I know it is kind of long but please help me, I am a college kid and cant afford to take it to a mechanic, I have to fix it.

Alright Ill try to get you all of the information so that you can hopefully help me figure out what is going on with my engine.

first, before the problem there was a slight squeking noise almost coming from the left lower side of the engine. It almost sounded like what a throw out bearing sounds like.(had that problem before on another car) anyways nothing major really.

alright now the teeth cringer...I was driving on the interstate and there was a guy in the left lane and he wouldnt get over blah, blah, blah. anyways I gunned it to get around him and thats when I shifted into drive from overdrive just to play around a little for a bit more power and thats when there was a loud pop and not back fire pop and bad pop. That is when the engine lost power, oil pressure fell, and temp started to sky rocket. It eventually died and I pulled it over.

After a few minutes I started it back up and started driving but it did not feel right and almost felt like the torque converter was bad. so I pulled it over not wanting to tear anything up.

While I was driving it the second time trying to get off the interstate I was taking note of the gauges they were all red and oil pressure maybe got up to 15, oil and water temp was terribly high and volts were not acting right. thats when I called AAA. (my savior)

So that is what happened. This afternoon it started up slugishly to be able to back it in the garage.

thats the whole story, the only other thing I can think of is the very pungent burnt oil smell but not one place when oil is leaking and i spent a good amount of time checking. the oil is where is should be also. I am at a loss of words. I can do the mechanical fix I have rebuilt a good amount of engines but I am terrible at trying to diagnose the problem while its in the car.

SO PLEASE ANYBODY HELP ME TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. I would appreciate it so much being I am a college kid and cant afford this bad of a fix by someone else. thank you

 

I'm not all too great at diagnosing engine probs, especially site unseen, but I might try by pulling engine codes to see if you can piece together an order of failure....and I wouldn't be cranking her over at all. I'd have called AAA the moment she failed.

 

Sounds like a rod may have flown the coop. Ouch

 

Spun bearing, that's what the squeaking was you heard.

 

It's a goner.

 

As stated, check for stored codes first.
Read this and get back to us. http://members.shaw.ca/corvette86/No...it%20Check.pdf

 

If you lost oil pressure (i.e. less than 10psi per 1000 rpm) and overheated suddenly it kinda sounds like you have two pretty big problems..

First.. check the condition of the oil.. i.e. does it look like a chocolate milkshake? or are there any milkshake looking spots on the dipstick.. second check the radiator fluid for black spots floating (pull the radiator cap off and take a peak (make sure engine is cool when you do this). if either of those conditions exist probably popped a head gasket. Also, if you oil level is really high (i.e. a ton of water mixed in it - way past the fill mark)that is equally bad and could be a sign of a cracked block.

another question.. does the engine knock? that would also be not good.. (spun bearing). I've blow a fair share of engines in the past and have rarely heard a pop from just a spun bearing.. I;'ve only heard a pop when the connecting rod let go in my old caprice and the piston smacked the head.. then the other rod half locked the crank which broke in two pieces.. total engine failure.



some car history would help.. how many miles.. how long have you owned it.. further describe the knocking (in detail)..


but.. my initial thoughts are that the engine is a goner. ..


On the bright side.. it could also be a couple of bent pushrods and broken valve springs.. but that wouldn't explain the overheating...

 

Any metal in your oil pan?
Any oil left in the engine?

This doesn't sound good.

Oops, I missed the part about the oil being where it should be.

 

Sounds like it will just get worse. More than likely an internal engine failure/damage.
FIRST: Drain ALL fluids and check for cross contamination, metal filings, cut oil filter open, etc..
SECOND: Pull both valve covers and check for damage. Crank engine to see valvetrain movement. Watch for little or no movement compared to the majority. Listen for noises.
THIRD: Pull oil pan, windage tray, and pick-up plate off of oil pump. Check for metal particles/damage. Wiggle rods on the crankshaft for excessive play (try to compare all 8). Crank engine and watch for slop or noise from rods/pistons.
Check back with what you have found.
Good luck (maybe start pricing a rebuild kit?)!

 

I checked his profile, it's an 86.

this sounds really bad, sad to say.

Your best bet might be to diagnose this, and then buy a lower mileage used motor to swap in there. You are rather close to www.vette2vette.com... that would make shipping much cheaper.

 

It could be a lot of things...not sure about the loud pop......but a lot of what you describe could be head gasket......

Checking oil, coolant levels and condition would be a starting point...

Pressure check cooling system........then compression test

Lots of possibilities, but you need to start somewhere...

Good luck...

 

If it were me, I wouldn't be starting & running that engine until I had a better idea what the problem is - it sounds internal. I'm inclined to agree with the bad bearing/rod/piston thoughts. I know that pop and whenever I've heard it, I had a hole in a piston or a rod through the block.

Other things I'd check, besides what others have mentioned: Timing chain - did it jump? You sure the pop wasn't a backfire? Compression check (at least on 1-3-5-7). Good luck.

 

Checked the fluids and oil is black and anitfreeze is pure green. There is no mixing at all and the radiator is full and the oil is full. i can explain it. I really dont want to but I am just going to pull the engine.

 

that seems like an aweful lot of work, especially if it is just a blown head gasket...(this was my first guess, and from your original description, I think you said your heard 1 pop...???)

 

i'd check the basic engine timing in relation to the distributor, the number 1 intake and exhaust valves, and the crank harmonic balancer.
I'd pop the distributor out of there and check it.
Mark where the rotor is, and make sure it goes back in the same place. Check the pin on the drive end and the gear are ok. make sure the rotor screws are tight
Check the coil button in the cap.
Check the accessories in the front of the engine to make sure the belt is turning all of the accessories, and none are frozen. (ie the water pump)
unplug the distributor, and do a compression check. If compression is ok,
If you have to check the basic engine timing, you neeed to pull #1 spark plug, get a long thin aluminum dowel, bend it slightly so it slides into the cylinder when the piston is at the top of the cylinder.. (a coat hanger is ok too)
get a timing tape, and install it on the crankshaft harmonic balancer.
put the engine up on TDC.
slide the rod into the cylinder and use a 5/8 deep socket and a breaker bar on the front crank bolt, rock the engine so you are positive the piston is for sure at the top of the cylinder.
Check the timing tape so you are sure it reads 0* TDC, pull the left rocker cover, and see if the #1 cylinder rockers are loose,Intake and exhaust.
check to see where the distributor is pointing. (#1 plug wire)
If you need to be exact, on a iron head, use a magnetic mount for a dial indicator, and find out the cam specs, and mount the dial indicator, and meaure the movement of the exhaust valve and the intake valve to be sure the cam is where it should be.
if everything checks out, you need to pull the engine. if it doesn't, you need to pull the timing chain and replace it or keep troubleshooting.
make sure the pushrods are all on the rockers, etc.
Usually low oil pressure is a sign of bearing clearances, missing internal plugs behind the timing gears, or a bad or loose cam bearing set, lifter out of the bore, etc.
good luck