1996 z28 engine problem?

kobefan21921 · Dec 6, 2010

I was coming home the other night in my z28 which had been running perfect and all of a sudden the check gauges light came on.I looked down at the gauges and everything looked fine so I continued to my house which may have been half a mile further.When I was almost home the engine started shaking badly,lacked power and it sounded horrible.It was late so I went to bed when I got home.The next morning I started it up and at idle it sounded okay but when I gave it any gas it would knock and squeak.It then just seized so I took it to a chevy dealer. They told me it was hydro locked and I would need a new engine.Does anyone know what it might be?,have any idea of possible problems? and degree of difficulty to fix these problems.I personally don't think its hydro locked,it will still start and run like outlined before,which is rough with a squeaky knock sound.

Z06vette · Dec 7, 2010

If it were hydrolocked- thats indicates the motor sucked up water- that typically bends a rod, locking up the motor. If it still starts & runs, then it isn't locked up. Did you drive thru standing water or large puddle? Do you have a cold air intake that located the open filter down low ahead of the front tire? Those type intakes are susceptible to water intake. Its possible a rod is just slightly bent, just not enough to lock up the motor. Should be able to replace that rod. Sounds more like you had an optispark or MAF sensor crap out. Maybe a head gasket. We need more info. Did the dig into the moter at all? Did they gover over the car with you & show you exactly what the problem is? Scott

kobefan21921 · Dec 7, 2010

I didn't run through any water.Honestly right before it happened I was on it pretty good.I was doing about 120 mph when the check gauges light came on.I immediately let off the gas kicked it out of gear and coasted home.The shop didn't tell me anything other than it was hydro-locked and that I would need a new engine.To give me an exact diagnosis they wanted 600 dollars.As I said it will start and idle,though it idles rough.When you give it any gas it knocks and theres an occasional squeak.Also when I give it gas it sounds horrible.Does this sound like a rod to anyone or something else? I'm not a mechanic but am capable of doing most things, so any input would be very helpful.I'm just trying to see if it is something I could do myself.Also how hard is it to replace a rod?

CMQuickcoupe · Dec 8, 2010

by the knock you describe along with the squeal it sounds like bad bearings in the bottom end.im guessing it had an oil pressure failure or sucked air or something like that and starved the bearings? You might as well pull the engine out if you think you need to just replace a rod cause your gonna have to take the heads off to remove the rod and your gonna have to grind the crank shaft also and there will be bearing material all threw your oil galleys in the engine that needs to be cleaned out properly.Ive seen alot of head gaskets go bad on these engines and that will put water in the oil and makes it bad for your bearings also,looks like its time for a rebuild by the sounds of it.

easterbunny · Dec 8, 2010

First check the dipstick to see if there is any water the oil pan. If no coolant then it's not hydro locked. If there is water it is possibly a bad head gasket. But my 97 Z28 experienced the same issue and I replaced the optispark, plugs and wires. Problem solved. It cost about 800 bucks to replace all that with GM parts and my own labor. I'm not sure about the squeal or squeak. Possibly the tention pulley or a belt? You will have to listen by ear or use a piece of copper pipe and find were it is coming from. Good luck

Guest · Mar 12, 2015

How costly is it to fix a blown head gasket In a 96 z28

1996 z28 engine problem?

kobefan21921

Z06vette

kobefan21921

CMQuickcoupe

easterbunny

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