DOCH Alien Technology?

[v-man59]

I just bought a 94 Cutlass convt. w/ 3.4 DOHC. I have always loved the look of these cars and they are hard to find in my area. The car has been pretty well cared for over the years and still runs well. It has 150K, but I've been told this isn't high mileage for a 3.4. Anyway, it has some valve train clatter in the front bank. I suspect a bad lifter. I start taking it around to some local garages and everytime I open the hood the mechanics give me a strange look and say something like " I ahh haven't seen anything like this before, but I can give it a try. NO THANKS! You'd think this motor was some kind of alien technology. So, since I'm new to this DOHC scene myself I thought I'd ask all of you for some help. I want to get this problem fixed before driving the car much. I could take it to the local GM dealer, but I haven't had the best luck there in the past. I tried changing the oil and using lucas oil treatment, but that hasn't helped much. Any suggestion would be appreciated. We have emissions testing here as parts of the vehicle inspection, and the tech. said the car was buring "very clean" so I think whatever the clatter is the valves must all be working fine.

[SappySE107]

Don't use lucas additives. You could be hearing lifters or fuel injectors, and I really can't tell you either way without hearing it. If its lifters, you will have to pull the carriers and retime the cams. We have a walkthrough on the site under motors > DOHC > Maintenance. It doesn't involve pulling the cam carriers usually though. If you have to pay someone to work on it, you shouldn't have bought the car. Its an expensive engine to work on and most places will fuck it up

[v-man59]

Well, thanks for your honesty. But I have it now and will have to deal with it.
Is there an additive that's good? Or something you'd try before pulling the carriers?

[patgizz]

get a stethoscope and try to isolate the noise. pull the injector cover off the front(the black plastic thing that says 3.4 dohc v6 on it) and stethoscope on each injector. try it on each intake port where it goes into the head, and each exhaust port on the manifold, doing so will help isolate the cylinder making the noise.

in my experience lots of times people mistake clacking injectors for valvetrain noise.

[SappySE107]

I use a screwdriver to me ear to locate noises.

[RednBlack]

True Pat. The motor is not really that complicated. But in Joe Bob's Mechanic Shack, it probably is a little intimidating. "What the hell is that thang?"

Either way, it is a good find. Cutty Ragtops are getting rare, especially with the LQ1. (DOHC)

Explore the site some v man. More info here, than on all the web. High maintenance engine though.

Screwdriver? Works for me!!

[v-man59]

Thanks, I appreciate everyones help. I will try to isolate the noise further. I don't mind if I have to spend some money on the car. It is really clean and in overall good condition and I only gave 1200.00 for it. The previous owner had the car since 98 and is in 70's, he said most of the miles are hiway miles from vacations. It is all orig. no mods. Assuming it has been properly maintained, is 150,000k high milage on a LQ1?

[tijuana_no]

v-man what location of texas you are , that is a good price for that car.i have a 93 i have the same problem with mechanics. i have found 2 mech ,but are expensive.good luck ,if even want to get rid of the cutlass give a shout.

[stuffy236]

where in texas are you from?

[v-man59]

Just North of Austin!

[stuffy236]

well I'm in San Marcos if you ever need someone to help you turn a wrench. Not much exp with TDC's but I can hold my own doing some basic stuff. I work a lot, but I usually have saturdays off.

[tijuana_no]

i live in beatifull houston,it's nice to see people from wonderfull tx. in here.scuffy what you drive.

[stuffy236]

01 Grand Prix GT