jcull35

Trying to figure out where this noise is coming from the lower front of my 3.8. You guys think it’s the oil pump or timing chain?

Link for Video:

Sixty4x4

Hard to tell from a video. Suggestion: remove the serpentine belt and run it for 10-20 seconds. Sounds like water or steering pump to me but like I said hard to diagnose from 2000miles away.

jcull35

That noise is still present with the belt off. That’s what I’m thinking it’s something in that timing cover area.

Sixty4x4

I don't know a lot about 3.8s as I turfed mine for the Chev but I would imagine it is not too hard to go in there and see. Unless it is a real high mileage engine they are pretty stout units and not expensive to buy parts for. If I was doing it I would take the rad and front clip off to work on it as that takes about 20 minutes extra to get off compared to the tight working space otherwise. Then you are looking straight at it. Measured your oil pressure lately?

jcull35

Good call. I’ll check the oil pressure this weekend.