Long story on my 2002 9-3 SE auto.
We bought it (fix-er-u- car for the boy) knowing it had low oil pressure when it got hot (sludge, no doubt). I stethescoped the engine at all RPMs and it sounded great... had to be sludge... loaded the car up and took it home for repairs... nice car, 87k miles.
Home... dropped the oil pan (oh-joy that is)... then tore into the pan. Took off the lid to the pickup screen and "What the hell?!"
Here's what I found (see first pictures).
Attachment 47802
Attachment 47810
OMG! What the hell is that? How did that get UNDER the pan? Then we pulled the pickup tube off and yes, sludge and shrapnel! See pic... OMG! Main bearing shrapnel! Waaa-haaaaa...... (see pic).
Attachment 47818
Wait! There's more, what is that plastic piece? Why, it looks like a piece of a cam-chain follower... oh-no!
So we dig around and it is very clear that this car has a new head on it, new cam chain and new followers. That follower piece is obviously a remnant from before the repair.
I find one main bearing (#4) that has pieces of metal sticking out the side and pull the cap off. Here's that pic of the main bearing:
Attachment 47794
But... praise the Lord, the crank is smooth and the bearings had not yet spun (pic).
Attachment 47826
Now for the Sherlock part (I need help). What is that big part that was in my oil pan? The number is 917223Q/6631. Now a search shows that 9172230 is a balance shaft bushing, but this part is clearly ending with a Q. And, this part obviously was not one solid cast piece, but it sure looks like a balance shat bushing.
If it is a balance shaft bushing, how the heck did it get into the oil pan (below the pickup pan lid)? When the previous mechanic replaced the cam chain/tensioners did he do the balance bushings and drop one? It is clear that no one has ever dropped the pan before, so maybe they were just lazy? I'm still not convinced it is a balance shaft bushiing. I don't know what it is. Anyone?
What do I do now? I'm planning on replacing the crank bearings and the rod bearing (since the car did run low on oil pressure). I'm fairly certain I bought the car just before the main bearings completely failed and spun, ruining the motor. Good thing I didn't test drive it....
The car has had recent work so I don't think it was neglected, just had crummy mechanics (or lazy ones). Car has new brakes, new head, new cam chain, new followers, new starter, new battery and is in very straight shape... a little dirty inside. If I can save this motor, it is a great buy for $1,200.... if I can't... bad gamble.
Looking for advice, any Sherlocks out there?
John in Utah.
We bought it (fix-er-u- car for the boy) knowing it had low oil pressure when it got hot (sludge, no doubt). I stethescoped the engine at all RPMs and it sounded great... had to be sludge... loaded the car up and took it home for repairs... nice car, 87k miles.
Home... dropped the oil pan (oh-joy that is)... then tore into the pan. Took off the lid to the pickup screen and "What the hell?!"
Here's what I found (see first pictures).
Attachment 47802
Attachment 47810
OMG! What the hell is that? How did that get UNDER the pan? Then we pulled the pickup tube off and yes, sludge and shrapnel! See pic... OMG! Main bearing shrapnel! Waaa-haaaaa...... (see pic).
Attachment 47818
Wait! There's more, what is that plastic piece? Why, it looks like a piece of a cam-chain follower... oh-no!
So we dig around and it is very clear that this car has a new head on it, new cam chain and new followers. That follower piece is obviously a remnant from before the repair.
I find one main bearing (#4) that has pieces of metal sticking out the side and pull the cap off. Here's that pic of the main bearing:
Attachment 47794
But... praise the Lord, the crank is smooth and the bearings had not yet spun (pic).
Attachment 47826
Now for the Sherlock part (I need help). What is that big part that was in my oil pan? The number is 917223Q/6631. Now a search shows that 9172230 is a balance shaft bushing, but this part is clearly ending with a Q. And, this part obviously was not one solid cast piece, but it sure looks like a balance shat bushing.
If it is a balance shaft bushing, how the heck did it get into the oil pan (below the pickup pan lid)? When the previous mechanic replaced the cam chain/tensioners did he do the balance bushings and drop one? It is clear that no one has ever dropped the pan before, so maybe they were just lazy? I'm still not convinced it is a balance shaft bushiing. I don't know what it is. Anyone?
What do I do now? I'm planning on replacing the crank bearings and the rod bearing (since the car did run low on oil pressure). I'm fairly certain I bought the car just before the main bearings completely failed and spun, ruining the motor. Good thing I didn't test drive it....
The car has had recent work so I don't think it was neglected, just had crummy mechanics (or lazy ones). Car has new brakes, new head, new cam chain, new followers, new starter, new battery and is in very straight shape... a little dirty inside. If I can save this motor, it is a great buy for $1,200.... if I can't... bad gamble.
Looking for advice, any Sherlocks out there?
John in Utah.