- Vehicle:
2001 Grand Prix GTP 2 door Coupe, 3.8L Supercharged Engine
- Symptoms:
1) SUSPECTED LIFTERS: Light ticking (not knocking) from top of engine in middle at startup. Rough idle/revving until sound disappears after 30 seconds to 1 minute. Engine then smooths out after the lifter pumps up and eliminates the gap between the pushrod and the rocker, thus also elminating the ticking sound that was caused by the gap between the two.
>>VIDEO 1 - Depicts lifter tick at a cold start.
>>VIDEO 2 - Depicts seemingly normal running engine after car has been running for some time. No apparent noise from lifters.
2) SUSPECTED LIM (lower intake manifold) LEAK: Missing coolant from resovoir. Coolant found under oil cap. No apparent leaks dripping from vehicle.
Suggestion: If you notice cooling missing from your resovoir and have no leaks, check under for oil cap for remnants of coolant. It will look like orange water droplets if you still have Dexcool in your cooling system. Coolant may also puddle up and mix with grease/dirt/oil on your plenum. Remove plastic engine cover to inspect. Do NOT wait to replace your LIM gasket if you have these symptoms or you will be replacing lifters like me or worse, replacing/refreshing your short block after you spin a rod bearing.
- Parts:
Autozone: 10W-30 synthetic Mobil 1 oil, oil filter, coolant
RockAuto: (www.rockauto.com)
Dorman/Heater Hose Fitting (coolant elbows) (Part # 47065)
FEL-PRO Part # MS98014T (LIM GASKET SET)
FEL-PRO Part # MS95744 (SUPERCHARGER GASKET)
FEL-PRO Part# 61024 (TB GASKET)
FEL-PRO Part # VS50465R (valve cover gaskets and grommets)
Autolite XP606 Spark plugs @ 6
DNJ/ROCK ENGINE COMPONENTS Part # LIF3104 @ 12
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Subtotal: $185.81 (+shipping)
Summit Racing (www.summitracing.com):
Supercharger oil 4oz bottle @ 2 #12345982
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Subtotal: $17.90 (+shipping)
GM Dealership:
Rocker arm bolts (sold in packs of 5) 3 packs required
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Subtotal: $25.92 (including 8% NY tax)
GRAND TOTAL: $229.63 (+shipping, coolant, oil, filter)
- Repair Process:
How-To video prepared by other enthusiasts (thanks!): 33 minute step-by-step how-to video
>>RESOLVED - Video depicts the vehicle after LIM and lifters had been replaced using the above part numbers. Repair process complete.
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- My Issues:
My car has 89k miles (not beat on by any means), is in immaculate shape and I have used synthetic oil with regular changes since 59k miles when I got the car. I have identified that I have a lifter ticking in my engine - I'm familiar with the sound. Car idles a bit rough at startup until the lifter pumps up to bring up the slack on the pushrod/rocker to operate the valve. Once the lifter pumps up, the ticking stops and the car smooths out. Usually in about a minute.
I have also noticed I'm losing coolant - and it's not dripping out. I checked under the oil cap for coolant and it's there. So I know I need to immediately replace the upper and lower intake manifold gaskets - I already have the Felpro redesigned gaskets in my hands along with valve cover gaskets with grommets, TB gasket (might as well), a new thermostat, coolant elbows, and for the heck of it I'm doing plugs, wires, and changing the supercharger oil as well.
I'd rather not take the chance that after I get it together the ticking 'might' stop as I've seen mixed results on this. If it doesn't, it means I'll have to take it apart in favor of another set of gaskets and lifters plus oil, coolant, etc... Can't do that. I'm not made of money. So that means I should also replace the lifters.
My question: What lifters does everyone use for stock replacements? Rockauto.com has the: DNJ/ROCK ENGINE COMPONENTS Part # LIF3104 for about $7.50/lifter. Autozone has lifters for $11 or so. I really don't have the money for lifters now in the first place, but I'll bite the bullet for them since I need them. Anyone forsee issues with me using what rockauto has to offer?
Thanks in advance.
