Stopped on the way home from getting smog tested (passed easily & ran great). Started up, engine idled fine for 10-20 secs. then started makeing loud top end noise and stalled. Removed valve cover, restarted. Noise immediatly, ran 5-10 secs. and stalled. No indication that oil is being supplied to top end. Dipstick reads full. I don't think it ran long enough to trip the low oil pressure light. Oil Pump failure??? If so, whats the drill for replacement and is it a "cheap date" if I "D.I.Y." it? Thanks in advance!

I'd start it and see if the oil light goes out to start with. How well do you know this shop? Odd that it ran fine until they had their hands on it. :sly:

It was a Test only smog station. All they did was place a sensor pick up in the tail pipe. It passed. This all occurred after stopping at a store afterwards.

Valve seat- you are hosed, dude :(

Search this forum for a wealth of information regarding a dropped valve seat. Don't keep running the engine or you could have bigger problems with pistons.

You are most certainly going to have to pull the head off and you will find damage to the bottom of the head and top of the pistons.

And no- the smog station didn't cause this... it was a ticking time bomb and just coincidence that you had just had it checked. It's a common problem with this engine.

[quote=mightymoose_22;5970512]Valve seat- you are hosed, dude :(
Is that why there's no oil pumping up to the top end? The valves appear to function properly w/ the cover removed, but no sign oil being introduced to the top end! The noise isn"t limited to one. They all sound equally pissed off!

If the engine keeps stalling right away then that explains why oil pressure is not building up. A failed oil pump wouldn't cause the engine to stall as you describe either.

Take your spark plugs out and inspect for any signs of trouble.
With the plugs removed, rotate the engine manually on the crank bolt and see if you can feel any obstructions as you go through a few revolutions. If it seems smooth then you might be ok.

The scenario you describe is exactly the scenario that often turns out to be the valve seat though... everything was fine one minute, then start it up and you have a hideous sound.

Anyway- if your oil pump failed, I can't imagine why you would be hearing the noise you describe. It will probably be safest to pull the head and have a look at things.

I'd start it and see if the oil light goes out to start with. How well do you know this shop? Odd that it ran fine until they had their hands on it. :sly:

Sorry, I don't trust people :frown:

Sorry, I don't trust people :frown:
I'm sorry your not my next door neighbor! 1000 miles away, don't even know me.........And you still have my back! You made me walk out my door this morning w/ a smile on my face. Your preaching to the choir, but thanks anyway! And I realize if my next car's a chevy, I'm on my own. You can't protect someone from themselves.

[quote=mightymoose_22;5970566]If the engine keeps stalling right away then that explains why oil pressure is not building up. A failed oil pump wouldn't cause the engine to stall as you describe either.

Take your spark plugs out and inspect for any signs of trouble.
With the plugs removed, rotate the engine manually on the crank bolt and see if you can feel any obstructions as you go through a few revolutions. If it seems smooth then you might be ok.
I'll start w/ this. Plan for the worst, hope for the best & post as I go. "What doesn't kill you, only makes you wish you were dead, but nobody gets out alive!". Thanks!