200? Trailblazer with 4.2 DOHC I6 lifter failure

['02 ws6]

Well my mother-in-law let her TB get low on oil and now there's a ton of clatter out of the lifters.

My question for you Charlie, does replacing the lifters require the heads to be removed? I'm not familiar at all with the V6 vortecs, but I assume they're similar to the V8s only with 2 less cylinders.
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[GRRRR8]

Change the oil, put 10W40, let warm up and hold at 2000-2500 rpms for 3 minutes. They should pump back up and be fine.

['02 ws6]

^Done it already. She ran it basically empty. I drained the remaining oil, and stuffed it plumb full of 10w30. Fired it up, and let it get to closed loop, then had father-in-law hold it around 2k rpms for around 2-2 1/2 minutes. Still haven't quieted down, I'm hoping its not a knock I'm hearing!

Is this particular vortec the same as the V8s but with the back two cylinders cut off essentially?
BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104

[GRRRR8]

If its a V6 it is a 4.3. The inline is a 4.2. V6 is just like working on a 350 except it has a balance shaft. I hope she didnt cook the bearings on it and its rattling.

['02 ws6]

Ok its the 4200 Vortec. I'm hoping the same thing, and that its just lifters. Is the lifter valley accessible by just removing the intake on this particular motor?
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[GRRRR8]

If it is the 4200 it is a in-line 6 DOHC. This engine has whats called lash adjusters. Specialty tools required to disassemble engine and remove cams to access lash adjusters.

['02 ws6]

Oh yippee lol, ok I'm gonna go break the news to them that they need to start selling body parts/organs on the black market to fix it then!
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[GRRRR8]

I wished you lived closer so I could hear it. It might be worth a bottle of Lucas in the oil as I just fixed a 3800 that blew the intake and flooded the lifters with coolant. It wouldnt shut up. Lucas and the noise is gone. It did take 3 8-10 minute sessions at 2500 rpms to do it though.

['02 ws6]

I'll shoot a vid of it tomorrow and let you hear it. I didn't think they made a DOHC Vortec either! Shows hoe much I know outside of the LSx world.....:)
BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104

[GRRRR8]

We know an LSX will bolt right in there too. :woohoo:

[Andy@Livernois]

We know an LSX will bolt right in there too. :woohoo:
if its a 2000 for certain its a 4.3 v6 vortec as this trailblazer was simply a trim level on the standard s/t-series blaze, and unfortunately the LS series family of engines is by far a bolt in for these... remember my original screen name 88ls1blazer... i had to remove 4 inches out of my front crossmember to clear the truck oil pan on an LS1...

[WickedMom]

I wished you lived closer so I could hear it. It might be worth a bottle of Lucas in the oil as I just fixed a 3800 that blew the intake and flooded the lifters with coolant. It wouldnt shut up. Lucas and the noise is gone. It did take 3 8-10 minute sessions at 2500 rpms to do it though.

Lucas fixes EVERYTHING!!! god I love that stuff.

['02 ws6]

Well its NOT an '00 like I first posted, but the motor is the 4.2 I6 DOHC.

Well Lucas didn't work for us today:(, what started off as a bit of clatter, is now a full blown knock!

Shopping around for motors tomorrow. If anyone hears of one for sale through the limewire, let me know!

They're first impression was to buy one from the stealership for ......here it comes, hold onto your nipples!......$4400!!!!!:eek: so I'm going to find them one that's hopefully a TON cheaper.
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[zepcom]

Well its NOT an '00 like I first posted, but the motor is the 4.2 I6 DOHC.

Well Lucas didn't work for us today:(, what started off as a bit of clatter, is now a full blown knock!

Shopping around for motors tomorrow. If anyone hears of one for sale through the limewire, let me know!

They're first impression was to buy one from the stealership for ......here it comes, hold onto your nipples!......$4400!!!!!:eek: so I'm going to find them one that's hopefully a TON cheaper.
BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104


We had a 2002 Trailblazer with the i6 4.2L and currently have a 2007 TB with the updated version of that same engine. You may want to head over to trailvoy.com as I've used that in the past and there are a lot of helpful/knowledgeable people over there that may be able to steer you in the right direction.

The first 2 model years that the trailblazer was out (2002-2003), there were many reports of loud knocking engine noises (and our 2002 exhibited these same symptoms as well) until the engine warmed up. They've since fixed that in the later models (our 2007 has been very reliable and at 295hp it isn't a slouch either!)

Sounds like you might be needing a new engine, that's a tough pill to swallow... err... I guess for "her" then. Maybe the routine maintenance will be followed a bit more carefully from here on in? :spank:

--zepcom

['02 ws6]

Charlie, other than the motor mounts, what else will be needed in order to do a 5.3 swap? PS pump and starter also?

[GRRRR8]

Charlie, other than the motor mounts, what else will be needed in order to do a 5.3 swap? PS pump and starter also?

Possibly transmission and cooler lines, ecm and wiring harness, a/c lines and accessories. Too much to make it worth it.

['02 ws6]

Yup, you're right, they're looking at doing just a general overhaul/rebuild on it. I've found a couple of low mileage shortblocks they could swap in and save a boat load of $$, but they just want to go fresh.