sticky lifters or blown rod/bearing

[urbanj51]

recently had intake manifold replaced. engine was overheating and no heat because of pressure fluctuations in radiator

a couple weeks later lifters started clicking. my friend who had same situation with one of his cars said it was just noisy lifters. took car to dealer and they said it was a blown rod/bearing.

anyone have any ideas?
whats the easiest/cheapest way to fix?

[urbanj51]

any help or ideas is gratefully accepted!!!!

[Jeremy Fitch]

Any chance you can record a sound file of it? I went through the whole intake manifold blowing thing and it was my main bearings that went out.

[blazee]

A lot of people seem to have problems with their main bearings after replacing the intake gasket.

[urbanj51]

I can try and get a sound recorded but my computer has been acting kind of funny. but thanks for the info. i just hope that my main bearings didn't go out. did you have to replace the entire engine? or did you just go in the engine and replace the bearings and rods?

[Jeremy Fitch]

Originally Posted by urbanj51

I can try and get a sound recorded but my computer has been acting kind of funny. but thanks for the info. i just hope that my main bearings didn't go out. did you have to replace the entire engine? or did you just go in the engine and replace the bearings and rods?

I had the entire engine rebuilt, including new pistons, rings, ect. I also needed a new crank shaft in mine, basicly a whole new bottom end. But yours may not need all that, there is no sure way to know what all it will need without pulling the engine and seeing what condition everything is in. However is it is just lifters they can be replaced without pulling the engine.

One old trick to find bad rod bearings is to pull the plug wire at the distrubitor to each cylinder one at a time, be careful not to get shocked, and listen to see if the sound gets quieter on one cylinder, if it does then its probably a rod bearing. If the sound gets louder then its probably main bearing. If no change then it could be lifters or cam bearings.

[534BC]

Well, block distortion is a very real thing, but I can't figure out how the intake bolts get so much distortion to the mains that it causes a main bearing failure. sounds kinda fishy to me. There must be more to it.

[blazee]

Originally Posted by 534BC

Well, block distortion is a very real thing, but I can't figure out how the intake bolts get so much distortion to the mains that it causes a main bearing failure. sounds kinda fishy to me. There must be more to it.

It seems a little far fetched to me, too. I think that its more likely a result of the bearings being damaged due to coolant seeping into the oil through the leaking intake gasket.

[Jeremy Fitch]

Originally Posted by blazee

It seems a little far fetched to me, too. I think that its more likely a result of the bearings being damaged due to coolant seeping into the oil through the leaking intake gasket.

I think thats the problem also. It took mine 4 months after the intake went before the mains went out. If it were blobk distortion I would think it would have been sooner.

[AJT1961]

It's been 1000 miles since I replaced my intake gasket and lifters. I thought I was home free but I guess I have to keep my fingers crossed hoping that the main bearings don't go next.

[BlazerLT]

Ok, lets digress a bit and go back to the basics and move up:

1.) What oil and what oil filter are you using?

2.) Have you flushed your oil system yet?

3.) Is the sound seem less pronounced when cold?

[534BC]

Yes, water in oil would be easy to see in the bottom of pan. One thing is for sure, if it's a rod bearing you wil find out real soon. lol

[urbanj51]

sry i haven't replied in a few days but i've been real busy. after i looked at the engine and oil pan i realized that i have an oil leak. i think its cause the oil filter is a fram, which i bought the car with and i assume the same type of filter that has been replaced every time i get my oil changed. i think that the bearings haven't been getting a sufficient oil supply which is making them go out.

[BlazerLT]

What oil are you using?

How much oil are they putting in your truck when they are filling it during a change.

Have you done a oil flush and if not, I would do it.

[urbanj51]

i'm using whatever they're putting in there when i get it changed. i think its 5w-30. they've been putting 4 quarts like suggested by gm