99 intrigue 3.5L engine making loud noise

[goobens]

Hi, I own a 1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL. It has a 3.5L engine with 190,000 miles on it. I recently replaced the crankshaft sensor, as it had gone bad and the engine had trouble starting. The crankshaft sensor fixed the problem, and the engine worked for around 2 weeks. I am the first owner of the car, and it has had regular maintenance, and has been using mobil 1 full synthetic for years now. It has burned a quart every 1000-1500 miles for a long time, and after reading this seems to be normal.

Now to the problem. Recently my engine has started making a relatively loud air-leaking/clicking noise. I apologize as I do not know how to accurately describe a sound. The sound gets faster, and louder as RPMs go up, and starts the moment the car is started. If I stand in front of the engine bay it also sounds as if it is coming from directly under the engine cover. The performance of the engine is effected, but not drastically.

I have taken it to a local mechanic, and just by listening to the noise he told me the valve lifters have gone bad, and that I it would run for a while, but that replacing them would cost the same as buying a new engine.

I have checked the fluids regularly, and they have never gotten low, as I keep them filled up to the proper levels. I was wondering if there could be any other cause for such a sound, and if it is the valve lifters, I guess I will find out an estimate on replacing the engine, or getting the lifters replaced/fixed.

Any information is greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance for your help.

[goobens]

oh, and the noise does not seem to change reguardless of the car being warmed up, or cold started. There is also no CEL

[kmohr3]

I think I would have someone else listen to the car. Maybe the 'engine guy' at the local dealer could walk out to the car with you and take a listen. Sometimes the experienced dealer techs know best, and have seen it all. One other thing - you mentioned an air-leaking sound from under the cover? Maybe check the PCV valve/hose - maybe something's wrong with the PCV causing a vacuum leak?

[goobens]

thank you, I'll go to a local dealer and have them take a listen. I'll also check out the PCV.

[panzer dragoon]

are you getting any over-heating issues with this (how's the engine temp guage?)

[goobens]

engine temperature remains normal, I haven't had it overheat at all. Out of curiosity what could the problem be if there engine temperatures were high?

[panzer dragoon]

sometimes the intake manifold gasket or head gasket will leak causing noise or letting more air into the engine = engine will run hotter. (not typical of the Intrigue)

190K is a ton of miles for the 3.5L, check Ebay or www.car-parts.com for a newer engine and maybe part out what you got on Ebay. My engine had a light clicking sound also, but it has gone away by using Mobil 1 synthetic 5w-30. With a high mileage engine you may want to go to a thicker synthetic oil like 10w (15W!) from the typical 5w-30 and see if it takes away some of that noise.

I had a Dodge truck (360ci with a ton of miles) where I would run straight 30W, 20W-50 oil in it for summer. In winter I went ~10w-30. A very loose engine unlike the Intrigue.

With the Intrigue 3.5L you need to be careful because it generally needs very thin oil like 5W-30 or a synthetic. Maybe even try going lighter like 0W?

Very few people have taken apart these engines and the guess is that they are not rebuildable. As a positive -Intrigues are getting cheap to buy. I and others are interested in what you will be doing.