engine rattle

[Spamyore]

Ive got a 93 LeSabre 3.8L that rattles at idle (or thats the only time I can hear it). It sounds exactly like a worn timing chain on an old motorcycle if that helps any. The car runs pretty good for its age of 140,000mi. I just dont digg the noise. Any help is greatly appreciated.
THX,

[maxwedge]

See if the crank balancer is coming apart from the inner hub.

[spinne1]

It seems pretty common for this engine to make a lot of valve tapping racket. Both of mine do it. It is slightly annoying but not too bad. I remember my uncle's 1963 Olds 98 that you literally could not tell if it was running or not sitting in the car. It was that smooth and quiet. Not the 3800 Series I.

I don't know what yours sounds like compared to mine. But it could be a loose chain contributing to the noise as well as maxwedge's suggestion.

[polarzak]

Originally Posted by spinne1

It seems pretty common for this engine to make a lot of valve tapping racket.

Well our 2000 3.8 must be an exception. It hardly makes a sound and it has over 150k miles on it. A real noisy engine was the 1995 Regal we had with a 3.1. That thing sounded like a diesel when cold but got a little quieter once warmed up. It was that way from new to over 200k when we traded it.

As for Spamyore's question, it could just be wear and tear on an older engine. Perhaps the oil pump is not putting out enough pressure at an idle, as that is the only time he hears the noise. This would make the engine a little "sloppy" when idling. Sounds are difficult to diagnose when acutally hearing an engine noise, and near impossible to diagnose over the Internet.

[spinne1]

Originally Posted by polarzak

Well our 2000 3.8 must be an exception. It hardly makes a sound and it has over 150k miles on it. A real noisy engine was the 1995 Regal we had with a 3.1. That thing sounded like a diesel when cold but got a little quieter once warmed up. It was that way from new to over 200k when we traded it.

As for Spamyore's question, it could just be wear and tear on an older engine. Perhaps the oil pump is not putting out enough pressure at an idle, as that is the only time he hears the noise. This would make the engine a little "sloppy" when idling. Sounds are difficult to diagnose when acutally hearing an engine noise, and near impossible to diagnose over the Internet.

The 2000 would not be the 3800 Series I and therefore is a different engine. It was redesigned for the 95/96 model years for GM. It was then called a 3800 Series II (which you undoubtedly have). It is no doubt a better engine than the Series I (and apparently quieter as well.)

[polarzak]

Originally Posted by spinne1

The 2000 would not be the 3800 Series I and therefore is a different engine. It was redesigned for the 95/96 model years for GM. It was then called a 3800 Series II (which you undoubtedly have). It is no doubt a better engine than the Series I (and apparently quieter as well.)

You are right. I had not considered that mine was the Series II.