Main Bearing post mechanic work

[GirlFriday]

On Feb 14, I had a blown cylinder head gasket replaced on my 2000 GTP. The cylinder heads were machined. The low coolant light came on within a day. Mechanic said it was a bad sensor and replaced with AC Delco.

The clanking got very loud over the course of about 10 blocks. It died in the driveway. Temp never got hot, oil is full. No warning lights.

This car has 65k miles and has been babied like nobody's business. This is the first trouble I have had with her.

I would appreciate any thoughts on whether the recent work on my car could have caused this problem. Is she worth fixing? Should the mechanic be held responsible?

Thanks, GirlFriday

[TheOtherNick]

sounds like you got coolant in the oil and spun a bearing. It is more than likely their fault.

[BillBoost37]

Heck I'm ready to blame the mechanic based on a misdiagnosis of a head gasket. Because it's so infrequent that unless I saw the bad gasket myself, I wouldn't typically believe it.

[GR8racingfool]

It really takes a lot to blow a head gasket on our cars. You have to be heavily modified, or heavily stupid to blow one. Its not a common failure.

If he saw a coolant leak, more than likely it was your LIM gaskets that failed. THAT'S a common issue.

If the coolant leak went on for too long, and your oil change(s) started to look like a milk shake from the coolant getting in the oil, then you probably have bearing damage. Correcting the problem, of the LIM gaskets, and making it all better is only half the battle. Some cars are just fine if you catch it in time, if the leaky LIM gaskets went on for too long, then engine damage is most likely going to happen.


Only let people or mechanics you know or trust work on your car. If in doubt, get another opinion, and never leave it with somebody you don't know or trust. Not saying all mechanics are crooked crooks, but some of them will take advantage of people when given the chance.


~F~

[GirlFriday]

My car is not modified except for the hawk feather in the visor. =)

I'm not a heavily stupid driver NOW, (30 years ago, yes, I'm woman enough to admit it) but I occasionally like to squeal tires from red lights and hit 100 mph fairly regularly, (awesome straight away on commute.) This car has been very well cared for. Oil changes every 3 months, regardless of low mileage.

My oil did not turn to chocolate milk and I pull the dipstick once a week. As a matter of fact, the temp gauge never showed the car as hot. The "Check Coolant" and "Service Engine Soon" lights came on, prompting the visit.

I have known this particular mechanic shop through 2 generations, but I don't know the guy that did the actual work.

I am just trying to determine how long to grow my horns and if I need to exact vengeance for Bodacia's death. I know old, SIMPLE engines. Sometime in the 80's, I no longer recognized much under the hoods of cars.

Thanks, guys.

[gtpinsc]

what does the oil look like now?

[GirlFriday]

The oil is clean and full.

Bodacia is dead. Mechanic says new engine. Mechanic says I didn't change the oil (not true). He says the bearing has been slowly oil starved from a blocked pick up screen

I had an oil sending unit go bad about a year ago. I saw it as I backed out of the driveway. Had the car towed in and had it fixed.

I love this car but I think it's time to cut my losses here.

Any ballparks on price of new engine? I'm figuring 2k-2.5k. That amount coupled with the recent 1700 for the gasket work puts my repairs in over trade in value.

[Bio248]

if you do it yourself, $1000.

[GR8racingfool]

Well, when I meant being heavily stupid to blow a head gasket, it wasn't directed at somebody being stupid behind the wheel having fun with their car.

It was more aimed towards somebody being stupid that doesn't know how to work on our engines, or modify one of our engine correctly resulting in a could be avoided failure if they knew what they were doing, kinda stupid. LOL

It happens to the high horse power guys sometimes, but its really to blame on a poor head design, not enough bolts to hold the head down under HIGH pressure, and the head actually lifts up, and pooooft there goes your gasket.

I disgusts me that shops are either dishonest about whats wrong, or they don't know and start throwing parts and your money at the problem till its fixed, and if there is a problem later after the repair, and a serious one, like yours, they don't man up to either the mistake made, or what have you ya know. I don't know what to tell you honestly with out being there and seeing what they see.

You might be able to find a knowledgeable local member to install a good used engine in there for you on the forum here if it leads to that.

You can buy a good engine from Morad Parts Company - 3800 Motors, Transaxles, & Stock Parts
^THEY will stand behind what they sell. Call, email and ask for Eric, and let him know your a member of the "club" and they will usually entitle you to some "special pricing". Or just tell him Farnsworth sent ya, and they will also toss in a adult XS t-shirt. LOL

~F~

[GirlFriday]

K, here are the quotes:

Including labor
Used engine $3500, 90 day
New Long Block $5461, 3 year warranty
New lower block $4535 90 Day warranty

Salvage $500

Oh, and the mechanic offered it to buy it for "more than the salvage guy".

I will be checking about the above link shortly. Thanks.

[JoRoW99]

I would try to find a used engine with relatively low miles. I know you can get them for cheaper than 3.5k too.

[gtpinsc]

LOL @ those prices.. try Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market a motor swap shouldnt run u more than 500-600ish dollars labor.. at least where i live thats what it goes for. if i were u.. id find a low mileage supercharged motor and computer and call it a day