My disclaimer. I am not some mechanical moron but I got the shaft on the car I bought( and yes I take responsibility for it). Private sale, low mile 02 GTP. Car ran flawlessly, is really clean and has about 69000 miles on it. After 2 days of ownership..... I don't know what I have left. There is the usual oil now floating in the coolant tank and the rad hoses are sweating it. The PO did a good job of cleaning things as I am aware of the 3.8's issues but also was less thurough than I should have been. I asked about previous history and was told it had the intake gaskets done in more recent times. Thought great, that's what I like to hear...... yeah. The PO knew exactly what the issues were and frauded by hiding it..... however there is no reprucussions I can take as legal fees for a buyer beware case waste my time. That's one thing.
The other is the loud ticking noise it now makes while running. It sounds more like a top end based noise than a rod bearing. Realistically it sounds like an exhaust leak, and follows all engine rpm. I really hope the shortblock is okay.... but don't know yet. The oil is still clean and doesn't seem to have anything coolant wise in it. I haven't drained anything as the car is sitting in the parking lot of my girlfriends condo. I want to try and have this thing towed to my acreage tomorrow. I don't have the time to do any real work to it as I want it running ASAP and I work a job that puts me away from home about 25 days of the month.
I am guessing its the upper intake gaskets as far as the coolant problem but the ticking puzzles me a bit. As the oil seems clean enough ( well its used oil but not water contaminted) I don't see why it would run great and then have major mechanical failure. I can't see it hydrolocking but the car was started with the command start so I wasn't there for startup. Still runs smooth just noisy. About an hour prior the car was running great and had no issues. Power is good and ran as I would expect. Now it's fubared for now.
I am planning on a GM crate L67 unless you guys have a better idea if mine is done. I don't really want to mess around with some overpriced wrecking yard disaster and my previous luck in that respect has just led me to buy new parts.
What do you guys think?
P.S. Hi, I'm new here and this really was not the first post I wanted but it's the way it goes.
And I bought this as it was supposed to helping my girlfriend upgrade from her coolant and oil eating blown head gasket POS rusty 3.8 powered 94 Taurus. Good job dip$hit for me.......This is my girls account if some are wondering and I will use it for now until I sort this car out.
