HELP...Olds Cutlass w/ 3.1L making "noisy lifter" sound...

[Will]

Hey,

Got a problem with my 3.1L 1998 Cutlass. When cranked stone cold
makes a noisy lifter sound. The sound remains forever after the
initial stone cold crank. Though after shutting it down AFTER the
engine has been warmed to operating tempertures and then allowed to
sit for more than ten minutes and then re-cranked the sound is gone
completely.

My first guess is that their is a faulty lifter with some crap in the
oiling hole and won't fill when oil is stone cold. For some strange
reason the lifter never completely fills after the oil is very warm
after the initial stone cold crank. Though when the engine is allowed
to sit for awhile with hot oil in the engine it fills up just fine.
What is the experts take? Please help.

Also, I've already pulled the manifolds and valve covers off. I need
help in identifing the "bad" lifter. I know, I know...should have
pulled only the covers off and fired up the engine and used a
stethiscope to isolate the lifter, but I couldn't get both covers off
with out taking everthing off the top of the motor...so a little late
for that. HELP!

Stu

[noname]

Piston slap, Piston slap, Piston slap

Post by Will
Hey,
Got a problem with my 3.1L 1998 Cutlass. When cranked stone cold
makes a noisy lifter sound. The sound remains forever after the
initial stone cold crank. Though after shutting it down AFTER the
engine has been warmed to operating tempertures and then allowed to
sit for more than ten minutes and then re-cranked the sound is gone
completely.
My first guess is that their is a faulty lifter with some crap in the
oiling hole and won't fill when oil is stone cold. For some strange
reason the lifter never completely fills after the oil is very warm
after the initial stone cold crank. Though when the engine is allowed
to sit for awhile with hot oil in the engine it fills up just fine.
What is the experts take? Please help.
Also, I've already pulled the manifolds and valve covers off. I need
help in identifing the "bad" lifter. I know, I know...should have
pulled only the covers off and fired up the engine and used a
stethiscope to isolate the lifter, but I couldn't get both covers off
with out taking everthing off the top of the motor...so a little late
for that. HELP!
Stu

[Will]

Problem with that idea is that the engine still ticks long after it is
warm and the piston should have long ago expanded into place. It
started making that sound abruptly too. Not like it grew over time.
One second it wasn't making any noise. Next second it was making
noise. Opinions/advice greatly appreciated.

Post by noname
Piston slap, Piston slap, Piston slap

Post by Will
Hey,
Got a problem with my 3.1L 1998 Cutlass. When cranked stone cold
makes a noisy lifter sound. The sound remains forever after the
initial stone cold crank. Though after shutting it down AFTER the
engine has been warmed to operating tempertures and then allowed to
sit for more than ten minutes and then re-cranked the sound is gone
completely.
My first guess is that their is a faulty lifter with some crap in the
oiling hole and won't fill when oil is stone cold. For some strange
reason the lifter never completely fills after the oil is very warm
after the initial stone cold crank. Though when the engine is allowed
to sit for awhile with hot oil in the engine it fills up just fine.
What is the experts take? Please help.
Also, I've already pulled the manifolds and valve covers off. I need
help in identifing the "bad" lifter. I know, I know...should have
pulled only the covers off and fired up the engine and used a
stethiscope to isolate the lifter, but I couldn't get both covers off
with out taking everthing off the top of the motor...so a little late
for that. HELP!
Stu

[Al Haunts]

Don't be too quick to jump on the 'piston slap' bandwagon. IIRC this
problem began to get serious with late 1999 model 3.1's. He's got a
1998 so maybe some other cause??

Regards, Al.


On Thu, 11 Sep 2003 14:51:09 GMT, "noname"

Post by noname
Piston slap, Piston slap, Piston slap

Post by Will
Hey,
Got a problem with my 3.1L 1998 Cutlass. When cranked stone cold
makes a noisy lifter sound. The sound remains forever after the
initial stone cold crank. Though after shutting it down AFTER the
engine has been warmed to operating tempertures and then allowed to
sit for more than ten minutes and then re-cranked the sound is gone
completely.
My first guess is that their is a faulty lifter with some crap in the
oiling hole and won't fill when oil is stone cold. For some strange
reason the lifter never completely fills after the oil is very warm
after the initial stone cold crank. Though when the engine is allowed
to sit for awhile with hot oil in the engine it fills up just fine.
What is the experts take? Please help.
Also, I've already pulled the manifolds and valve covers off. I need
help in identifing the "bad" lifter. I know, I know...should have
pulled only the covers off and fired up the engine and used a
stethiscope to isolate the lifter, but I couldn't get both covers off
with out taking everthing off the top of the motor...so a little late
for that. HELP!
Stu

[Brad Clarke]

Post by Al Haunts
Don't be too quick to jump on the 'piston slap' bandwagon. IIRC this
problem began to get serious with late 1999 model 3.1's. He's got a
1998 so maybe some other cause??

The latest piston slap problem started in 1999, but I've heard others
say it started as early as 1995.

[shiden_kai]

Post by Al Haunts
Don't be too quick to jump on the 'piston slap' bandwagon. IIRC this
problem began to get serious with late 1999 model 3.1's. He's got a
1998 so maybe some other cause??

There are bulletins referring to piston "noise" that address
vehicles as far back as 94 when it comes to the 3100/3400
engines. Back then, they deemed the noise to be coming
from the piston pin, and now it's become a piston "slap"
issue. The fix for the 94-99 was replacing the piston
and pin assembly due to "excessive" clearance between
the piston and pin, and the fix for the 2000 and up was
a changeup piston design with 'polymer' coated pistons.

