what happened to this engine

[OverRide]

I posted this in general, but now realize it belong in here, so i'm reposting it here.

Ok so i just picked up a car, beater sort of 97 grand am. i bought it with a bad engine. the lady said the kid forgot to change the oil. i look at sticker on the window, i look at odometer there is a little less then 6k difference. Ok not the worse case i've seen i know people that go all winter without changin their oil. I put a different battery in and start it. engine is making a loud knocking noise, like if i was to take a hammer and hit the block with it. I looked at the dipstick, oil was thick and wayyyyyyyyyyy tooo much in there. I drain it, its think, its brown, it looks like there is coolant in the oil. what do you guys think happened to it???? try to salvage this engine or get a different one, possibly a 2001 since they are so much cheaper then the ones for 96-98. any and all suggestions welcome. thanks a ton guys.


ohhh its a 97 gt 3100

[SappySE107]

Id say the lower intake gasket leaked coolant into the engine which went to the oil pan. Just get a new motor since they are cheap enough. That one might have rebuild potential but not when you can get a large runner engine for less than the cost of a rebuild.

[OverRide]

so your saying all i would need is the gasket. what the hell is that loud knocking sound i hear, like hammering on engine. also, will a 2001 out of grand prix replace this motor well? any differences in accessories or sensors.

[Doubt_Incarnate]

too much coolant where oil should have been, not enough lube. the noise is a rod knocking because of excessive wear on the bearing surface due to lack of oil.

[tractorman]

Yup, that engine is toast. You COULD fix it... with a complete rebuild including turning the crank, etc... but you'd be better off to go find a good used engine.

Why are the newer engines cheaper? The EGR setup will be different on the newer engine, but I don't think there's much difference otherwise. I know people have made adapters for that, but I have yet to see one. Send pics if you go that route.

[OverRide]

i dont know, i can't find a 97-98 engine for less then 500, i can get a 01 for 350 or so.

also, i was under the impression that 96+ or somethink like that had all the same egr setup. i though the 95 and older had a different one.

[GutlessSupreme]

EGR bolt up differences: 87-95s, 96-99, and 00+

[tractorman]

You're right about that EGR- that was a brain-fart on my part.

But here's something to chew on. Are the injectors the same? I had a '96 3100, and its injectors were different from my '01 3100. Don't know if it'd matter or not.