Engine Mechanical Diagnosis Chart
WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE NOISE | 1. Worn accessory drive belt | 1. Check for belt damage and alignment. Refer to BELT, SERPENTINE, DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
. |
| 2. Worn coolant pump | 2. Check for possible coolant leak. If OK, Check the pulley and input shaft for wear. Replace as necessary. | |
| 3. Worn generator | 3. Check the pulley for wear. Spin the armature. Replace as necessary. | |
| 4. Idler/Tensioner pulley | 4. Check pulleys. Verify bearing noise. Replace as necessary. | |
| 5. Power steering pump (if equipped) | 5. Check the pulley and input shaft for wear. Replace as necessary. | |
| 6. Flywheel/Flexplate | 6. Check for wear or possible cracking. Check bolts. Repair as necessary. | |
| NOISY VALVES/LIFTERS | 1. High or low oil level in crankcase. | 1. Check for correct oil level. Adjust oil level by draining or adding as needed. |
| 2. Thin or diluted oil. | 2. Change oil. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE . | |
| 3. Low oil pressure. | 3. Check engine oil level. If OK, perform oil pressure test. Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . | |
| 4. Dirt in hydraulic lifters. | 4. Clean/replace hydraulic lifters. | |
| 5. Bent push rod(s). | 5. Install new push rods. | |
| 6. Worn rocker arms. | 6. Inspect oil supply to rocker arms and replace worn arms as needed. | |
| 7. Worn hydraulic lifters. | 7. Install new hydraulic lifters. | |
| 8. Worn valve guides. | 8. Inspect all valve guides and replace as necessary. | |
| 9. Excessive runout of valve seats or valve faces. | 9. Grind valves and seats. | |
| CONNECTING ROD NOISE | 1. Insufficient oil supply. | 1. Check engine oil level. |
| 2. Low oil pressure. | 2. Check engine oil level. If OK, perform oil pressure test. Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . | |
| 3. Thin or diluted oil. | 3. Change oil to correct viscosity. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE . | |
| 4. Excessive connecting rod bearing clearance. | 4. Measure bearings for correct clearance with plasti-gage. Repair as necessary. | |
| 5. Connecting rod journal out of round. | 5. Replace crankshaft or grind journals. | |
| 6. Misaligned connecting rods. | 6. Replace bent connecting rods. | |
| MAIN BEARING NOISE | 1. Insufficient oil supply. | 1. Check engine oil level. |
| 2. Low oil pressure. | 2. Check engine oil level. If OK, perform oil pressure test. Refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING . | |
| 3. Thin or diluted oil. | 3. Change oil to correct viscosity. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE . | |
| 4. Excessive main bearing clearance. | 4. Measure bearings for correct clearance. Repair as necessary. | |
| 5. Excessive end play. | 5. Check crankshaft thrust bearing for excessive wear on flanges. | |
| 6. Crankshaft main journal out of round or worn. | 6. Grind journals or replace crankshaft. | |
| 7. Loose flexplate, flywheel or torque converter. | 7. Inspect crankshaft, flexplate, flywheel and bolts for damage. Tighten to correct torque. | |
| LOW OIL PRESSURE | 1. Low oil level. | 1. Check oil level and fill if necessary. |
| 2. Faulty oil pressure sending unit. | 2. Install new sending unit. | |
| 3. Clogged oil filter. | 3. Install new oil filter. | |
| 4. Worn oil pump. | 4. Replace oil pump assembly. | |
| 5. Thin or diluted oil. | 5. Change oil to correct viscosity. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE . | |
| 6. Excessive bearing clearance. | 6. Measure bearings for correct clearance. | |
| 7. Oil pump relief valve stuck. | 7. Remove valve to inspect, clean and reinstall. | |
| 8. Oil pickup tube loose, broken, bent or clogged. | 8. Inspect oil pickup tube and pump, and clean or replace if necessary. | |
| 9. Oil pump cover warped or cracked. | 9. Install new oil pump. | |
| 10. Faulty or missing piston cooling jets. | 10. Replace piston cooling jets. | |
| OIL LEAKS | 1. Misaligned or deteriorated gaskets. | 1. Replace gasket. |
| 2. Loose fastener or broken or porous metal part. | 2. Tighten, repair or replace the part. | |
| 3. Front or rear crankshaft oil seal leaking. | 3. Replace seal. | |
| 4. Leaking oil gallery plug or cup plug. | 4. Remove and reseal threaded plug. Replace cup style plug. | |
| EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION OR SPARK PLUGS OIL FOULED | 1. PCV System malfunction. | 1. Inspect the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system. |
| 2. Defective valve stem seal(s). | 2. Repair or replace seal(s). | |
| 3. Worn or broken piston rings. | 3. Hone cylinder bores. Install new rings. | |
| 4. Scuffed pistons/cylinder walls. | 4. Hone cylinder bores and replace pistons as required. | |
| 5. Carbon in oil control ring groove. | 5. Remove rings and de-carbon piston. | |
| 6. Worn valve guides. | 6. Inspect/replace valve guides as necessary. | |
| 7. Piston rings fitted too tightly in grooves. | 7. Remove rings and check ring end gap and side clearance. Replace if necessary. |
Lifter Purge Guideline
- Warm engine to standard idle conditions.NOTE:
Engine noise may be in the form of a clicking, chatter, or clattering noise.
- Listen to the engine for 30 to 60 seconds with the hood up and the engine cover removed.
- If noise is present, de-aeration of the lifters is required.
- Run the engine between 2000 and 3000 RPM for three to five minutes.
- Return the engine to standard idle speed for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Evaluate noise. If noise is present, repeat the run an additional 4 cycles.NOTE:
The standard drive cycle will be about 10-15 miles of non-stop, combined highway and city driving.
- If noise is present, take the vehicle on a standard drive cycle.
- Evaluate the noise. If noise present, follow standard service procedure for lifter repairs or noise conditions.
- Evaluate the lifters for sponginess, check valve defects, and clearance.