Ian

[Will]

Well, I looked at the lifters and even took them apart. They are all
stuck! I couldn't get the guts out of any of them. I mean they are
all completely frozen. Now, I'm sure the strength of the motor could
work them, but they appear gunked to hell and back. I sent them all
off to be rebuilt. Only $2.25 per as oppose to $15 new. When I get
the back I will just reinstall and get that piece of sh!t going. If
it is still making that noise I'm not sure what to do.

When you mention the piston slap issue will GM fix for free? ;) Was
it a recall?

Stu

[Brad Clarke]

Post by Will
When you mention the piston slap issue will GM fix for free? ;) Was
it a recall?

No it wasn't a recall., just an all too common problem with the
1999-2002 (2003?) 3.1L.

If your vehicle is under warranty, and the slapping lasts for more than
4 1/2 minutes, you'll get new pistons or possibly a new engine,
depending on how much damage has been done.

If it's out of warranty and you decide to get the work done, you get a
big bill :)

Brad

[tony burchard]

responding to
http://www.motorsforum.com/gm/help-olds-cutlass-w-3-1l-making-noisy-lifter-sound-55352-.htm

Post by Will
Hey,
Got a problem with my 3.1L 1998 Cutlass. When cranked stone cold
makes a noisy lifter sound. The sound remains forever after the
initial stone cold crank. Though after shutting it down AFTER the
engine has been warmed to operating tempertures and then allowed to
sit for more than ten minutes and then re-cranked the sound is gone
completely.
My first guess is that their is a faulty lifter with some crap in the
oiling hole and won't fill when oil is stone cold. For some strange
reason the lifter never completely fills after the oil is very warm
after the initial stone cold crank. Though when the engine is allowed
to sit for awhile with hot oil in the engine it fills up just fine.
What is the experts take? Please help.
Also, I've already pulled the manifolds and valve covers off. I need
help in identifing the "bad" lifter. I know, I know...should
have
pulled only the covers off and fired up the engine and used a
stethiscope to isolate the lifter, but I couldn't get both covers off
with out taking everthing off the top of the motor...so a little late
for that. HELP!
Stu

[Ashton Crusher]

Weren't they notorious for piston slap when cold?

On Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:08:01 +0000, tony burchard

Post by tony burchard
responding to
http://www.motorsforum.com/gm/help-olds-cutlass-w-3-1l-making-noisy-lifter-sound-55352-.htm

Post by Will
Hey,
Got a problem with my 3.1L 1998 Cutlass. When cranked stone cold
makes a noisy lifter sound. The sound remains forever after the
initial stone cold crank. Though after shutting it down AFTER the
engine has been warmed to operating tempertures and then allowed to
sit for more than ten minutes and then re-cranked the sound is gone
completely.
My first guess is that their is a faulty lifter with some crap in the
oiling hole and won't fill when oil is stone cold. For some strange
reason the lifter never completely fills after the oil is very warm
after the initial stone cold crank. Though when the engine is allowed
to sit for awhile with hot oil in the engine it fills up just fine.
What is the experts take? Please help.
Also, I've already pulled the manifolds and valve covers off. I need
help in identifing the "bad" lifter. I know, I know...should
have
pulled only the covers off and fired up the engine and used a
stethiscope to isolate the lifter, but I couldn't get both covers off
with out taking everthing off the top of the motor...so a little late
for that. HELP!
Stu

[Paul in Houston TX]

Post by Ashton Crusher
Weren't they notorious for piston slap when cold?
On Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:08:01 +0000, tony burchard

Post by tony burchard
responding to
http://www.motorsforum.com/gm/help-olds-cutlass-w-3-1l-making-noisy-lifter-sound-55352-.htm

Will posted on
September 10, 2003, 1:21 pm
rate this thread

Hopefully it's fixed by now.
:)

[Ashton Crusher]

On Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:38:35 -0600, Paul in Houston TX

Post by Paul in Houston TX

Post by Ashton Crusher
Weren't they notorious for piston slap when cold?
On Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:08:01 +0000, tony burchard

Post by tony burchard
responding to
http://www.motorsforum.com/gm/help-olds-cutlass-w-3-1l-making-noisy-lifter-sound-55352-.htm

Will posted on
September 10, 2003, 1:21 pm
rate this thread
Hopefully it's fixed by now.
:)

These groups are so dead you have to take what you can get :-)

[g***@gmail.com]

Post by Ashton Crusher
On Sat, 08 Dec 2012 18:38:35 -0600, Paul in Houston TX

Post by Paul in Houston TX

Post by Ashton Crusher
Weren't they notorious for piston slap when cold?
On Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:08:01 +0000, tony burchard

Post by tony burchard
responding to
http://www.motorsforum.com/gm/help-olds-cutlass-w-3-1l-making-noisy-lifter-sound-55352-.htm

Will posted on
September 10, 2003, 1:21 pm
rate this thread
Hopefully it's fixed by now.
:)

These groups are so dead you have to take what you can get :-)

Well.....

These groups are mostly discussing dead issues and dead companies that are more or less living a zombie existance.

It is probably for a hope of seeing some revival that we do continue to look in once in a while.

I would love to see some real change into good technology and real progress happening.

We are still mostly seeing more of same old same old and mostly related to inferior management and stupid corrupt whatever....