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95 Trans Sport motor locked up


billkater
08-04-2005, 11:06 AM
Needing some advice. Have a 95 Trans Sport with a 3.8 motor. It has 142,000 miles on it. At 115,000 miles I had new lifters installed, had one tapping real bad.

I have drove it back and forth to work for the past 2 years, 55 miles round trip. About 6 weeks ago I bought my 15 yr old a car and have been driving it to make sure it was reliable for him. Last week I started driving the van again. Yesterday on the way home it started to knock, almost like a rod but not. Today on the way to the shop it locked up tight. Just came around a corner from a stop sign and bang, it stopped.

It had good oil pressure, was not hot, just running fine eccept for the knock. The repair man just scratched his head. No good clue as to what it could be. I took off the belt and tried to turn it ove with a socket on the crank, it would not budge. i brock the bolt holing the pully on loose. I can find no oil or water leaks.

Any one got a clue?

Thanks

Bill Kater

Jim Adams
08-04-2005, 11:43 AM
Hi Bill ,,My experiance with the front wheel drive 3.8 engine is that the two center rod bearings will spin and it sounds like a muffled knock and still has oil pressure as the mains carry most of the oil pressure and they are probably ok,,when I pulled my 3.8 apart that was in a 97 grand Prix it spun the center rod bearings and it locked up but I bought a crank kit and believe it or not I center punched the inside of the rod cap and rod itself to hold the new bearing,as the old one took off material when it spun,,and I then wipped a small amount of JB weld under the new bearings and locked them up over night and put it together the next day and the motor runs great to this day and I did it about 4 months ago. Otherwise the rods have to be machined or replaced and that is more cost and the hole engine must come apart . Good Luck!!

billkater
08-05-2005, 08:49 AM
Well, bad news. Spun the 3 rod bearing. I may try to put in a new bearing. What would you suggest, standard size or the next size over?

GTP Dad
08-05-2005, 09:30 AM
I really don't suggest either. I suggest you pull the engine and either replace it or fully rebuild it. By simply replacing the bearing you risk having the same problem shortly thereafter. If the crank is scored then you will need to have it turned down to get it to hold up.

If you are short on money and want to just replace the bearing use standard size. I would however get some plastiguage and check the clearance. If it is worn well beyond tolerance then the oversized bearing may be best choice. But check bearing to journal clearance. If it is too tight you will burn up the oversized bearing. In that case the standard bearing would be the best choice although you may detect a slight rod knock. Good Luck!

Jim Adams
08-05-2005, 09:35 PM
If you spun the bearing then the crank gets egg shaped (out of round) and another bearing would be a waist of time and your efforts. the only chance you have at a posability is a crank kit and if your not experienced at doing bearings and especially engines that have spun bearings then this might be a waste of your time and money as well . this is what happens the bearing spins and it not only makes the crank out of round it takes material off the rod and cap making that out of round as well ,,usually not as bad because the rod is a harder metal but you only need a few thousands of an inch and you are right back were you started. I have taken a pin punch and punched the bearing cap and the rod lightly all over where the bearing sits so it not only biulds it up a little but helps grab the bearing but you must know what you are doing or it will surely fail. If you are new to the spun bearing syndrome then get a cheap used engine.Or get experience and try it, I also have used JB weld afterwards and put a thin layer between the bearing and the rod and lock it up with an air gun and let it sit over night to harden and have had good results,,I have a MASTERS in spun bearings and fixing them lol but it is tricky. Good luck!! I will walk you threw any fixes you need help with,email me or keep repling to this post.

billkater
08-09-2005, 05:38 PM
After checking some prices I am going to try to put in a new set of rod bearings. I have pulled the rod caps off and all look good, except the one that spun. I figure I would try and spend $65.00 before going to a engine pull.

What should I torque the rod caps back down to?

If this doesn't work my next step is a crank kit or short block. So, how hard is it to pull the engine on a 95 Transport? The last time I pulled a engine was on a 73 Gran Torino when I was 18, about 20 yrs ago.

thanks for the help

Bill Kater

GTP Dad
08-09-2005, 06:38 PM
This is a two step process. Torque to 20 foot pounds in step one and in step two rotate an additional 50 degrees. Bill take some advise and use some very fine emory cloth dip it in oil and polish that journal as fine as possible before you put a new bearing or it will destroy itself the minute you start it up. Clean everything well and use lots of assembly lube.

I really can't tell you how hard it is to pull an engine from a Trans Sport since I have no experience with pulling one from this vehicle.

Jim Adams
08-10-2005, 12:04 AM
hey Bill,,I have been told that the engine can come out the top if you pull the exhaust manifolds,,but my experience is to support the engine and trans drop the frame and lower the engine and trans assy. down threw the bottum,,It is a pain in the ass but if you take your time it can be doneand I will be happy to post the step by step process for you but please becareful doing this it is alot of wieght just hanging there once the frame has been removed you must get an approved support for the engine and trans assy that sits between the shock towers,,a piece of thick gauge square tubeing stock can be used but it has to be a thick walled piece not a flimsey piece or it will not hold,,lets hope the bearings work for you..good luck

billkater
09-08-2005, 06:34 PM
The end of the spun bearing story.

Well, I finally had time to put in a new set of bearings. All the bearings looked rough so i put a complete set in. upon starting the engine it did not knock. I allowed it to run at idle for about 10 minutes. Then I ran the engine up to about 2000 rpm's. There was a distinct knock to it.

So in conclusion, My attempt to fix was a loss. I can at least move it out of my way without pushing it. And i can drive it up the trailer ramps when I have it hauled off.

O well. That's life.

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