Loud engine noise at Idle?

JUANEMMANUEL

MEMBER
2001 BUICK REGAL
3.8L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

Recently changed the timing cover gasket and seal, and the water pump gasket. Torqued everything to spec. Now the car is making a weird sound. It sort of sounds like a diesel engine. And it seems a bit hesitant when accelerating. Here's a video of the sound. Also, I had not noticed that the oil pressure light came on. As a side note, I did remove the oil filter housing and replaced that gasket too. However, I put everything back together how it was, including a small spring and cap that goes inside the housing. Also, I did not disturb the oil pump gears when I changed the timing cover seal.

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3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Thanks for the video, it helps. "Oil pressure light came on" seems to be the problem, the engine sounds like it has no oil pressure. What can happen is the gasket material can go down into the oil pan and clog the oil pump pick up. I would remove the oil pan to clean it out. Here is how to fix the problem. Also, I would not start the engine anymore or you are going to hurt it. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response to the problem so we can see what's going on.

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Sunday, March 17th, 2024 AT 9:55 AM

JUANEMMANUEL

MEMBER
48 POSTS

*Solved*
So I removed the oil pan but nothing was really inside it, other than a little crud accumulated over the years.
The real problem turned out to be the oil pressure relief valve and spring that goes between the timing cover and the oil filter adapter housing. I put it in backwards. The spring should go towards the timing cover the pressure relief valve should go towards the oil filter housing. When you put it backwards, the small valve blocks the oil flow. Below is a picture of how it should go. Thanks again.

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