Oil Pressure Question? Need Some Insight

[thepremier]

I had a quick question about oil pressure. I recently had my car worked on because it wouldn't start, but when I got it back it sounded terrible.(it soundes like a really loud diesel engine). The mechanic said that he changed the timing chain, and that he had to replace the crank sensor. He said nothing else was damaged. Yeah I got it back and I was able to start it, but it sounded and drove so terrible that I haven't driven it sense. I noticed that the oil light continued to stay on while the car is on, so I changed the oil, and it continued to stay on. I was thinking that maybe it is not getting enough oil pressure. Could this the reason why the motor sounds so terrible? My mechanic said that the motor is on it's last leg, but I kind of find it hard to believe due to the fact that it was a good strong motor prior to having it repaired. Although maybe he could possibly be right, the car has 95,000 miles on it, but has been very well maintained by the prior owner and myself.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[pdzz]

The timing chain gear broke? What did he say caused the no start? Was the engine quiet before? In my experience as a tech, if it didn't make the noise before the repair and it makes it now, something got messed up. How did it quit? Need alot more info before a diagnosis. Phil

 

[Lee Thompson]

imo

The oil pump has lost it's prime.

 

[turbofabricator]

FIND A NEW MECHANIC!!!!! Now that that it said, he probably has the wrong timing cover gasket and it is sucking air instead of oil through the pump. DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR!! There is something SERIOUSLY wrong with it, and needs to have someone that knows what they are doing go through it. Maybe it has a sheared cam sensor (aka oil pump drive) gear roll pin. I would have a KNOWN good BUICK TURBO mechanic tear it apart and find the problem. You may not have ANY oil pressure at all. At least install a gauge and see what is happening. I personally would just remove the timing cover, before I tried anything else, just to have a look see. Also the oil pump pick-up screen might be clogged with timing gear fragments and head gasket material if it has ever blown a head gasket. Time for an EXPERIENCED turbo Buick mechanic to give it a diagnosis. But do NOT drive or even start the engine at all. Keep us posted.

 

[pdzz]

SEcond that!! Phil

 

[RICHIE HIGH PSI]

Location???

 

[83ttypecooled]

Hi,
What was done to this poor motor? The oil pump on our cars is incorporated into the timing chain cover. I can't believe the tech gave it back to you with zero pressure. I would NEVER have done such a thing.Don't even start it again until you resolve this problem. I believe the damage is already done, bearings and pistons have suffered greatly due to loss of oil pressure. You probably also Fd the rods and crank. I am very sorry for you. It is possible that the motor may live as it sits,once oil pressure is restored, but NEVER up to it's full potential.Find the issue, solve it, and please let us know the resolution. I would look hard at the relief valve in the pump assembly. I had some issues with a FWD 3.8 which alternately either blew the filter gasket or had zero pressure. By the way, Dorman sells a pretty good replacement.Good luck with your troubles!

 

[SouthernCal GN]

Before you tear into the engine, or have someone else repair it, get the mechanic you used to acknowledge that there is a problem, and an agreement that he will be responsible for the repair costs. Get this in WRITING.

If you proceed with repairs before your do this, the mechanic can claim that somebody else caused the damage, and you may have a heck of a fight on your hands.

That being said, you're dealing with a wrench who is apparently not familiar with these cars; further, any mech who releases a car to a customer in the condition you received it should turn in his wrenches. It's a good bet that there's been substantial damage internally (bearings, etc), and you don't want to be left with the bill- again.

 

[bison]

This is BS! that mechanic needs to be slapped in the head. I am willing to bet the oil pump is pumping air. You will need to have the pan dropped to inspect but i would contact the garage and try to make them pay. You will probably wind up with a lawsuit because they will say you must have done it after they "repaired" it. Hopefully the mileage is very close to when it left the garage. I would be ready with a digital camera and at least one good technician familiar with TR's that will testify against those a-holes.

 

[87GNSteve]

That guy ruined your engine. And sorry to say you driving it didnt help it any.
I aree w/ Lee and Turbofab about possiblities.
Dont bring these cars to mechanics who only work on 4 cyl Toyotas etc.