Engine Knock

**tdm571** · 07-11-2011

Here's the long saga on my 97SE. Sorry in advance for the length. Purchased it in Dec '10. Speedo read 60k, but the previous owner just put an engine in with 50k. I upgraded to the Digital DIC. All I got was flashing zeros and flashing "Trac Off" light when I hit the gas. Tried several 97 DICs, including a known working unit from my good GP, same result. Changed out all four hubs, rotors, pads, and ECBM. Still same result. It was suggested that the PCM was stuck in programming mode. So, I got me one and changed it out. Finally, the DIC was working. Was driving home, everything running great, didn't push it at all. Then, about 2 miles from home, going up a hill on the expressway, I started losing power, SES light starts flashing. So, I get her home and check the codes. Got a P0304. Naturally, I came here and checked it out. Changed the plugs and wires along with the A/C compressor and accumlator/drier. I clear the codes and start her up. On start up, it sounds really rough and I get the flashing SES and the engine sounds like it is knocking. Now, I change out the coils. Clear the codes and start her up again. Still rough and knocking but no SES light. I took her for a 10-15 mile ride. Power sucked, tranny kept shifting at higher RPMs, and the engine was knocking. Sounds like it's in the rear/firewall side. Before I go any further, did I blow a piston? Here's a couple of videos of the know:

From the inside of the car:

From under the hood:

**Swiggles** · 07-11-2011

sounds like a bearing.

**BillBoost37** · 07-11-2011

I feel like we should have a "need a new motor" section today.

I don't need one..but there's a hippo and yourself that do.

**tdm571** · 07-11-2011

How does a 50k mile engine blow a bearing without being run hard? This was my wife's car, not mine.

**blueguy** · 07-11-2011

The junkyard motor wasn't in good shape when they tossed it in?

That's what it sounds like to me.

Also...flashing 0.0's on the DIC...last I checked that means the PCM is in programming mode...so, that's odd.

**tdm571** · 07-11-2011

Well, putting another engine in is not in the budget nor within my selection of tools to perform. I hate getting rid of a car that I've only had 8 months.

**Scottydoggs** · 07-11-2011

all you need is a 30 piece socket set and you could pull one of these engines, if you dont have a engine picker (hoist) a come along tied to the rafters of the garage would do if needed, hell if you got 2 or 3 friends i bet the 3 of ya could just lift it out of the engine bay if you put a 4x4 across the engine with some chains, if there's a will there's a way.

im sure you could find a used engine whole for around 400 clams.

**BillBoost37** · 07-11-2011

Originally Posted by tdm571

How does a 50k mile engine blow a bearing without being run hard? This was my wife's car, not mine.

I fail to see how you can't see the problem.

Seriously though, things happen. it's not very common for one to give up like that though. Another thing to consider. GM changed some programming from time to time during each model year to refine things. It's possible your programming has more timing or something else that beat the bearings. Seems that two motors both about 50K on them give up..hmmm

**tdm571** · 07-11-2011

The reason her driving is not a problem is because I doubt she ever reaches half throttle, much less WOT. She *****es whenever I give my car enough gas to downshift. LOL

Being unemployed really prohibits another engine. On the upside, it is a spare vehicle. The wife will just have to go back to the minivan.

**Hippo Machine** · 07-11-2011

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

I feel like we should have a "need a new motor" section today.

I don't need one..but there's a hippo and yourself that do.

True... haha

**dpzelenak** · 07-11-2011

off topic but how do you get the videos to play?

**Hippo Machine** · 07-11-2011

Originally Posted by dpzelenak

off topic but how do you get the videos to play?

Click them.

**dpzelenak** · 07-11-2011

i do that and it goes to a pop out and acts like a pic and doesnt do anything

**Hippo Machine** · 07-12-2011

Originally Posted by dpzelenak

i do that and it goes to a pop out and acts like a pic and doesnt do anything

It does that but opens another page with the video on it for me haha.

**Swiggles** · 07-12-2011

pull the valve covers off that could be something easy. it doesnt sound too bad and could be a bad lifter, pushrod, or rocker.

**TLSheff** · 07-12-2011

Originally Posted by Swiggles

pull the valve covers off that could be something easy. it doesnt sound too bad and could be a bad lifter, pushrod, or rocker.

Always possible but I would put money that his is the same as mine. My GTPs first engine made it to 83k before I got off the highway wondering why my car sounded like a deisel. Been flawless up to a random point where I spun cyl#1 main bearings and fubar'd the crank.

Tech at work knows I have tracked the car a couple times but said it was most likely the previous owners flawed maintenance vs my own because I work on it at the shop during lunch breaks. Didn't stop the bearing from going out.

A bad engine is a bad engine, and owner maintance has alot to do with that. You got a bad engine put into it, sux but it happens. Like they said, it can be replaced overnight with friends if you don't have the tools. Hell me and my friend lifted the whole bad motor out of the back of the truck and toted it into the garage by hand... was heavy but we did it.

**blueguy** · 07-12-2011

Originally Posted by Swiggles

pull the valve covers off that could be something easy. it doesnt sound too bad and could be a bad lifter, pushrod, or rocker.

Don't mean to be beating a dead horse to death...but its a killer.

That's the noise a bearing makes after its shreded and it spinning around the crank journal...

**TLSheff** · 07-12-2011

Assuming you didn't continue running it very long, and completely destroy the bearing and crank like I had to, it might be fixable. Mine scratched out the crank to the point we just replaced the motor. this was the bearings after I had to drive it home off the highway and then another 15 miles back to work the next day. All in all about 25 miles after I noticed the clanking.

New to me motor that was thoroughly checked over is rocking strong 12k later *fingers still crossed*

I have them sitting on my comp tower at home fitted together, the ends happen to overlap the others to hold themselves together nicely... scary as that is lol, nice little keep sake

**blueguy** · 07-12-2011

I've got a couple busted spark plugs, chunks of piston and piston rings that are fused together...a head with a spark plug melted in it...bent pushrod...and a few busted/melted valves, and a cam bearing that is totally flat in 2 peices.

yay 3800.

**TLSheff** · 07-12-2011

Originally Posted by bluegtp91

I've got a couple busted spark plugs, chunks of piston and piston rings that are fused together...a head with a spark plug melted in it...bent pushrod...and a few busted/melted valves, and a cam bearing that is totally flat in 2 peices.

yay 3800.

You just made these cars sound like POS's