Whats wrong with my 3.1

[streetmaster42]

My 98 Grand AM GT with a 3.1 was running like a top up untill 2 days ago, while driving to the store, it started to sputter like it was running out of gas.

Then it shut off, and i pulled to the side of the road. Tried to start it, it would start, but would stall when i put it in gear.

Had it towed home, and slapped it in the gerage. It would turn over a few times but then the starter would kick out, and sound like it jumped time.

I pulled the timing cover off, to inspect the chain (which did have a lot of slop in it) so i replaced it with a new one, and its doing the same thing.

I know i installed the chain the right way, because i lined the markes up before i pulled the old chain off, and put the new one back on.

I also had the starter off to test it, and it seemed ok, but still kicks out while trying to turn the motor over.

Could i have some other inturnal damage, like a bent valve, or could it be the starter (Which is $90 bucks)

[3100]

it is not starter, because it has nothing to do with engine shutting off when shifted into gear.

- check fuel pressure regulator, check fuel pressure, clean IAC and its passages.
- try disconnecting maf sensor and see if it will stay running..
- any codes?
- is your fuel level gauge working? do you have enough gas?

[streetmaster42]

Originally Posted by 3100

it is not starter, because it has nothing to do with engine shutting off when shifted into gear.

- check fuel pressure regulator, check fuel pressure, clean IAC and its passages.
- try disconnecting maf sensor and see if it will stay running..
- any codes?
- is your fuel level gauge working? do you have enough gas?

Yeah thanks for the responce, but the motor wont even start, it just cranks a few times real hard then the starter kicks out as if the battery is low. But its not, i've even tried it with a jump.

[xeroinfinity]

Have you checked your battery cables ? Your starter could be bad, did you take it somewhere to get it tested ??

If the cables are loose/dirty, that might also be the problem with it not starting.

On it dying...
Did you check your fuel pressure ?
When was the last time the fuel filter was changed ?

And if it only was dying when you put it into gear, then that sounds like a TCC problem. You can unplug the wire harness for the trans, large round/square plug and see if it still dies.

[streetmaster42]

I just got back from Autozone with a battery that checked out alright, so i now know that its not the bettery. I had the starter off, and on the bench, and checked it with jumper cables, and seemed ok.

[xeroinfinity]

Just checking the starter on a bench shows it's working with no load on it, like when its turning over the engine that takes more effort.
It'll need a load test to accuratly know if it's working 100%.

So has it started at all since the timing chain was replaced ???

[Jrs3800]

Do you have spark?

[streetmaster42]

Originally Posted by Jrs3800

Do you have spark?

I must have, because after i stuck the fully charged battery back in, it started up but shook really bad like it had a bad spark plug and shut right back off.

Its looking more and more like inturnal damage, like maybe a broken cam because the cams in thiese motors are hollow inside, and probly would'nt take much after a valve contacts a piston.

[Jrs3800]

Thats possible.. I have heard of the cams snapping in the 3100's.. Not exactly a common problem but its not unheard of either... If you ever find out for sure, let us know..

[streetmaster42]

Originally Posted by Jrs3800

Thats possible.. I have heard of the cams snapping in the 3100's.. Not exactly a common problem but its not unheard of either... If you ever find out for sure, let us know..

Yeah shure, im hoping im wrong on this one, because this motor ran like a top up untill my wife left for work. She said it was running alright, then started to sputter then shut off on her, tried to start it and it would only turn over a few times then make a funny sound (wich is what i call the starter kicking out) and had it towed home.

When i got home, i tried to start it, and it sounded like the compression was leaking past the valves because i could here it, so i figured that it jumped time.

The old chain had a lot of slop in it, but not enough to skip a tooth, so i lined the gears up and slid the new one in its place and it did the same thing, only now the motor shakes after it starts, its gott'a be a broken cam.

[Jrs3800]

I don't want to bash the 3100-3400.... I see them as decent engines.. But I do not have one and don't want one...

You have the Vin M 3100 iirc... Should be in the area of 9.4-9.6 : 1 compression.. If the chain did not have enough to jump time you may be right and the cam may be snapped.. Truth be told I actually like the 89-93 3.1 as opposed to the 3100 M and J....

I do wish you the best of luck... and would love to see a few pics if you get around to it..

Is it possible for you to use a 3400 or even a 3500 V6 as a replacement?

Or are you simply going to replace the Cam?

[streetmaster42]

Originally Posted by Jrs3800

I don't want to bash the 3100-3400.... I see them as decent engines.. But I do not have one and don't want one...

You have the Vin M 3100 iirc... Should be in the area of 9.4-9.6 : 1 compression.. If the chain did not have enough to jump time you may be right and the cam may be snapped.. Truth be told I actually like the 89-93 3.1 as opposed to the 3100 M and J....

I do wish you the best of luck... and would love to see a few pics if you get around to it..

Is it possible for you to use a 3400 or even a 3500 V6 as a replacement?

Or are you simply going to replace the Cam?

Got the car at a local used car-lot which has some sot of 50/50 repair policy of some sort on engine and drivetrain. Yeah this car is very clean top and bottom, and needed an engine when we got it, they told us if we wanted the car they would go ahead and install one for us which they did.

The car ran fine for 4 months or so, then took a dump on us. But we still owe on the car, and believe i'll let them eat half the bill.

[xeroinfinity]

Lets hope it's just the heads/valves got damaged. Cams do break but that should have been noticable when the chain was changed.

And hopefuly they'll stand behind the warranty. Good Luck!