VS V6 Ecotec Engine Trouble

[andrebennetto]

Background:automatic 3.8L, pacemakers-2.5",1.95 roller rockers, pushrods, better springs, reconditioned alternator 1000kms ago, oil change to 10w-30 gulf western hi energy oil 200kms ago.

Today, driving normally (P Plater normally) on a hot day, go to start the car after a breif stop, the car takes a while to revolute (like when the battery goes flat, but starts.

I then put it in D (drive) and sense a continual shake that i have never experienced before, as if something was out of balance in the engine or car, so i pull over and make sure the wheels arent flat and a breif check that everything is ok (it looked ok), so i txted a mate and he said make sure all the leads are plugged in (incase its running on 5 cylinders) so i pushed them all in, and started the car again, upon starting and idle there was a squeak/knock of metal on metal sound comming from the engine, which happened around 3-4 times a second.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced this before/knows what it could be. Im hoping the engine isn't rooted as i would really like to have the car these christmas holidays.

[Brett_jjj]

It might be the harmonic balancer, where the fan belt goes to the bottom pulley .Have a look with it with the engine running.Make sure its not wobbly,it should run true.

[andrebennetto]

I just checked it out and ran a screwdriver along it and listened to the handle to see if it was true and it was spot on. so cant be that

[Brett_jjj]

Wheres it seem to be coming from? A certain place around the engine,or just from the engine itself.

[andrebennetto]

from inside the engine, i origianlly thought one of the pulleys was bent but it sounds deeper than that

[Brett_jjj]

Ive noticed the oil you use is to thin for these engines, it needs to be at least 20w/50 or higher.That might be whats doing it.I hope it hasn't damaged something.

[westbad]

Ive noticed the oil you use is to thin for these engines, it needs to be at least 20w/50 or higher.That might be whats doing it.I hope it hasn't damaged something.

same as above, your oil is way to thin get some thicker oil in it asap.

[andrebennetto]

ok im going to the servo to get some overpriced thicker oil. hopefully its not a lost hope any ideas on what it could be? seeing as the oil is to thin? i changed the oil on saturday and today was the hottest it ran (middle of the temp gauge) so im guessing it has wrecked something when it got to hot, and the oil got thin. just no idea what it could be

[Brett_jjj]

It could be piston rings,a bearing,a valve,its hard to tell.Id just try the thicker oil and see if it goes away.If you weren't reving it hard it might still be ok.

[woteva]

upon starting and idle there was a squeak/knock of metal on metal sound comming from the engine, which happened around 3-4 times a second.

Spun bearing ??

[scozz76]

Sounds like the harmonic balancer, check the rubber. What happens when you turn the a/c on? Mine knocked like crazy.

[hako]

I'd check a bit further before before commiting hari-kari - the metal to metal sound usually comes from outside the engine like pulleys on the serpentine belt. Metal to metal sounds from inside the engine are usually more deeper as they have to penetrate the engine block.
So, I'd suggest remove the serpentine belt and run the engine for no more than 10 seconds as see if the noise is gone. If it is, spin each pulley till you locate any lumpiness or play/roughness. If it's still there I would closely inspect the harmonic balancer to see if there is any movement there - put a screwdriver behind it and see if it can be moved (engine off!)

[andrebennetto]

ok sweet as, thanks! ill do it in the morning when i can see, i also bought some castrol GTX2 20W-50

[andrebennetto]

If it is a spun bearing, is that a new engine, or is that fixable?

[hako]

Usually it's cheaper to throw a new motor in - the bearing will usually score the crankshaft meaning it will need to be machined so it's engine out plus plus plus.
I'm with Brett jjj on it being the harmonic balancer....the missing and rattle are typical.....

[andrebennetto]

ok, turns out a piston is screwed, new motor is apparently the easiest way. How hard is it to change over a motor? and where can i get a good VS engine from? maybe reconditioned would be good. (i have a full workshop and some mates that are mechanics)

[westbad]

pull it out and put a 5 Litre in it ;-)

[v6monstar]

dude your piston slapping your going to have to titan up your pistons be for you throw a con rod throw the side of the of your engine

[westbad]

dude your piston slapping your going to have to titan up your pistons be for you throw a con rod throw the side of the of your engine

lol ok how do you "titan up" a piston

[Brett_jjj]

With a 1 mm spanner.Jeez.Just ask v6monstar,he'll tell ya.But seriously a reconditioned or second hand motor is the easiest way to go if you are sure about the old motors piston being stuffed.

[VS_WPN]

You'll prob need new piston bolts and a torque wrench to tighten the pistons. Holden should have them. lol

[Brett_jjj]

If theres any damage to pistons etc,the motor has to be rebuilt,new bolts and a torque wrench arent gonna help much.The block will most likely need a rebore and hone.new pistons,new or reco conrods if they are bent and new bearings , then theres the crankshaft,which could be twisted , or have gouged crank journals etc .I've read somewhere these cranks cant be reground(not sure about this though).Then you got the heads,could have damaged valves,Probably need a overhaul as well.Theres not much point even putting 1 new piston in,its just a waste of time,considering how much the engine has to be stripped down to do it.Its just as easy to do it all at once.

[python_hunter1]

thanks for my new sig v6monstar

[westbad]

thanks for my new sig v6monstar

hahahaha love it lol

[The1]

have you cleaned and checked your iac and tps?