Bought Myself a Lemon

Car sounded great when I went to look at it.

Got it home and there was distinct but very mild knocking noise especially if you hit the gas a little, someone unfamiliar with this engine may not even have noticed it. Changed the oil and spark plugs, knocking noise is now gone apparently becsue it was cold. Took it for ride downtown and got on the gas coming back up the hill, knocking noise is now very loud.

After little research I find this might be caused by harmonic balancer. Did the diagnosing as suggested and still knocking. Decided since this should be pretty easy to get off I was going to remove it entirely to eliminate it as the issue. The "internets" tells me this may come right off or need a puller. The oil filter is right in the way to try and pry it off so I take that off..... Then the nightmare begins, lot of fine metal particles and a few chunks.....

Car has 114K on it but it's in phenomenal shape otherwise, there is not bit of rust on it. I'm not even going to bother trying to fix this engine, I'm getting another engine. Found one for $450 with 15K on it. Same year, same car.

The other thing is I don't know who was working on this car but I'd probably strangle them if they were in front of me. This car was in minor accident with curb stone, both rims on the one side have a little bend on the outside like someone parked a little too close. The guy told me they had replaced the tie rods, I don't see any indication they were replaced. What I do see is one new bolt on the sway bar. Problem is they damaged the CV boot doing whatever work they were doing, there was indentation on the clamp and small hole right next to it, had a wheelwell full of grease when I got it home. The sway bar itself was cracked and it's not something they could have missed because it's right where the hole is for the bolt.

I'd love to see the invoice for what they charged them for. I'm going to call this guy and tell him what's going on but doubt I'll get anything for it.

Hmmmm, well that all sux!

Traded rust for junk engine, not sure what is worse. Bright side is least I can deal with this, can't fix rust.

The way I'm looking at is I'm going to have really good car when it's all said and done. I realize it's not great comparison but this car if it had 15K on it is worth about 9 to 10K. I'm going to be a little over $5K into it plus time..... That includes new struts all the way around I already bought, new muffler, new sway bar, the engine and a spare set of spark plugs/wires. I'm also going to be able to get everything painted where it needs it underneath, maybe some undercoating etc. There is couple of minor spots all where the frame mounts. Can't really get to them without the engine out. I plan I keeping it for long time, should be good for decade as long as the paint doesn't fall off.

I'm also going to cannibalize what I can so I'll have bunch of spare parts for it too.

Here's some pics. That's only what came out of the filter, I didn't even drain the pan yet. It's non magnetic, bearing presumably?

Likely a spun bearing. Usually happens on a 3.8 after being run with a leaking intake gasket and coolant in the oil.

What pray tell is this mystery beast? Ya post pics of her privates and nothing of her gentle curves......

Richard S. wrote:Car sounded great when I went to look at it.

Got it home and there was distinct but very mild knocking noise especially if you hit the gas a little, someone unfamiliar with this engine may not even have noticed it. Changed the oil and spark plugs, knocking noise is now gone apparently becsue it was cold. Took it for ride downtown and got on the gas coming back up the hill, knocking noise is now very loud.

After little research I find this might be caused by harmonic balancer. Did the diagnosing as suggested and still knocking. Decided since this should be pretty easy to get off I was going to remove it entirely to eliminate it as the issue. The "internets" tells me this may come right off or need a puller. The oil filter is right in the way to try and pry it off so I take that off..... Then the nightmare begins, lot of fine metal particles and a few chunks.....

Car has 114K on it but it's in phenomenal shape otherwise, there is not bit of rust on it. I'm not even going to bother trying to fix this engine, I'm getting another engine. Found one for $450 with 15K on it. Same year, same car.

The other thing is I don't know who was working on this car but I'd probably strangle them if they were in front of me. This car was in minor accident with curb stone, both rims on the one side have a little bend on the outside like someone parked a little too close. The guy told me they had replaced the tie rods, I don't see any indication they were replaced. What I do see is one new bolt on the sway bar. Problem is they damaged the CV boot doing whatever work they were doing, there was indentation on the clamp and small hole right next to it, had a wheelwell full of grease when I got it home. The sway bar itself was cracked and it's not something they could have missed because it's right where the hole is for the bolt.

I'd love to see the invoice for what they charged them for. I'm going to call this guy and tell him what's going on but doubt I'll get anything for it.

They are also known for cam button failure and the front timing cover would wear. You get a slight knocking sound and aluminum in the oil pan. Real easy fix.

If the knocking sound gets loud when you tip into or let off the gas, my money is on a spun rod bearing...but it sounds like it is worth checking the timing cover.

Rob R. wrote:Likely a spun bearing. Usually happens on a 3.8 after being run with a leaking intake gasket and coolant in the oil.

I did notice a little crud inside the coolant tank.

Flyer5 wrote:
They are also known for cam button failure and the front timing cover would wear. You get a slight knocking sound and aluminum in the oil pan. Real easy fix.

Easy to diagnose? Presumably I need to get to here? This does actually sound like it's coming from that part of the engine. Worth a shot...

waldo lemieux wrote:What pray tell is this mystery beast? Ya post pics of her privates and nothing of her gentle curves......

I posted them in FSC but here you go. It's a Buick Lacrosse CXL.

Nice looking ride!!!
In the old days we'd pop the plug wires off one at a time, a spun rod bearing sound will change when you hit the offending cylinder.
Now the issue is getting to the plug wires!

Wood'nCoal wrote:Nice looking ride!!!
In the old days we'd pop the plug wires off one at a time, a spun rod bearing sound will change when you hit the offending cylinder.
Now the issue is getting to the plug wires!

It's a fantastic looking lawn ornament. The spark plugs on this car aren't exactly easy to get too but doable, especially just to pull the wire. I'll try that first, I poked a hole in the oil filter getting it off so I need to get another one. <sigh>

Richard S. wrote:

Wood'nCoal wrote:Nice looking ride!!!
In the old days we'd pop the plug wires off one at a time, a spun rod bearing sound will change when you hit the offending cylinder.
Now the issue is getting to the plug wires!

It's a fantastic looking lawn ornament. The spark plugs on this car aren't exactly easy to get too but doable, especially just to pull the wire. I'll try that first, I poked a hole in the oil filter getting it off so I need to get another one. <sigh>

Do not pull the wires off on a DIS ignition while running. You will likely ruin the module or coil.