1995 V-6 Corsica Problems, Need advice ASAP!

[maddog5461]

1995 Corsica 3.1 V-6,
I bought this car in Dec 1995, it had 26,000 miles on it. I worked out of town, and it got a lot of miles on it really quickly, it now has 186,000 or so, mostly highway miles.
About a year ago the transmission went out, no reverse, So I pulled the motor and tranny, had the tranny rebuilt, tore the motor down to the block, and it was incredibly clean, pistons were tight, so I decided NOT to overhaul the engine (possibly my biggest mistake??) I had the heads serviced, valves were ground, and I believe they had to replace 1 exhaust valve because it was slightly burnt. I replaced the timing chain and gears, WANTED to replace the oil pump, but we spent almost 1,000.00 on the transmission rebuild, and the oil pump was about 100.00, which at the time we just didn't have the extra cash, the pump was clean, and had never given any problems, so I took a chance. Replaced the oil sensor, and all the gaskets, my machinist who did the heads told me the 3.1 liters were bad about the Intake manifold leaking at the water ports, and to use gasket sealer around the holes that were the water ports, he also showed me where they were, and I did as he instructed. I gave my mother the car (she is in her 70's and drives very LITTLE, about 5,000 miles a year) Everything seemed fine with the car after the tranny rebuild, and going through the motor (oh yeah I also put a new water pump on it), Than all of a sudden this past summer, the lifters started making noise, the darn thing sounded like a diesel! So I changed the oil, and added some lifter stuff thats supposed to lubricate them, and shut them up. They seemed to get a little quieter. The SES light has not come on, to my knowledge, nor has the oil light (except when I change the oil, at first start up, the oil light comes on for a second or so then goes out) Since the engine was out, it has had a new battery, new fuel pump, new alternator, new starter. After the car started having the lifter noise, I noticed it seemed to have a dead miss, so I replaced the spark plugs, and wires, and I noticed that there was rust on one of the coil packs where the wire connects to it, so I took some sand paper, and cleaned that up, but it still didn't seem to help the miss. Now the car will not start, it TRIES to start, and sometime will start, then dies after a few seconds, lifters are still raising a racket. I have NEVER replaced the ignition module on this car, and I really wonder If it isn't giving me the problem. Is it possible that the module was getting ready to go out, and was causing a it to have a dead miss, and the dead miss was causing the lifter noise? If my oil pump was weak, wouldn't the oil light come on? I have never replaced the crank pos sensor on this car either, could this and the module be something to look at. I had a mechanic look at it, and when you try to start it, it acts like the starter is dragging, but it isn't, it will turn over and then seem to lock up, then you try again, and it spins normally, it has a new starter, and battery and alternator (all within the last 3 months), The mechanic told me that sometimes when you get antifreeze in your cyl walls, it will cause it to act that way, and he seems to think it might be a blown head gasket, but the oil has NO water in it, of course, it could be going out the tail pipe. If anyone has any suggestions, I have read in the forums here that you can have that ignition module tested at local auto parts stores, which is the best one to go to? We have Autozone, and Advance in this area, also NAPA. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My father was a mechanic, so my knowledge is pretty extensive of auto repair, I rebuilt my first engine when I was 16, and will usually do all my own car repair (except exhaust work!!) Thanks in advance for any replies to this TOO LONG post!! Len P

[jsgold]

hard to say what all is wrong with your engine. Take the igniton module to either NAPA or Adance. Not sure if Autozone does this. Might ask the folks at Advance if they have a teser you could get for the oil pressure. They lease some specialty tools, although I do not know if this is a tool they offer. If the module tests bad or weak replace it and the crank sensor while you are at it. Crank sensor is fairly cheap, module will set you back 80-100 bucks or so. Possible a coil has failed too, you can do a test on them as well with a multimeter. they cost around 20 bucks each. Might want to replace them as well, as a lot of people do, but that is up to you. If you find one is bad you can just replace the bad one. Might pick up a haynes manual if you do not have one. The module and coil packs come off as one unit. Do not try to remove coil packs first. I do not know about the cranking problem but unless you are losing coolant I do not see how that would keep it from cranking unless it was hydro locking. Possible, but you should be able to tell by removing the plugs and cranking over to see what comes out. Might unhook the fuel pump relay first though... Our 91 had a cracked head once, so you could have a leak in there. But if you are not losing coolant, maybe you have a weak battery or a problem with the starter even though they are both newly replaced. Best way to be sure is get them tested.

[Ed_Strong]

First thing that comes to mind is the timing chain, it just might be off a few degrees.
Auto Zone and Advance Auto both do parts testing, so I would take the ignition module to both of them and have them test it, two opinions are better than one!

[maddog5461]

Originally Posted by jsgold

hard to say what all is wrong with your engine. Take the igniton module to either NAPA or Adance. . Best way to be sure is get them tested.

Thanks for the reply, This one has me pretty baffled, I don't know a lot about the new ignition modules, and coils that are computer controlled, If it were points and distributor, thats more up my alley of expertise, LOL
I truly wonder, If that ignition module, or crank sensor could be bad, and causing it to fire the wrong cyl at the wrong time. I am going to have to get that tested, and just see what happens from there, If I find anyhting out, will add a post to this thread, Thanks JS, Len P

[maddog5461]

Originally Posted by Ed_Strong

First thing that comes to mind is the timing chain, it just might be off a few degrees.
Auto Zone and Advance Auto both do parts testing, so I would take the ignition module to both of them and have them test it, two opinions are better than one!

UPDATE!!! I finally got around to pulling the motor, AGAIN! There is something wrong with the engine. You can turn it over a short distance and it is fairly easy, then it gets lots HARDER to turn over, then goes back to being easy. (Spun bearing?? locking up oil pump??)
I currently have the lifters out, it turned cold on this backyard mechanic, but hopefully will warm up enough tomorrow to tear motor the rest of the way down, and hopefully find the problem. I know it has been 2 years, but I work a LOT, and didn't have time to pull the motor till this fall. Looks like a complete overhaul is in store, or a crate motor. If anyone knows a good source of an inexpensive crate motor thats GOOD quality, postme the link!! When I find the problem, I will post here, for the help to anyone else who might have this problem. Thanks for posting replies guys!! Laterz Len P.