This pertains to the 1996 SE with L36. We got the car with 125,8xxmiles and it had a knock so...we put a motor out of a 1997 LeSabre with 110k on it in the car. It had all new intake gaskets and everything done at this time also. And then it was put back in and has been running good up till today. Its got 130,xxxmiles and the car starts dinging. WTH?!? Ok...the oil pressure is low not zero but low. Then starts making some noise. Shut if off go into the store and it cools down. Come back out and the oil pressure seemed to be back up some after it has cooled.

This seems absolutely ridiculous that the motor would take a crap so soon.


Ok so my question is there anyway that I could save this motor or is it pretty much toast?
It aint too bad yet and yes this is exactly what happened to the 1994 SSEI that is currently awaiting motor transplant

Any help or comments greatly appreciated


EDIT: My dad was talking about how the dealer puts this motor honey stuff or whatever just to get the clunkers off the lot. Does this stuff actually work? And which would work best?
Would oil change help? Heavier oil?

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

those honey tar bardhal they just win you time but dont fix the problem

Ive had good results with bardhal #2 it might stop the knocking for now but you still have the problem

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It can be done, it will be done, it should be done, it shall be done...tomorrow
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SSEi 1996 gutted air box 180 deg
PONTIAC BONNEVILLE SE 40th 1997 [color=#FF00BF]RIP[color=#000000](parts car)
SATURN ASTRA XE 2009

OK So how long do you think itll put off the imminent death?
A couple weeks?

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

When oil is cold, it's thick. When the oil is hot, it thins out. Hence the higher pressure at cold start-up.

Any rattling isn't good. Is there metal in the oil?

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Could we possibly get a video too?

Yeah I might be able to get a vid.
Oil looked pretty bad but no metal so that's a good thing.
My dad was driving the car and I have yet to hear this noise but he says it was just like the'94 as it progressively got worse.

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

L26 swap...

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2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - Current car

1999 Buick LeSabre Custom - Former car

Learn from the mistakes of others, that way when you mess up you can do so in new and interesting ways.

Also, while I'm sure this isn't what you are going to want to hear...putting thicker oil can't assure you any proven amount of time...you might put it in and it still dies right then and there...if it IS the motor going.

Sorry no L26. I need the cheapest route possible as we don't have like any cash right now.
So......we were just going to try to put thicker oil to quite it down and just sell it.
Otherwise prolly just throw another motor in it and sell it as we also need some cash to fix the burb.

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

Why don't we diagnose the problem before making plans and suggestions?

Drain your oil into a CLEAN container. Drop a magnet into the oil and swirl it around, then pull it out. Let's see it.

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Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Do you have an LKQ near you? I bought my motor for $250 and it was a series III 3800 with low miles... People aren't really looking for the L26 so there is a ton of them on the market..


Willwren also makes a good point...

Looking on Car-part.com for my address, JY in Rockville MN has 4-5 L26's for $345 each, all with low miles. Not too shabby. But, I agree, determine if yours is or isn't salvageable first.

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Bye Bye:

RIP sandrock

Ok. I'll going to check it out hopefully tomorrow saturday at the latest.
I haven't actuallly heard or seen anything yet so idk.
We are to the point where there is NO cash at all for this right now. And we already put a *fook* engine in this car 4k ago. So right now it's either fix this motor or else figure out the cheapest way to unload it as we also need cash for the burb.
So right now we gotta figure out what's wong and try to get it to run quietly for a week or two.


More updates in a day or two....but I'm not optimistic. ;-(

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

You haven't heard it? Keep in mind there are other less expensive things that can make similar noises.

_________________

Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Ok. But what could cause no oil pressure and rattling/knocking?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

A bad sensor and a failed harmonic balancer.

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Click here for mod list for both cars
93 SSEi, 95 SLE (supercharged) 97 Buick LeSabre Limited
PontiacDad at WCBF '04: Cruise control? That's like surrendering!
Comprehensive guide to troubleshooting, rebuilding, and modifying Eaton Superchargers

Did you guys check the oil level? Sometimes the oil pressure senders can break & create a rather large oil leak.

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2006 Chevy Monte Carlo SS

Yeah. Check oil dad said it seemed dirty or whatever but it was right where it was supposed to be.

Will be draining oil and pulling pan off. Anything else to do or check?
Oil pressure sender was replaced with new when engine was put in.


Also how do I check oil sensor or whatever an harmonic balancer?

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Clay
1997.2 40th SLE-138k
1968 Bonneville 400ci w/TH-400-40k
1999 GMC Suburban SLT-191k
2005 Escalade 253k-GINA

That does sound a lot like bottom end trouble... But I will be watching further for more info...

You must have installed another series II motor... Part of the reason we go after the series III is due to the aluminum upper intake and aluminum lower intake gaskets, meant that motor will have never seen an internal coolant leak or have burned coolant...

What happens when a 3800 burns or leaks coolant internally is that the oil will take what it can before it becomes milky, but by then the oil has become acidic and pits the bearings.... If that happens the motor will be short lived...

S3 L26s come with aluminum gaskets already? really?

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