Blown motor. What do these symptoms mean?

[happydog500]

Been looking over what it takes to remove the timing cover. Quite the project. I read where the timing gear on these motors is almost indestructible. Wonder how mine broke?
Not sure if I'm just negative, but seems like it couldn't be just a timing chain breaking. Has to be something a lot worse then that.
Chris.

[happydog500]

Yes, I know the best mechanic in the world. Problem is, he's swamped right now. He can't have me bring the car over and look at it, then take the car away to fix it when I have the money. He wants me to bring it over when I can fix it.
Another friend who would help me looked at the procedure and was kind of bummed when looking at what it takes.
Chris.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by happydog500

Yes, I know the best mechanic in the world. Problem is, he's swamped right now. He can't have me bring the car over and look at it, then take the car away to fix it when I have the money. He wants me to bring it over when I can fix it.
Chris.

Typical "best mechanic in the world"!

[happydog500]

You can find the best mechanic in the world, who knows everything about certain kind of cars. He knows everything about everything. No matter what kind your talking about, he knows everything about it.

[HotZ28]

Well, bless his heart, he sounds a lot like me "swamped right now"!

[Jrs3800]

You know I like to think I am pretty good... But I learn something new all of the time... Its when you think you know it all that you stop learning...

As Much as I know about the 3800 Series engines its amazing to em that there are things I still didn't and don't know... But thats all good as it leaves more room for me to learn..

When you can have it fixed, take it back to him..

Good mechanics are few and far between sometimes..

[happydog500]

I got a friend who has tomorrow off (Tuesday). He wants to take off the trimming cover and take a look.

Haynes says I have to drain the oil. I don't see that at Autozone.com.

Does anyone have advice on what other things I can expect? Things to watch out for? Do or not do?
I know it's short notice for answers. Hopefully I can get a reply before we start in the morning.

Thank you,
Chris.

[spinne1]

Originally Posted by happydog500

I got a friend who has tomorrow off (Tuesday). He wants to take off the trimming cover and take a look.

Haynes says I have to drain the oil. I don't see that at Autozone.com.

Does anyone have advice on what other things I can expect? Things to watch out for? Do or not do?
I know it's short notice for answers. Hopefully I can get a reply before we start in the morning.

Thank you,
Chris.

Yes, you should drain your oil because it is hard to do the job without removing the oil pan. It is much easier to get the front cover back on without an oil pan in the way (in fact it is almost impossible to get it on with an oil pan in the way.)

My advice? Take your time. Get ziploc bags, a legal pad, a pen, a black marker. Write each step on the legal pad (for example):

1. Disconnect battery 8mm
2. Remove serp belt 18mm
3. Remove alternator bolts 2 x 13mm (note locations when there are differences in length of bolts)

Etc.

As you remove parts, write on a corresponding ziploc with a black marker the number of the step you are on and put the part(s) in the bag. Keep a box or something to collect all the bags. [Note: only put small parts/bolts in the bags. Big things like the alternator should simply be set aside somewhere.]

Before removing the old timing chain put the harmonic balancer bolt back in until you can turn the engine with a socket and then line up the timing marks so that you know you are at #1 cylinder top. In general the lower sprocket will have its mark at the top middle and the upper sprocket will have its mark at the bottom middle. Doing this will make it easier to install the new gears and chain.

You will likely need to replace your chain tensioner and it usually does not come with the timing chain and gears so buy that as well.

Putting an oil pan back on is a pain. Use those little plastic helpers that come with your gasket. They are lifesavers.

After you get everything disassembled wipe the front cover and engine area down good and clean it good and scrape it good with a good putty knife or exacto knife or utility blade or similar (but don't gouge the metal!) After all this wipe the metal where the gaskets will go with acetone to get them extra clean and grease free.

[HotZ28]

Chris, have you got it apart yet?

[happydog500]

Yea, we took it off.
As I took off the cover, I first saw the timing gear and chain in place. My first thought was, the forums where right, the chains never break on these motors. I wondered how could the rockers not be moving when the motor turns over?
Just then, my friend saw a bolt. He picked it up and we found the bolt broke off the end of the Cam Shaft. The W.N Woodruff Key was broken also, so the gear was spinning.

As we where looking around at the motor, my friend found some chunks of metal in one of the water jackets. A few more minutes of looking we could see through a little opening in the motor, little chunks of pot metal.

Not sure if the Key/bolt broke off, then the motor went, or if the motor went, then it broke off the bolt. Whatever happened, my motor is pretty much toast.

This leads me to another question, but I think I'll post it in a different thread (Engine Swap).

Thank you for all the help I received in this thread.
Chris.

[happydog500]

Was looking on the web about my 3800 Motor. I found this.

"1/4/2008

Buick 3800 VIN K Cam Problems

Some of the 1995-’99 Buick 3800 VIN K cores are showing up with the keyway in the snout of the cam all wallowed out. When this happens, the cam gear rotates back and forth on the snout which not only ruins the cam, but also changes the valve timing and leads to abnormal combustion. We have seen valves that are bent because they collided with the pistons and heads that are cracked from the excessive heat.

Watch for bad cams, bent valves, broken guides and cracked heads on these engines and anticipate the additional cost of parts and repairs when pricing them."

Never knew this was a problem. Makes me feel a little better.
Chris.