Buick 3800 Bearings or Lifter or Rod Knocking with Valve Covers Off

Here is a longer video of the 1990 Buick Lesabre with major engine trouble. Hopefully this can be of use if someone can definatively identify the issue so that others who have a similar situation know what is going on with their engine. As for me, I know this engine is trashed. A new one will be arriving soon for the amount of $150 :)

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• buick
• 3800
• car
• auto
• engine
• motor
• spun
• bearing
• collapsed
• lifter
• help
• troubleshoot
• rod
• knock

[rickcrouch]

maybe try putting some oil in it. Or maybe your oil pump is rooted. Anyway what came of this problem zcomputerwiz??

[zcomputerwiz]

@rickcrouch I think it was run low on oil, the number one piston was starting to weld on the cylinder wall and had wrecked the top end of the rod.

[Graphiic1]

What could it be if the car does not start at all and does not make any sound. other than the BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, STARTER and someone told me it could be some shit called a NEUTRAL SWITCH?

[zcomputerwiz]

@Graphiic1 There is a park/neutral safety switch, it will not allow the vehicle to start if it thinks the transmission is not in park or neutral. That switch is under the shifter cable bracket on the transmission. I don't remember if the connector is round or square, but it should be easy to see. You might have to remove the shift bracket and a few bolts to get the switch out. You could test the switch with a ohmmeter if you know the pinouts, a mechanic friend could get those for you :)

[ApocalypsesDawn]

the problem is its a GM

[zcomputerwiz]

@ApocalypsesDawn So obviously a [insert make here] would never fail like this when run out of oil?

Nonsense.

[Wallabydam]

anyone else NOT see any oil coming off those rockers and seeing  them change in lift height???

[djesh03]

ok now i have a 95 g20 van....4.3 v6....i have metal shavings in my oil....when i start up sounds ok....but soon as i hit the gas.....deep knocking....n when warmed up ...tends to stall out.....im at a loss here....anyone help?

[Jshayne1000]

@ApocalypsesDawn suck my cock, 2 time! my monte carlo could kick what ever you drive's ass! GM all the way!

[birddogg1998]

With that much blowby thats a busted or cracked piston compression blowing by the rings causing the smoke.

[safani]

I had this problem, it was the harmonic balancer that ripped apart and was making that noise. Had nothing to do with your engine rods. I got a quick HB from the junkyard until I can get a new one. They cost around $100.

[1997RegalGS]

Sad to see such a beautiful car like this has a so big problem.

[EYEMCANADIAN]

thats exactly what my car was doing. i think my car is done

[yamahonkawazuki]

@Wallabydam saw SOME oil but really didnt look like enough at all

[beardizzle109]

see if ur push rods r bent, check ur spark plugs it mite need new ones, umm see if one of the push rods has slight play in it mine hes the same promblem that me and my dad is tryin to figure out it a 79 buick regal