Where do I start to troubleshoot?
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Sacaledus
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Where do I start to troubleshoot?
So my sister just purchased a 2003 SE. All was fine, she drove it from Kennewick, WA over the mountains to Seattle. Drove it up and down the I-5 corridor, Heads home yesterday and just as she's rounding the bend at the summit it begins to lose power. She steps on the gas...still losing...she hits the exit makes it about 200 yards and it gives up the ghost. No SES light, No external leaks. Just got an oil change before she took off. I drove it while she was at my house and gave it a once over and it looked great. It starts but because of the noise it's making I had it towed back to my house. Here's a vid of what it sounds like http://youtu.be/YosSenhUUlw When I got to her it sounded worse. There was even a little squealing and the engine gave a slight buck every now and again. The rpm's would get high then low. It does take longer than normal to turn over. It was late so I didnt get a chance to take a look at the oil or the antifreeze. As always ladies and gents any and all help is appreciated.
- crash93ssei
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
Check the oil and look for any signs of coolant in it or glitter. Definitely sounds like a little upper end clatter there, hard to tell for sure with just at idle though if it would be a rod knock or not.
Ryan

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one

2003 Bonneville SSEi - The Black Mirror SOLD!
2002 Bonneville SE - The Mutt Complete 2004 SLE interior, drivetrain, and body harness swap, ECC swap, HUD swap, black GXP wheels, GXP headlights and tinted tails - SOLD
2003 BMW 540i M Sport, 2001 BMW X5 4.4i, 2010 GMC Acadia, 2017 Grand Design Imagine 3150BH
1982 Cutlass Supreme - The fun one
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DaMaroon
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
Can't get a sense of direction from the audio. Listening through a large screwdriver or cut off broom handle, at various non moving parts, would help locating.
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Sacaledus
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
It was getting dark and hailing when I looked but it appears the oil was a little glittery. Does that mean the engine's shot? There are a couple series II's at the local junker that just arrived within the last couple weeks. I can get one for less than $200, thats with the core deposit. Or should I rebuild the one I have?
- Archon
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
Getting a good used one is the better option.
*Gone, but not forgotten* - Black 2000 SSEi, HIR Headlights, Angel Eyes fogs, 3rd brake light overlay, hi-flo cat, 180 degree thermostat, HS 1.9 rockers, LSx yellow springs, Intense FWI, PCM, shift kit, push rods, and 3.4 Pulley. ZZP Power Log.
- nos4blood70
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
A used motor would be less work in the long run and should be fine for a long time if it's been taken care of.
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Sacaledus
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
Any major things I need to be aware of when attempting this swap? Potential PITA's? In order to seperate the engine from the transmission, is there just the bolts in the flywheel? Whats the best way to remove those?
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justin85
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
for bolts that connects engine to transmission, there is 6 bolts that are 18mm sockets, there are 5 that you can see but the 6th is the PITA!!
in order to get the 6th is you have to take off passenger tire and have about 4'ft - 5'ft of extension.
the bolt is between the engine and transmission.
When you are putting the new engine in you can leave the 6th bolt out as long as you have the rest tightened up.
hope this helps
in order to get the 6th is you have to take off passenger tire and have about 4'ft - 5'ft of extension.
the bolt is between the engine and transmission.
When you are putting the new engine in you can leave the 6th bolt out as long as you have the rest tightened up.
hope this helps
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justin85
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
the best way to remove the flywheel bolts is to remove the starter and have a flat head screwdriver to use to turn the flywheel and i believe the bolts are a 15mm or 18mm and use a wrench to loosen with the screw driver used as a wedge to stop the flywheel from turning as you take the bolts off.
hope everything works smooth.
hope everything works smooth.
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Sacaledus
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
Just for the sake of knowing, what would the cost be to fix the current engine? The oil came back dark gray and slightly metallic?
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justin85
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
WOW!! i just listened to the youtube vid and your motors pooched!
especially if you found your oil metallic looking.
you are better off getting another motor instead of trying to repair a money pit motor thats going to run you into the thousands and will most likely just pop again.
sorry for the bad news,
especially if you found your oil metallic looking.
you are better off getting another motor instead of trying to repair a money pit motor thats going to run you into the thousands and will most likely just pop again.
sorry for the bad news,
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Sacaledus
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
Will any Series II swap in or am I looking for a 2000+?
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justin85
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
any series 2 motor will work. only changes you will make is swapping the mounts.
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Sacaledus
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
One more thing, Can anyone explain to me, mechanically, what went wrong?
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justin85
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
a heavy foot and low maintenance. thats my guess, how is the motor hunting working?
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Sacaledus
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
So I'm pulling the motor now and it seems to be stock to the tranny?? I could not find a 6th bolt either?? Help please!!!
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Sacaledus
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Re: Where do I start to troubleshoot?
OK, well there is a 6th bolt (Engine to transmission) and you wouldn't know it unless you saw it. You can't see it unless you remove the cross-pipe from the exaust. Lo and behold I found it, got it off and presto!! Dropping the other motor in today, say a prayer to the motor Gods all goes well.




