Hole in the oil pan, strange debris, but drives

[PeteCT]

Hi guys, I got a Tahoe 2007 5.3 LS Flex for restoration from the auction and it's a first day.


So far,
I got this crazy hole in the oil pan (should be an oil pan)..

And some strange debris that I found under the engine bay after I moved the truck.
Car actually drives and doesn't sound crazy (4 cyl, I was afraid to turn into 8)
so it shouldn't be crankshaft or whatever. I hope.

Will try to remove whatever is left of the oil pan and look further.

 

[PeteCT]

here is the hole

 

[PeteCT]

and here is that strange part I found on the ground

 

[Rocket Man]

That doesn’t look good at all.

 

[PeteCT]

agree on that part.
nice cars btw!

curious if someone has an idea where that metal stick is coming from. or (just maybe) it could be just something random due to the truck was sitting God knows where.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

here is the hole

View attachment 224077

Hmmm. This is definitely NOT normal.

 

[swathdiver]

and here is that strange part I found on the ground

View attachment 224078

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a wrist pin to me.

 

[PG01]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a wrist pin to me.

Agree

 

[SnowDrifter]

I'm impressed as hell the thing runs

 

[swathdiver]

I'm impressed as hell the thing runs

Still got seven left! LOL

 

[thompsoj22]

Probably just needs an afm delete and a tune, LOL Hope the rest of the truck is in decent condition and that it is a worthwhile project. welcome!

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a wrist pin to me.

Good call.

 

[petethepug]

Bullet hole from transplant motor and some of the shwag that fell into the bay during the process. Ha!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rocket Man]

Welcome to the forum. Looks like a wrist pin to me.

Bingo.

 

[thompsoj22]

Bingo.

im in agreement but how would it still drive?

 

[PG01]

im in agreement but how would it still drive?

Considering the hole in the oil pan and that there is no oil left, it won’t start for very much longer. The wrist pin holds the piston to the rod. crank is still spinning and moving the 7 other rods and pistons normally, even the broken one to an extent, so it will start, run and drive......until the bearings seize due to lack of Oil.

 

[PeteCT]

Considering the hole in the oil pan and that there is no oil left, it won’t start for very much longer. The wrist pin holds the piston to the rod. crank is still spinning and moving the 7 other rods and pistons normally, even the broken one to an extent, so it will start, run and drive......until the bearings seize due to lack of Oil.

I definitely wouldn't do that , but I will pull down the oil pan today and will see what is going on from the bottom. Can be a little bit challenging due to the damage but will see.
I have a feeling that whoever had this car (according to the crams, fries, chicken nuggets and etc) was running on low oil and it cause that damage. So, if it is, I would need to change all the pistons, wrists and etc. If I understand it right, if I would fix just one, others could pop any time. Nobody knows what damage was done to that engine generally.

Based on all of that that I guess I would need to make a decision if that engine worth for restoration or I would have to swap it (huh pricey).

 

[PG01]

I definitely wouldn't do that , but I will pull down the oil pan today and will see what is going on from the bottom. Can be a little bit challenging due to the damage but will see.

Based on that I guess I would need to make a decision if that engine worth for restoration or I would have to swap it (huh pricey).

If the rest of tge truck is good, body and drivetrain... get a junkyard motor and toss it in. Considering the wrist pin broken, at the minimum that cylinder is toast. Id start looking for a motor. Imo

 

[swathdiver]

I definitely wouldn't do that , but I will pull down the oil pan today and will see what is going on from the bottom. Can be a little bit challenging due to the damage but will see.
I have a feeling that whoever had this car (according to the crams, fries, chicken nuggets and etc) was running on low oil and it cause that damage. So, if it is, I would need to change all the pistons, wrists and etc. Nobody knows what damage was done to that engine generally.

Based on all of that that I guess I would need to make a decision if that engine worth for restoration or I would have to swap it (huh pricey).

The piston has come apart as had the wrist pin and the rod is banging against the cylinder wall. I don't think a hone would fix that! You're best bet is to get the engine out onto a stand and take it apart for a detailed inspection. I reckon though that it will cost less to replace it than to repair it but you won't know for sure until you open it up.

 

[PeteCT]

Thanks guys for your input. It really helps and I don't feel alone with the challenge.

I will drop down the pan, will see if there some disaster, if not I will remove the head and see what's going on with the pistons from the top.

If what you suggested and (I feel like it's 99.9% correct), I guess I would need to make a decision, look for a re-manufactured engine which I found about 2600-2900 or look for a junkyard one, but on eBay they sell them no less than 1400-1500. I question myself if it worth to get an unknown engine for such money.

Any advice would be highly appreciated