High pitched noise in engine

[joshuahazard]

Hi everyone,
I have an 2002 Alero GLS 3.4L V6 with 92,000 miles. On tuesday (2-13), I hit a huge pothole. I pulled over and turned it off as soon as it happened because I could tell something was wrong. Had it towed to my local garage. It turns out it broke my oil pan (the hole was the size of a baseball) and knocked the motor onto the subframe. They remounted the motor and replaced the oil pan ($700). Then last night, I heard a loud squealing noise coming from the engine (Similar to a loose belt). I headed home but the car stalled so i coasted into a parking lot. Tried to turn it over and it was as if the battery died. I let it sit a minute, tried it. It started right up and was no longer making the noise. I took it to the garage again, and they can't tell what's wrong but they could replace the engine because something is binding up he "can't see through metal." Also, it has been running rougher since it happened. Any ideas?

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

Based on your description of the problem it doesn't sound good. You may have internal engine damage like a spun bearing - camshaft, connecting rod or crankshaft. The mechanic should be able to perform some tests before deciding the engine needs replacing. Compression test may help and he can connect an external oil pressure gauge to check for bearing damage. Low oil pressure outside of GM specs is a sure sign of bearing damage.

[xeroinfinity]

internal high pitched squeals

So when the pan busted exactly how long did the engine continue to run?

Even if a bearing is bad, chances are it can be fixed with out buying a new engine.
As Bob said, they should be able to determine the troubles with a few tests.

[BNaylor]

Technically and according to the FSM theory once enough oil dumped out the oil level sending unit should have sent the signal to the PCM module to shut the engine off, however, I know for a fact doesn't doesn't always work right on GM 3400 engines.

In a similar incident but not an Alero my wife's friend ran over a curb with her Neon and had the same thing happen. She ran for about 30 feet before the engine shut down. Whole bottom part of the oil pan shattered. I replaced the oil pan and a filter/oil change along with some suspension components like control arm and that POS is still running today so you never really know.

BTW - The b%@ch still owes me $300 too.

[joshuahazard]

Thank you for the welcome.
After the bust, it ran for about 10-15 seconds. Oil continued to leak after the car was off waiting to be towed.
*Update*
Car is officially dead. I barely got it to the dealership. Most likely will need a new/used/rebuilt engine.

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by joshuahazard

Update*
Car is officially dead. I barely got it to the dealership. Most likely will need a new/used/rebuilt engine.

Sorry to hear that josh. Another 3.4 to the grave

Bob is right though, about it being hit or miss.
A dealer can probly hook you up with a good used/rebiult one. New, thats not cheap.

Good Luck

[joshuahazard]

Sweet Lou will live again

Insurance is putting in a used engine with only 43,000 miles on it. Only going to cost me a cool grand rather than $3500.

I'll let you guys know when it's done.

*update* She's fixed, just waiting for the insurance check.
*update* Got the car back. She's running great. We renamed her "Lou 2.0" She's also getting much better gas mileage, which is a sweet plus.