Lower end knock.. What went wrong?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3
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From: Connecticut
Lower end knock.. What went wrong? I have a 98 Z28 with 48K on it, I got off the highway few weeks ago and heard this new noise. I noticed oil pressure was low. Pulled over and heard the reservoir bubbling but the temp gauge was only at 200, not the red zone. Had it towed home. Next morning checked coolant level(the Pink stuff) it was fine, but not pink bright pink, but kinda orange. I started the car and the noise was gone. Until it warmed up! Sure enough it’s a rod bearing. But what happened? Was it the coolant? Was it the oil pump? Well it’s all getting replaced any way, but I don’t want it to happen again. I have heard mixed stories about these LS1 engines. Mostly that GM has a hard time keeping them together. Because they are all aluminum they twist.. Is it worth sinking money into or just fix what’s broken and get rid of it?
Oh… and one more thing, what’s up with this PINK stuff. A little dirt and it turns to crap. If I’m starting over can I use the good old green instead?
Oh… and one more thing, what’s up with this PINK stuff. A little dirt and it turns to crap. If I’m starting over can I use the good old green instead?
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 340
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From: Fort Worth TX
Re: Lower end knock.. What went wrong? They(?)say that the dexcool(red)which is what you are probably talking about is what you should use when there are aluminum components in your cooling system, to reduce to amount of corrosion that was taking place with old school antifreeze. I am hereing some comlaints about it getting nasty, but when I drained my system after about six thousand miles the stuff looked brand new. Maybe it needs to be changed and flushed every once in a while, 15K or 20k. Just wondering, did you ever have that done in the 48k your car had? Any way, I would suggest you keep using it, your bearing problem most likely was an oil issue.
TECH Resident
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 829
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From: Fremont, CA
Re: Lower end knock.. What went wrong? Uhm... dexcool is orange... the only red coolant i know of it toyota coolant that i work with every day...
As far as what to use... when it comes to coolant, use what the factory says, dexcool all the way. Green stuff can cause a lot of problems in newer cars. I know from first hand experience, if you put green stuff in a new toyota/lexus, you can kiss the water pump goodbye...
<small>[ August 31, 2002, 02:21 PM: Message edited by: RTCamaroSS ]</small>
As far as what to use... when it comes to coolant, use what the factory says, dexcool all the way. Green stuff can cause a lot of problems in newer cars. I know from first hand experience, if you put green stuff in a new toyota/lexus, you can kiss the water pump goodbye...
<small>[ August 31, 2002, 02:21 PM: Message edited by: RTCamaroSS ]</small>
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 1
From: Centrifugal City
Re: Lower end knock.. What went wrong? Oil Pump hiccup'd and spun a bearing?
Is the Oil Pump dead??
DexSludge sucks. I'm switching to the green stuff. That has nothing to do with your spun bearing tho unless your temps went psycho over 250*.
Is the Oil Pump dead??
DexSludge sucks. I'm switching to the green stuff. That has nothing to do with your spun bearing tho unless your temps went psycho over 250*.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 339
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Re: Lower end knock.. What went wrong? actually I believe the older GM Dexcool was pink. Not sure if it still is cause I always bought the havoline to replace coolant. but I am pretty sure the stock coolant in my car was pink (1998)
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 28
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From: ct
Re: Lower end knock.. What went wrong? the problem with dex is it doesnot mix well with tap water.the minerals in tap water sluge the hell out of dexcool.use distilled water 50/50 mix.changed mine after 4k , the coolant dip stick had a slimmy flim on it.have 14k on now its cleaner then new. my2 cents.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
Re: Lower end knock.. What went wrong? Yeah, the dipstick is kinda crusty.. little bump that well not rub off. Still a drak orange color though.
So does anyone think it's worth keeping the car? Is the general thought that it was just a oil pump failure? Or do these engines grenade every 50K?
So does anyone think it's worth keeping the car? Is the general thought that it was just a oil pump failure? Or do these engines grenade every 50K?
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Teching In
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 28
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From: ct
Re: Lower end knock.. What went wrong? i think you should keep the car, getting it fixed is the proplem you have to look at. is it your daily driver? do you have the funds to fix it? if so then thear it down look for other damage. rebuild the engine mod or stock nows the time.if your not going to doit your self pm me ill point you some shops that can help. i noticed your in ct.
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