2000 Buick Century - Ticking Motor

Nitramjr · #1 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 04:32 PM

My parent's 2000 Buick Century (3.1 V6) has an annoying ticking sound. Sounds like a noisy lifter. The car has 44,000 miles showing and has been making the noise for at least 3 1/2 years which is only about 10k miles.

The car runs great, doesn't burn oil, has plenty of power and gets great gas mileage when actually driven more than 30 miles an hour. The noise is very noticeable at idle and when cold but when you romp on it, it sounds perfectly normal.

I am thinking of acquiring this car so I can take it to school in the spring (1500 mile trip each way). I'm not terribly worried about it but when I head out I will only have two days to get there - not enough time to screw with a breakdown.

So, the question: Are there any known issues with these motors. It certainly sounds like top end but what do I know?

Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks

Frankenbiker · #2 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 06:06 PM

Lifter, maybe; check all the exhaust manifold bolts to make sure one hasn't loosened or snapped. At idle, a loose exhaust manifold bolt can sound remarkably like a stuck lifter.

-blaine

Ford_Six · #3 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 06:11 PM

Known issues include intake gasket problems and timing chain issues. The intake gasket leaks internally, and the coolant wipes the bearings. Dex-Cool turns very acidic before the 100k factory recommended change interval, and I highly doubt it's ever been changed with that low of mileage.

Nitramjr · #4 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 06:34 PM

Thanks Blaine - I will check the exhaust manifold bolts.

Jared - thanks also. I've flushed and changed the anti-freeze twice in this car. Once in 2006 when I took it to Biloxi last and this past summer. It doesn't seem to be losing any. Also, there is no sign of coolant contamination in the oil.

Thanks again. Any other suggestions appreciated.

Anyone know how hard/expensive changing intake gaskets are? And can a bad intake gasket be diagnosed with a vacuum gauge?

Old93junk · #5 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 08:04 PM

I go with the exhaust manifold area leak, I had a 350 Chevy that had a hairline crack in the exhaust manifold, It sounded so like a lifter I was ready to tear the engine down.

mercman86 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:47 PM

CHECK THAT INTAKE! Every one of those motors that I have come in contact with has leaked like crazy. Guy i work with has a 99 grand am and the gasket has been replaced TWICE and still leaks!

bigblock_drock · #7 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 10:29 PM

i dont remember how much the gaskets costs but it IS a timely job! not hard if you kno wat your doing but deff not a fun one.

but those motors have a piston slap "problem" they all do and i wouldnt worry esp it hasnt gotten worsee

Nitramjr · #8 (**permalink**) 11-09-2009, 11:23 AM

Piston slap? You know, I think we may be onto something. I hadn't thought of that.

I checked the anti-freeze and it hasn't dropped a bit since I changed it this past summer. The oil looks good as new and there is no sign of any coolant in the oil (dipstick or fill cap). If coolant is getting into the oil, I can't see it.

I drove the hell out of this car this weekend and it is strong and smooth running. I'll put a vacuum gauge and real oil-pressure gauge on it and see if that tells me anything.

Thanks again.