'92 Buick 3.3L

[JMS]

Hello,

I have a 1992 Buick Century 3.3L V6, and recently the engine has been making alot of noise. It's like a ticking, I did a bit of research and a website said that it could be the lifters are sticking, and to "increase the frequency of my oil changes" and the ticking may stop.

A new problem has now developed, my car does not start properly. And it usually only does this when it is cold outside (the car starts fine when it is warmer out). The car struggles to start and sometimes makes a weird grinding noise, then turns over. Yesterday I noticed that there was an addition to the ticking: there is a black plastic cylinder by the left front side of the engine (sorry, I have no idea what this part is called), there are a few very small tubes running too and from this. I put my hand against it and could feel it vibrating, it seems to be struggling to work, I asked my dad he said he can't remember what the part it for, something about emissions.

Please, any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

EDIT: The car has 62,000 miles on it and runs fine.

[JMS]

Sorry to double post, but I took some pictures and even recorded the sound this part is making. Can anyone please tell me the name of this part and how much it would cost to replace?

Thanks!

Here are a few different shots:



Here is the sound the part makes

[tman]

Wow, it's a shame I cant help you! We've never had anyone post pics with the part in question CIRCLED!!!! And you have an audio clip too!! If somebody cant help you, I'm going on a banning spree!!!!

Anyhow, props to JMS!!!!

[1969Stang]

this is just a guess. i walked out to my car started it up and flowed the line. i could only follow one because its 10:45 at night here. but its a vacuum canister. flow the top hose and it goes straight to the t.b. and a vacuum i believe. im also tired so i don't know...now that sound if any of you old muscle car guys remember before D.I.S. we had distributors. if you took off the middle wire that came for the coil to look at the spark it would make that noise. and if you took the coil wire and put it near something to watch the spark... yada yada yada. so anyways it could be just the coil packs. make sure all the coil wires are one right. and then after you do that..make sure you getting spark from everyone..do it in that order. cause it will solve one problem at a time. if that doesn't do it. well them i'm going to need a little more time to thing about what it is. my point is it sounds eletrical. but then it could be the lifters are sticking more...but electrical problem is easier to deal with i.m.p.o hope this helps.

[JMS]

Thanks, I'll go check that.

[1969Stang]

anything???

[JMS]

Sorry, I haven't had the time to really check it out. I played with the connections a few times. It doesn't bother me all that much though since the noise is inconsistant. I'll check it out again soon and let you know.

[Flatrater]

That is normal, nothing wrong with your car. It is part of your EVAP system. The PCM pulses this on and off rapidly when oyu hear the clicking of the solenoid it is not abnormal. It would be called your purge solenoid which is mounted on your charcoal cannister.

[JMS]

Originally Posted by Flatrater

That is normal, nothing wrong with your car. It is part of your EVAP system. The PCM pulses this on and off rapidly when oyu hear the clicking of the solenoid it is not abnormal. It would be called your purge solenoid which is mounted on your charcoal cannister.

Should It be that loud though?? This just started making this noise this past winter. I don't recall ever hearing this noise until a few months ago.

[quaddriver]

Originally Posted by JMS

Hello,

I have a 1992 Buick Century 3.3L V6, and recently the engine has been making alot of noise. It's like a ticking, I did a bit of research and a website said that it could be the lifters are sticking, and to "increase the frequency of my oil changes" and the ticking may stop.

A new problem has now developed, my car does not start properly. And it usually only does this when it is cold outside (the car starts fine when it is warmer out). The car struggles to start and sometimes makes a weird grinding noise, then turns over. Yesterday I noticed that there was an addition to the ticking: there is a black plastic cylinder by the left front side of the engine (sorry, I have no idea what this part is called), there are a few very small tubes running too and from this. I put my hand against it and could feel it vibrating, it seems to be struggling to work, I asked my dad he said he can't remember what the part it for, something about emissions.

Please, any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

EDIT: The car has 62,000 miles on it and runs fine.

the item in the pic is the evap. the ticking could just be valve related, or the PS pump, or even the #1 main bearing (the 3.3 tends to tear this up)

keep the oil changed with 5-30.

also, the 3.3 tends to crack the rear manifold such that when cold or under heavy accell you hear a 'ticking' come from the motor as it rocks

[JMS]

Thanks for all the help everyone.