99 grand am engine problems please help

[gnail1576]

The engine makes a clicking sound after the car warms up and it has bad acceleration. The engine has 108,000 miles and it's a V6. I just had the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets replaced 3000 miles ago. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[xeroinfinity]

Welcome to AF.

Possibly your lifters are the culprit, could have moisture in them from the previous coolant leak/gasket change.

I'd be asking the person(s) that worked on the LIM change.

You might be able to clear up the ticking with some Seafoam cleaner. Doesnt take much in your oil/crankcase.
http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUpTechGas.htm

Though I could also be the rocker arm or valve train, I wouldnt put it off to long, or you could damage something.

Good Luck

[gnail1576]

Thanks for the suggestion but it is still making the noise. What is the best way to check if the oil pump is working thanks

[xeroinfinity]

seeing if it has oil pressure with am oil pressure gauge.

If you dont hav one, you can rent buy one, or most shops should check it for pretty cheap, $50 or so.

But i'd be suspect of the lifters or rokcer arms being the culprit.

I'd take it back to who fixed the LIM gaskets!!

Good Luck

[gnail1576]

Hi just wondering how long it takes for the seafoam to work if its something that happens right away or does it need to be driven in order for it to work!

I Wish i could return the car to the shop were it was repaired but due to it being in another state wouldnt be worth driving all that way.


Also i qoated the milage wrong on the first post Ive only put 700 miles since the lim, But 500 mile was put on driving it back home. Then I drove it back and forth to work for may 200 when i notice the noise and parked it. Ive only been starting it to keep the battery charged.Do you think by driving it for the total of 700 miles could have done major damage with out oil pressure or do you think it would be worth changing the oil pump!!!! Thanks

Any help would greatly help me out

[xeroinfinity]

If you use 2-3oz of the Seafoam it might take it a couple days, 100 miles or so, and it should quiet them down. If not then you very well could hav other internal problems.

Can you actualy tell where its coming from ?
The valve covers or the lower part of the motor ?

Lifters are known to go bad on these and coolant leaks are usualy the cause.

The oil pump not a fun thing to change and probly not your problem here. You hav to remove the oil pan to access the bolt holding the pump in.

But if the repairs was done poorly and they didnt drain and clean out your oil pan you could have chunks of debrie stuck in, clogging your oil pump.

I would DEFINATLY call the place that repaired it !!
At least find out what all they did do while it was apart.

Also if your oil pressure is to low a light will illuminate on your dash and soon after that it will shut its self down to protect your motor.

[gnail1576]

Definately coming from the valve train. I talked to them and the flushed everything out while it was torn down. Sounds like it coming from the front valve cover looks like ill be taking that apart to see if I can visabley see any thing wrong thanks again.

[xeroinfinity]

yeah its pretty easy to pull off the valve cover on the front.
Probly a rocker arm too loose or to tight...
You'll probly see what's wrong by visualy inspecting everything.

Keep me posted.

[gnail1576]

Took it apart I didnt see any thing that looked bad . When I did take the valve cover off i noticed that there wasnt any oil being pumped up to the valve train if I were to start the engine with the valve cover off it would be pretty aparent if there is oil pressure correct .. Also i found a motor out of a 2002 gt 3.4 will this be a pretty easy swap if it can be swaped out thanks

[xeroinfinity]

yeah with the valve covers off and running it should be spewing some oil everywhere.
Yuo should be able to figure out quickly where the noise is exactly coming from too.
But if its not pumping oil could be your push rods are clogged with gunk from the coolant leak. Those have to be clear, a small wire and air hose can clean them up if they are not rusting inside.

Good Luck