200? Trailblazer with 4.2 DOHC I6 lifter failure

**'02 ws6** · 08-15-2009, 05:23 PM

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** · 08-15-2009, 05:30 PM

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** · 08-15-2009, 06:02 PM

^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?
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**GRRRR8** · 08-15-2009, 06:05 PM

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** · 08-15-2009, 06:07 PM

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** · 08-15-2009, 06:13 PM

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** · 08-15-2009, 06:16 PM

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** · 08-15-2009, 06:19 PM

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** · 08-15-2009, 06:34 PM

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.....

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**GRRRR8** · 08-15-2009, 06:35 PM

We know an LSX will bolt right in there too.

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200? Trailblazer with 4.2 DOHC I6 lifter failure

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