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Our 1996 Lumina with the 3.1 L Engine (M) has 166K miles.
Sent to Car Experts July 30 09:53 AM

Our 1996 Lumina with the 3.1 L Engine (M) has 166K miles. Last night driving home, it the engine chugged and the oil warning light came on and started running rough, as I coasted to the side of the road the Volts warning light came on and the engine died. The oil was due for changing and was still in the range on the dip stick on the lower end. There are no major oil leaks. I can still turn the engine over. The serpentine belt is still in tact and tight.   I started thinking it may be an oil pump problem but with the volts light, I'm starting to wonder if it could be something other than the oil system. Any suggestions?

 

Optional Information:
1996 Chevrolet lumina 3.1 L M

Already Tried:
nothing

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $15
Answer
July 30 10:02 AM (9 minutes and 3 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
You will need to check for spark,injector pulse(with a noid light)and fuel pressure with a gauge.Can you even hear the pump run when the key is turned to the one position?

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1 Other Expert Agrees with this!
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
July 30 10:58 AM (55 minutes and 50 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Yes, I can hear the pump run for approx. 3 to 4 seconds then stop. I don't have the tools to check the other things. I had a fuel pump go out on me before (not on this vehicle) but didn't get these symptoms. The sudden chug in the motor and the oil light coming on with the volt light after puzzles me. Is the fuel system that closely related with the oil system to do that? The engine seemed to run coasting to the side of the road and really chug along if I gave it some gas. But at that point the volt light came on over the oil light.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 30 11:23 AM (24 minutes and 58 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
If you hit the starter will the engine rotate like it's trying to start?

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PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
July 30 12:25 PM (1 hour and 2 minutes and 16 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Yes it does, when my wife get's home I'll be able to look at everything under the hood to see if everything is turning like it's supposed to. Right now I can only hear it trying to turn over. The battery is just about dead now, after last night, so I'll have to jump it also when she get's here.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 30 12:28 PM (3 minutes and 22 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Let me know when she gets back and we will go through a few things.

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
July 30 4:14 PM (3 hours and 45 minutes and 13 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Yes, everything is turning under the hood that should. What are the things that I should try?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 30 4:19 PM (4 minutes and 55 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Step one check for spark.You can take a screwdriver and unplug a plug wire and hold it close to the engine and have your wife crank it.See if spark jumps the gap between the screwdriver and the engine.Do at least two wires on different coils.Let me know what happens.

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
July 30 4:41 PM (22 minutes and 32 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Ok, she's not home yet. I marked all pulley's with a marker and turned it over to see if everything was turning earlier. Still waiting for her to get back but I'll let you know once I check it out. It might not be until tomorrow.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 30 4:56 PM (14 minutes and 59 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Okay let me know tomorrow then.

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
July 31 7:45 PM (1 day and 2 hours later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Yes there was spark on two different wires.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 31 8:10 PM (25 minutes and 37 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Does the check engine light come on when the key is turned to run?Will the car start and then stall if you spray carb cleaner in the intake?

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
July 31 8:35 PM (24 minutes and 14 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Yes the check engine light is on with the oil light. The car starts with the carb cleaner and it will run but very rough idle. I shut it off fearing an oil pump problem to boot and didn't want to add to my problems. I suppose it would have died son anyway.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
July 31 9:05 PM (30 minutes and 46 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Okay you seem like a smart guy so I will tell you what I would like you to do.You need to pull the oil pan off and then the oil pump.You will know the oil pump because there is a screen on the bottom of the tube that goes to it.See if the rod going to the oil pump is broken and get back to me.If you don't understand ask me for more help.We will fix your car so be patient with me okay?

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
July 31 9:21 PM (16 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Thanks, It will be tomorrow after work, that is if I get home early enough. I will let you know as soon as I can. Will I lose our dialog if I can't get it tomorrow night? I work about 60+ hours a week so it gets tough at times to do things after work. I want to keep this going and don't want to lose this.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
August 2 8:39 PM (1 day and 23 hours later)
         
Relist: I still need help.
With time constrainst to work at home on this takes longer to check all the things to check and Davo isn't to the root of the problem yet because of the lack of time that I have to work on the car.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 3 6:02 PM (21 hours and 22 minutes and 27 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
After you get it checked just relist it then and I should see it.

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
August 3 6:22 PM (20 minutes and 16 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Hi Davo,

first time using this site so I'm figuring it out as i go. I worked on it a little last night and just trying to figure out everything I need to take off is a bit tough. First i thought just the bottom came off, but now am thinking I need to reach up into the tight spots to remove all those 8 or 10 mm bolts, is that right? Is there an easier way to get to those hard to reach bolts? Raining here a lot too which slows me down since the car is sitting in my front yard.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 3 6:31 PM (9 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
I don't recall how many bolts hold the pan on.There are a couple at the back and the dust shield on the trans needs removed to get at them.I use a 1/4 inch drive ratchet and extension to get them out and I think one or two of the front ones need to be taken out with a wrench.

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
August 3 6:37 PM (5 minutes and 18 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: just to double check before I get too far. The whole pan which looks like it's 6 or 8" deep needs to be removed, right?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 3 6:43 PM (6 minutes and 58 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Yes the pan you drain the oil out of.This is a picture of the pan with the engine upside down.It shows the bolt locations.Support the engine by placing a floor jack under the transmission.Use a board between the jack and the pan to avoid damage to the pan. Images available only to Customers.



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PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
August 3 6:47 PM (3 minutes and 46 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Yep, those were the bolts I was looking at hoping not to have to take those out but I'm glad to see there are none on the ends. I'll let you know what I find.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
August 4 6:59 PM (1 day later)
         
Relist: I still need help.
Yes i still need assistance. I'm still working on getting the pan off and still have questions. My work schedule doesn't permit me to work on the car like I would like.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
August 5 7:03 AM (12 hours and 4 minutes and 3 seconds later)
         
Davo,

Had to buy a short 10mm wrench, will try to get the pan off today. There are 3 larger bolts that go through the front side of the pan. Do they come out too?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 5 9:34 AM (2 hours and 31 minutes and 22 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
If they go through the pan they need to come out.

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
August 5 9:59 AM (25 minutes and 4 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: Davo,

I think this would be the last time I try this at home. I have the starter of, AC, serpentine belt, all kinds of stuff. Is there an easy way to get the pan broke loose? There's no place to pry. Are there jack screw holes?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 5 10:15 AM (15 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
No holes to pop it off sad to say.It must have been off before or a bolt is still in it.Try tapping on the side of the pan with a hammer but place a wooden block on the pan.Someone may have used rtv on the pan before.

Master ASE Certified.L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certified.Pa Emission Repair Technician.Just Answer Car Category Mentor.
PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
Reply
August 5 11:08 AM (53 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         
Reply to Davo's Post: I thank you for your time but I can't seem to break it loose. I'll accept your answer and call the garage to pick up the car unless you can think of something else.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
August 6 8:43 AM (21 hours and 35 minutes and 11 seconds later)
         
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PictureDavo -- Master technician -- 99% Positive Feedback on 1919 Car Accepts
ASE Master Technician/Advanced Automotive Diagnostic Technician
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