Sudden motor sound on good car

GYOUNG04

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET ASTRO
4WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

Hello car guys: I have a 1996 Chevy Suburban 1500 with 4WD. I purchased this car two years ago. It was in great condition, regularly serviced. Today, I heard a sound I could not explain but sounds like the car may be "misfiring" and it runs roughly but no "check engine" light. I noticed that I could not have the AC on because the gauge starts going over towards the red but it has not overheated as I turned it the AC and on the other side, the oil begins to go down toward the red even though it reads that it has enough oil. I cannot explain the sound and don't know what it has to do with the AC and/or oil pressure. Any suggestions? Also, is purchasing a Chilton manual worth it for simple things that I may be able to do?

Thanks, gloria

8 Replies

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
9,990 POSTS

Astro or suburban? Having any luck yet?

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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 4:06 PM

GYOUNG04

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3 POSTS

Hi:

I don't know where the glitch occurred - probably me - but it's a Suburban. I have not had any replies so I'm appreciative of yours.

What happens now is that once a week I have to put water in it or the gauge tends to move toward the "getting hot" side. The oil gauge will move toward the "needs oil" side but checking the dipstick reveals that it does not need oil. It also makes a rough sounding "fan" sound until - what I believe is - the water runs through the radiator then it settles down when it needs water.

So - is it the temperature sensor, the water pump or some other problem that is causing the needed water? I must say that I drove about 400 miles without a problem but put water in before leaving and again, before leaving my destination.

The oil gauge movement stumps me but does not seem to be a problem I guess.

Again, appreciate any help as I just want to get it fixed and continue enjoying my car.

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Wednesday, August 10th, 2011 AT 5:54 PM

FIXITMR

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9,990 POSTS

The hotter the oil gets the thinner it gets and the less pressure it holds. Also the sender gets weak with age and shows less pressure. If you cant see any leaks or smell any coolant under hood the you may be burning it out the exhaust from a head gasket or intake gasket leak. You can get the system pressure tested to find leaks.

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Thursday, August 11th, 2011 AT 4:24 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,005 POSTS

OIL PRESSURE GAUGES, ANYMORE. TELL YOU "LOW" OR "HIGH"

THIS IS NOT "CAPACITY"!

THIS IS THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE, THE OIL PUMP, IN THE ENGINE, IS CREATING!
,
IF IT DROPS TOO LOW. ENGINE KNOCKS (NO LUBRICATION!) WILL SEIZE, SOON AFTER. NO MORE ENGINE. WALKY. WALKY (:-(

IF THE ABOVE STARTS HAPPENING. SHUT HER DOWN IMMEDIATELY, AND COAST TO THE SIDE. DON'T LOCK YOUR STEERING, WHEN YOU SHUT DOWN. AND NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. INSURE REALLY QUICK, YOU CAN DO IT SAFELY!

IF YOU OVERHEAT. DIFFERENT STORY. QUICK AS YOU CAN, FIND A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OVER.I DON'T MEAN AT THE 7-11, 5 MILES UP THE ROAD. NEXT DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOT NEARBY!

ALWAYS BE ALERT TO YOU GAUGES. MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN TEXTING TO BILLY-BOB!

I LIKE 'EM---I INSTALLED MANY, IN MY JEEPS

SOME AID ME IN GAS ECONOMY. SOME WARN OF IMMINENT PROBLEMS

THIS CONCLUDES GAUGE READING AND INTERPRETATION 101

I'M LEANING TOWARD HEAD OR HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS TOO. IF NO WATER IS LEAKING EXTERNALLY

I RECOMMEND VISITING SEVERAL AUTO PARTS STORES, CONVERSING WITH THE DELIVERY PEOPLE AND/ OR MANAGER. THEY KNOW WHO DOES GOOD WORK, AT LOWER RATES.I USED TO ASK 'EM, "WHO WOULD YOU SEND YOUR MAMA TO?". INQUIRE AROUND A BIT. NAMES REPEATED OVER AND OVER, SHOULD A. ROUSE YOUR ATTENTION!

THE MEDIC

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