound like it you have no motor oil ~,~ poor lubrication to the lifters i had ran out of oil before and this tapping sound could be cause by no oil lubrication

[RealCadde]

*Knock knock* !

-Who's there?

It's me, Mr Piston!

[daand12]

My parents had a knock in a brand new Mercedes Vito engine was driven about 200km. New engine has ben put in under warranty. There was also metal Shavings in the oil.

[martinfernandonhs93]

@tuffy2542183 I know they leak oil, but they can withstand a considerable amount of neglect and still run. I blew a head gasket due to clogged water jackets and got piston slap and it's normal for all GM engines. These engines also get great gas mileage (city+highway) FYI!

[CODxFUNxMAN]

hey man, you were a great help last time, now i have a new problem. I replaced the coil pack and ECM including MANY other engine parts before and it worked for a day then it still had a hard time starting poor idle etc. the problem was the itming chain, my cam magnet had fallen off and the chain was streatched.. i replaced it put everythign back together but the sealant on the timing cover leaked and now i have SOME coolant in my oill.ANY ADVICE, i really need to fix b4 snow comes, thanks!

[tuffy2542183]

The 3800 gm is probably one of the most over rated engines....i have yet to see one that didnt leak oil...not to mention the transmissions that they are matted to are complete junk

[Skandalos]

Is it knocking at engine speed or half engine speed? whats the idle rpm in this video?

I got a similar knock at half engine speed on a BMW E46 4cyl diesel and no idea yet whats the cause.

[Maxwellhouse66]

friend bought a Transport with a knock kinda like that,but quieted down when revved up......found out it had 1 bolt holding the torque converter to the flex plate.

[perry244]

same promble with 1989 buick riveria, im preaty shure its the harmonic balancer