Can anyone tell me whats wrong with my car

Tiny
EMONESTIME
  • MEMBER
  • CHEVROLET LUMINA
I have a 1996 chevy lumina 3.1 liter engine 154,000/mil and for some reason it started to overheat on me after I replaced the radiator then one day I was driving home from work and as I was driving I heard a ticking sound I and the engine stop on me I crancked it back up and drove home on the way home it cut off on me again then I started the car and continue to go home when I arrived in my apartment complex it cut off again and then it became hard to start but when I finally got it started it begin vibrate and as im giving it gas its not picking up any speed and then it cut off on me again and when I finally started it back up it made a poping sound then I parked it in the drive way and went to bed the next morning I started it it was vibrating/shaking and I heard another loud poping sound can someone help me with find out whats going on with this car
Sunday, October 21st, 2007 AT 11:02 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Replacing the radiator did it solved the overheating problem?

Did the CEL came On or flashes?
When was the last major tune-up on it? If so what was replaced and what type of adjustment was made?

Okay-You need to check the battery is it run down all that cranking you'll be doing if so charge it up and get it to 12.4 to 12.8 as possible.

If battery okay-get inside and turn key to On position-do you hear the fuel pump? I need to know this before we continue. We gonna take this thing step by step.
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Sunday, October 21st, 2007 AT 11:44 PM
Tiny
EMONESTIME
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No the radiator did not solve the problem at all
and what is the cel I have no knowledge of what it is and the last tune up was a couple of months ago last year not a major one but spark plugs and wires and oil and thats about it.
So u mean to tell me that its not a blown head gasket how would I be able to tell if its a blown head gasket sir but I admit it does need a major tune up
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Monday, October 22nd, 2007 AT 8:46 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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CEL is the check engine light that tells you something is wrong within the computer's engine management electronic controls.

No am not trying tell you its a blown headgasket, the way to find out is to do a chemical test called Block Check or a pressure test. Or also they can sniff the coolant in the radiator for hydrocarbons to prove a combustion leakage.
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Monday, October 22nd, 2007 AT 5:10 PM
Tiny
EMONESTIME
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Yes the cel is flashing rapidly and I had the spark plugs changed and its still ticking real loud as it were a nissan stick shift car I really dont know what to do from hear im still trying to figure it out.
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 AT 10:28 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If its ticking right on top of the engine -you have some major damages on the valvetrain-could be valves/lifters/camshaft etc. Needs to be open up and assessed repairs.
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 AT 10:33 PM

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