Diagnosis And Testing: Mechanical
WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.
ENGINE MECHANICAL DIAGNOSIS CHART
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE NOISE | 1. Worn accessory drive belt | 1. Check for damage and/or alignment. |
| 2. Worn water 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 | 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 ENGINE OIL AND FILTER CHANGE . | |
| 3. Low oil pressure | 3. Check engine oil level. If ok, perform engine oil pressure test. Refer to CHECKING ENGINE OIL PRESSURE . | |
| 4. Excessive aeration of the oil | 4. Change the engine oil and filter. | |
| 5. Air trapped in the lash adjuster(s) | 5. Follow the "Lifter Purge Guideline" shown below. | |
| 6. Exhaust manifold leak | 6. Inspect exhaust manifolds, fasteners, and gaskets for possible leaks. | |
| 7. Bent push rod(s) | 7. Install new push rods. | |
| 8. Worn rocker arms | 8. Inspect oil supply to rocker arms and replace worn arms as needed. | |
| 9. Debris in tappets/lash adjusters | 9. Clean/replace hydraulic tappets/lash adjusters. | |
| 10. Worn tappets/lash adjusters | 10. Install new hydraulic tappets/lash adjusters. | |
| 11. Worn valve guides | 11. Inspect all valve guides and replace as necessary. | |
| 12. Excessive runout of valve seats or valve faces | 12. 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 engine oil pressure test. Refer to CHECKING ENGINE OIL PRESSURE . | |
| 3. Thin or diluted oil | 3. Change oil to correct viscosity. Refer to ENGINE OIL AND FILTER CHANGE . | |
| 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 engine oil pressure test. Refer to CHECKING ENGINE OIL PRESSURE . | |
| 3. Thin or diluted oil | 3. Change oil to correct viscosity. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. Make up air hose may be plugged or Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve may be inoperative | 10. Check make up air hose to assure there is no blockage and verify PCV valve for proper function. | |
| OIL LEAKS | 1. Misaligned or deteriorated gaskets/seals | 1. Replace gasket/seal. |
| 2. Loose fastener, 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. Defective valve stem seal(s) | 1. Repair or replace seal(s). |
| 2. Worn or broken piston rings | 2. Hone cylinder bores. Install new rings. | |
| 3. Scuffed pistons/cylinder walls | 3. Hone cylinder bores and replace pistons as required. | |
| 4. Carbon in oil control ring groove | 4. Remove rings and de-carbon piston. | |
| 5. Worn valve guides | 5. Inspect/replace valve guides as necessary. | |
| 6. Piston rings fitted too tightly in grooves | 6. Remove rings and check ring end gap and side clearance. Replace if necessary. | |
| 7. PCV system not operating properly | 7. Replace PCV valve and check all PCV plumbing for leaks or blockages. |
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.NOTE:
Use a feeler gauge to verify clearance is present between the lifter and cam base circle.
- Evaluate the noise. If noise present, follow standard service procedure for lifter repairs or noise conditions.
- Evaluate lifters for sponginess, check valve defects, and clearance.