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2002 Grand Prix 3.8 L rough idle, stall, won't crank for awhile

T

TimSchober

New member
I have a 2002 with a 3.8 L. Just bought the car this week. Son was driving it at approximately 35 mph when the engine died. He was able to restart. He drove another short distance and the engine died again. Now, it wouldn't start right away. He called and I went to his location. By the time I got there the car started right up but the car makes an odd noise similar to acceleration pinging or a diesel engine. It did not make this sound when I bought it.

I started the car this morning and it started right up. It made the acceleration pinging or diesel engine sound right from the start. Once the car warmed the rough idle started again. When the car stalled it has yet to restart. Been about 30 minutes. At first it wouldn't crank at all, turn the key, fuel pump comes on and off, and turn the key and almost nothing. After some time, I get a little more crank...then a little more crank...

Any ideas?
 


that dont sound good at all, pull the oil dip stick to see what the oil looks like, also see if theres any coolant left in the radiator.
 
did your son notice if the temp went into he red? if so it may have killed it. if its still doing the diesel sounds when cold, its hurt.
 
He says it did not go into the red. When I got to him the car was cold...it wasn't more than 15 minutes. Just had the car towed...when I turn the key, it sounds like the engine will rotate one progression...sometimes 2. I agree...it's hurt...just hope it isn't dead. Didn't plan on doing an engine replacement a week after I bought it.
 
yeah it sucks when the blow up in 7 days of getting them for sure.

how did the oil look?

is this a n/a engine or supercharged?

if n/a the upper intake fails, dumps coolant into the engine oil, and spins a bearing if not caught in time. also take the oil cap off and if its got snot all over it. if so you got a lot of moisture in the crank case.
 


if it sounds like its having a hard time turning over, like its stops spinning and then you stop turning the key and it like spins back like a recoil, its hydro locked, which is when coolant gets into the cylinders.

id take all the plugs out, see if they are wet or not, then crank the motor. if it spins freely and coolant shoots out of a cylinder or 2 the intake gaskets let go for sure.

most of the time this trying to crank the engine with coolant in the cylinder kills a rod bearing. and of course its junk by that time.
 
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