Noisy Chev. 3.1 litre motor

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scseaquist@hotmail.com - 20 Mar 2008 06:55 GMT

I own a 2001 Chev. Lumina with a 3.1 V-6 that has about 65,000 miles
on it. The motor is quite noisy when it is cold. More of a dull
tapping sound than a click. I do not like to drive it until it has
warmed up some. It quiets down after reaching full temperature. The
motor has always been "chattery", but it is getting worse. I am not
familiar with the engines internals--lifters, valve train, etc. I have
been told the motor is of bad design. Motor oil brands or types do not
make a difference. I am reluctant to use additives. I take good care
of the car and want to keep it. I would like to hear an opinion if
someone has experience with this motor.

Thank you,

Scott

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Nate Nagel - 20 Mar 2008 11:27 GMT

> I own a 2001 Chev. Lumina with a 3.1 V-6 that has about 65,000 miles
> on it. The motor is quite noisy when it is cold. More of a dull
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Scott

I have never heard one of these engines that did *not* sound just as you
describe. In fact, it's a very distinctive rattly bucket-of-bolts
sound; I could always tell if a car with a 2.8 or 3.1 was nearby without
even looking.

nate

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Lee Richardson - 20 Mar 2008 13:08 GMT

Probably piston slap due to excess clearance between the pistons and the
cylinders. As long as it is not using excess oil it really hurts nothing
except the resale value of the car.

I own a '99 Olds 3400 owner with the same issue. On the other hand, this
car gets surprisingly good fuel economy, which may in part be due to this
problem.

Lee Richardson

>I own a 2001 Chev. Lumina with a 3.1 V-6 that has about 65,000 miles
> on it. The motor is quite noisy when it is cold. More of a dull
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Scott

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ray - 21 Mar 2008 03:03 GMT

> I own a 2001 Chev. Lumina with a 3.1 V-6 that has about 65,000 miles
> on it. The motor is quite noisy when it is cold. More of a dull
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Scott

I can't say for sure you don't have something wrong, but the wife's 3.1
has always sounded like that, and it's 18 years old and 140,000 miles on
it. Original internals. Every 2.8/3.1 I've heard is noisy but they
seem to last a long time.

Ray

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