2003 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.1 litre engine tick/knock

SCOTTWOLLESEN

MEMBER
2003 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
75,000 MILES

The 3.1 in my Grand Prix started makeing a noise that sounds exactly like a sticky lifter at about 70,000 miles. Over the last 5,000 miles it has gotten louder. It is loudest when the engine is cold but can still be heard a little after it warms up. No loss of power, no colland leaks at the intake gasket, no coolant in the oil.
I have read a couple places and pretty sure I even saw it mentioned here that the 3.1 has a known issue with wrist pins. I'm certain I have even seen the GM piston replcement kit for that issue. It's said that this noise issue has been determined to have NO effect on engine performance or longevity.
Yesterday I took the car to my local Pontiac dealer to ask one of the service writers if the noise in my engine was THAT noise. He looked at me like a deer in headlights and said he had never heard of any issues with the 3.1.
Now I am lost and don't know what to think. Any ideas?
Thanks.
Scott

2 Replies

SCOTTWOLLESEN

MEMBER
11 POSTS

To kind of elaborate on my situation, I am going to be driving this car from Seattle to Jacksonville Florida next month and I'm not sure it's long trip worthy. I am also reading a lot of blogs about owners of 3.1 vehicles starting to have issues at about 80,000 miles and I'm wondering if I should just sell this car now before something major goes wrong.
In my younger days we used to test for loose rocker arms or noisey valve trains by sticking a screwdriver to your ear. Is there any way I can confirm if this noise is top end and not bottom end without pulling it apart? Secondly, how can I find out if this 2003 3.1 has the bad intake gasket I am reading so much about? I have a gut feeling that if this noise is valve train related and not piston, I am going to have future intake manifold problems if I break the factory seal to fix it.