Somewhat unique engine problem

[green91SHOPlus]

So I was driving through town, and my engine had pretty much locked up. I've had the infamous oil pressure light since I've had the car almost two months ago, but thanks to near-constant maintenance on the thing, I've only driven it maybe 3 1/2 weeks from me getting it to it "dying." When the engine locked up, it wasn't hot according to the temp gauge, and aside from start up, there was no rod knock. The motor turns over, but with a pretty decent amount of resistance. My question is, would it be worth trying to save this block? If I take care of the rod bearings and maybe pour a bit of oil in the cylinders and crank it a bit, would it make everything all hunky dory? Or do you think that it could lead to more serious problems down the road? I live in a trailer court, and contrary to common practice of most trailer courts, our landlord doesn't allow "junk cars". So we can't have a bench seat and bell housing sitting around in our yard. He just takes away all of the fun... I haven't any way to pull the motor, so I'm pondering alternatives. There's a white/mocha 93 atx with a bad tranny that's been sitting for a while in my town, so I've been thinking about trying a 3.2 swap. It's just money, time, and actual space to do it in. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[NWGRN94MTX]

You won't know what you have until you pull the pan and the bearing caps. If I where betting on it, it's time for the 3.2 swap.

 

[e_clouser]

I say it sounds like swap time also. I had a few people from the forum help me and had the swap done in a total of two days. Not a hard swap to do, just prepare for it. Start by getting the 3.2 out, serviced and ready for for the 3.0 parts. Do the research here on the forum on the possible problems, and all will go smoothly. Good Luck

 

[green91SHOPlus]

Thanks! I have four pulls under my belt, so it won't be much of anything new, haha. They were all done at a buddy's barn, but they're always doing things, so I'm in desperate need of a place to do it, haha. The engine isn't COMPLETELY locked up. It'll turn over, but just as if it literally wasn't lubricated enough. There's resistance and it's kinda chugging when it cranks. I haven't done it since it first happened, because if anything can be saved, I don't want to ruin it.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Yea, I will second that. This forum rocks.. because I am no mechanic, and somehow I swapped a block, and she's running great! Is there a possibility his problem could be a failed oil pump? I'm trying to imagine anything that could happen to it, and if his rod bearings are still pretty new, then what else could cause an engine to bind? Only thing I can think of is the tranny, (but its a 91) so if his clutch isnt acting up or anything, that leaves pistons, main bearings, and oil pump.

I'm no mechanic, but I'm wondering if say the bearings were bad in the pump, wouldnt the oil pressure begin to suffer? Maybe causing a blinking light? Before it destroys itself completely? Can't say i've heard of a bad oil pump tho. I suppose stranger things have happened.

 

[green91SHOPlus]

I guess I should clarify a few things. I had the oil pressure light at idle, so I'm assuming it needs rod bearings. But I didn't think it was too much of a pertinent issue because I didn't hear any rod knock at all. I only got the knock at start up and when it locked up a few days ago. The vehicle I have now is a 95 mtx. Green as well, though, haha. It turns over now. I unplugged the coil pack and tried it out. It seems to turn over normally now. I tried turning it with the coil pack plugged in, and it will fire and quickly sputter, but won't actually run. Bad plugs? Compression's suddenly shot? Maybe bad head gasket? I haven't pulled the plugs to check anything else out yet, but I will probably do that sometime later this week. Thank you all very much for your help on this and previous issues others and I have had.

 

[!vtec-this!]

I know what u should do.... buy this beauty LOL.

I gave it a buff this weekend w/ heavy cut compound, then glaze flowed by a sealer wax came out pretty nice considering what it was

 

[green91SHOPlus]

My jaw dropped to the floor, man. Hot $hit, I want my old car back!! Dammit! hahaha. Dude, if I had the money and time I would JUMP for that, believe me! Even if it was still flat and not polished I would. I depressed now :cry:

I'll trade you a somewhat dead 95 mtx for it! hahaha

I know what u should do.... buy this beauty LOL.

I gave it a buff this weekend w/ heavy cut compound, then glaze flowed by a sealer wax came out pretty nice considering what it was

 

[ohfosho]

pull the codes on both cars just for kicks. you may find code 211, the CPS sensor is shot...i wouldnt be surprised, happens to every SHO owner at sometime, unless they keep right up on preventative maintenance.

 

[green91SHOPlus]

The CPS was done just two weeks ago. The tach reads alright, and it didn't seem to misfire. Just running...odd. But I went out earlier this evening to give it a shot, and it turned fine and fired right up first turn! It idled for about three seconds with a very very slight miss, almost as if a cylinder wasn't firing. And then STOP. Haha. So the engine is officially locked up and not turning at all. Fun fun... I've got some 3.2 hunting to do, and I know the perfect place.

 

[green91SHOPlus]

There's a white automatic in town with a supposed bad transmission. Anybody in the indianapolis, IN area that would be willing to help with a 3.2 swap on my dead 3.0? As far as cash, I wouldn't have much, but whatever's left over from the white one (including car itself), you could have! I haven't been able to get ahold of the guy who owns it, but it looks pretty nice. There was no visible rust on the body of the car. It does need a good washing, though. Interior looks really nice, too. Any takers? ...please?