I have a 2006 SS/SC with 170,000 Km (105,000 Mi.) on it. Recently the engine started making clattering noises kind of like a diesel. Shortly thereafter it suddenly locked up solid and won't turn in either direction. My mechanic figures I've got a spun bearing. I haven't heard of anyone else having this problem so maybe I'm just lucky, but I'd like to prevent it from happening again.

I autocrossed a couple of times this past summer with the usual high revs and hard cornering. Could I have starved the bottom end for oil while cornering hard and revving the engine? If so what can I do to prevent this from happening again?

 

Ever change the tensioner?

 

Do you use Royal Purple? and change it on time,

 

if it locked up solid, I'd say you got bigger issues than a spun bearing. Sounds like oil starvation if it seized up

 

Well that sucks ether way, sorry to hear that.. time to upgrade to LNF

 

So many possibilities its not even funny

 

the only way you'll know is to tare it down. the oil pump might have died.

 

Thanks for the quick replies. I've been using Mobil 1 and always change oil on time. Have done no other mechanical work to the engine. I found another LSJ so have done an engine swap and will soon open up the old one to see what its problem is. Also doing the stage II upgrade while I'm at it and hope to have it back on the road in another week or so. I have heard that the tensioner can be a problem, but I should be able to move the engine in the reverse direction shouldn't I?

I'm thinking oil starvation as well, which is what makes me wonder if the hard cornering/high revs might have done the damage.

 

I'd guess on a cracked oil pump gear

 

autox starvation is a strong possibility.

 

Even with almost 7 quarts?

I had my car at the track and it did just fine for oiling. Just made sure it was full.

 

You're right Jake. I'm probably jumping the gun with this thread until I've had a chance to actually open mine up. Just thought I'd throw it out there and see what others have experienced.

I was afraid you were going to say that Powell... any suggestions for preventing a repeat, other than being kinder and gentler in the future? It's fun changing an engine, but not so much that I want to do it again.

 

I do believe that Powell makes a oil pan with a windage tray that helps prevent oil starvation

 

Thanks Sylver, I'll check that out.

 

No problem man

 

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/auto...-autox-260436/

Here's the thread he started

 

click. They are fun and only 175 exchange . Hardly worth copying lol

 

This, OP did you check the oil. Sounds insulting but easy to miss. That dip stick tip should have been all the way to the top line.

 

Good point. I can't actually remember if I did but I usually keep it topped up, so hopefully I didn't make a stupid mistake like that. Wish I'd known about that modified pan before I put the replacement engine in the car. I've heard its really tough to get the pan off with it in the car.

Mechanic had the new engine running today and said it sounds good, so that's a relief. I bought it privately and wasn't able to hear it running before I bought it. It was running well enough to propel the previous owner into the side of a pickup truck at 50 MPH though so I decided to take a chance. ... and he had a very honest face...

 

changing an oil pan is a so easy!!!!

drain oil
pull bolts
use pry bar to get in the BUILT IN pry points between block and pan
scrape off rtv from block
use acdelco rtv from gm, just tell them what you are doing for the part number dont use anything (screw permatex, once you go gm specific ac delco rtv you will never use anything else)
reinstall pan
reinstall bolts
refill oil

I bet there is less than 30 minutes of work there. I have done it 3 or 4 times. If you havent done it, it will take longer but its soooo easy.

 

Thanks aviator. Sounds like something even I can do. Maybe I was the victim of some bad information. Someone told me it is really difficult to get the pan to let go from the block. Now if I can get Powell's website to work so I can check out his pan maybe I can do that little upgrade and save going through this whole ordeal again.

 

i have a large crow bar with a sharpened tip, its like 20 bucks at any auto store.

There are built in reliefs in the block and oil pan on any side of the pan. Look for them you will see where to pry.