Thread: Engine noise

In the last week (give or take) my 02 GTP has been making an odd noise. It almost sounds like a pinging noise, and is most noticible at 1500-2000 rpm. It is only present after the car warms up, and is more easily heard through the drivers side wheel than over the noise of the engine. The engine does not appear to be burning oil, and is performing as it always has. The car has about 80k on it. Does anyone know what could be going on?

Hi there,

Same here, I have a 2002 40th GTP, and albeit I have around 170k on it, it was handled by one previous owner, a man in his 70's who bought it for his wife as a summer car, so its in good shape overall.

My problem is about the same thing as yours. Its a subtle pinging noise near the main serpentine belt, and I saw a very small amount of grease/oil leaked out of the gasket (I gotta check the seal), but the noise comes from below or further down the engine. It sounds like someone would ring a small metal bell, and it only makes the noise when idling, otherwise the roaring of the engine drowns it out or it seems to vanish.

Sounds like you both have a piston wrist pin loose. Not really that uncommon, just annoying. Had the same noise in my second engine, changed it under warranty and when they tore it down, confirmed my suspicion of the wrist pin. Would worry to much about it unless it gets louder.

Thanks Pman64.

I'm just wondering what kind of labor is involved to fix this at a shop, and if left unattended what harm could be done? The leaking I was refering to when I mentioned gasket, is I think (not really mechanically inclined) coming from the supercharger gasket, because it seems the leaking already took place quite a bit and now is just damp. It runs from under the cover right next to the s/c cone, and dripped in between the spaces of the block down to inner part of the bumper. It looks like crude oil, so I'm think its either a faulty s/c gasket , but then again I think I remember seeing something in the GM service manual that says if a little puddle or leakage occurs is considered "normal" however considering it dripped all the way down the block at some point in time (now it seems to have subsided) that it may be something more serious.

I'm bringing it for my yearly inspection next 2 weeks, the car drives fine, so I hope the mechanic can figure it out. Up here in New brunswick Canada, when your not mechanically inclined and no buddies who are into cars and no friends with garages to work in, you make slow progress reading manuals, albeit I need to invest in a Haynes manual or something. Anywho, enough rambling, thanks once again for the help!

I know its been three months since I replied. Been busy with too many projects to bother with this sight. Anywho, was curious if you figured out your pinging problem? To fix a wrist pin problem is quite an extensive process. Tearing motor all the way down to remove pistons and replace pins and bushings, possibly pistons as well. In the short term, probally no problems, left unattended, think of your engines rods being the star of a slasher pic and carving someone up. The goop your seeing in the front of the engine is most likely a small coolant leak. The 3800's are notorious for leaking coolant from the intake bolts since the screw into coolant passages. There is no engine oil supplied to the S/C and no coolant passages at the front of the S/C to intake. So I would say it's just a case of needing to replace your LIM gaskets, just make sure you put some pipe sealant on the intake bolts on re-install. Something GM didnt do during assembly. If you've already got this info, sorry for the late answer. Good Luck, let me know!

No worries, time is always in demand. Funny you mention the LIM gasket, as I found out the coolant was leaking, big time, lol..So I replaced everything, my mechanic called it a "complete engine kit" which includes LIM, header gasket, seals, etc...so all is well thus far! Thanks again

Good to hear. I just had to tear down my engine for a new crank. Re-man company apparently dont know what their doing. 3rd engine from them with the same problem, #3 rod bearing spun. Doin the rebuild myself so I know its done right.