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My car may be dead

RandyCSVT

Hard-core CEG'er
Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
1,431
Location
Central FL
I am currently sitting in my office by myself waiting for a AAA tow flat bed. I left the office and got in my car excited about going home after a long day. I start the car and it sounds like somebody is clanging empty cans in my engine bay. I shut the car off and tried again, Same clanging nosie. I check the oil and it is at about the minimum line. It was halfway to full a week or two ago. I walk the 20 minutes each way to a gas station to get a quart of oil. Add the oil, start it, and it still sounds the same.

Here is were hindsight is a ******. I just remembered the car making a faint almost ticking sound just before my last oil change. The sound when away after I changed the oil and I let it go. A month or two later and here I am with a car that sounds like death.

I am towing it to the mechanic just to find out exactly what it is, but if it is anything expensive this car is getting parted out or turned into a 3L project. Either way I need a daily driver and this car is not doing so great. I may have to go car shopping soon. I would love the idea of a new car, but I was hoping I could buy it cause I wanted it, and not cause I needed it.
 
the car has 116700 miles. It just got towed to the repair shop this morning, because I had them tow it home last night. I will know what is wrong with it by tomorrow.
 
Man that sucks. If your motor has gone south as you suspect, going the 3.0L route would be alot cheaper than buying another car. Between CEG and NECO, I know there is someone experienced in Florida can help you with a 3L swap.
 
I will most likely go the 3L route. Parting it out would be a better option if CEG weren't full of lowballers who only want to buy half of something at next to nothing.

Either way I will have to get a new car if the motor has gone south. I cant wait the month or so it would take to get the parts needed and install a 3L.
 
I will most likely go the 3L route. Parting it out would be a better option if CEG weren't full of lowballers who only want to buy half of something at next to nothing.

Either way I will have to get a new car if the motor has gone south. I cant wait the month or so it would take to get the parts needed and install a 3L.

A month?! 3-5 business days for parts shipping and the install can easily be knocked out in a weekend. Unless your backordered on a part or need to wait for something special (ie prepped shortblock, head work, mechanic not available until..., etc) no reason with cash in hand you could not be back on the road in a week.
 
I am sure people on here have done it in a weekend, but it would take me much longer. I dont have the time or energy required to do this quickly. I would rather have this car turn into a project I could dedicate saturday mornings to.
 
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