So today, after driving interstate speed for 10 miles @ 75mph, I was slowing down on an offramp. As I slowed through 35ish mph, my oil light came on, accompained by a simultaneous engine shutdown. Absolutely no warning, smoke, sluggishness, noise, or any indication that the engine was about to die. I had to coast to a stop using the ebrake. I couldn't restart. The starter would engage with a 100-200 rpm indication, but nothing else to indicate firing in the cylinders. Fluids all checked fine, no visible damage with a possible exception of a broken belt, but I couldn't see if it was or not. When I tried to restart the engine didn't sound right, almost like there was something or several somethings clunking around or something like a belt was wrapped around a shaft, but like I said, I couldn't see well enough to tell if the belt was broken.

The car has 102700 miles on it. I've owned it since 97000. The last oil change was 101000.

Does anybody have any clue what this could be??? I've been driving cars for 15 years and have NEVER been able to drive a disabled vehicle clear of the road before. This time I was literally dead in my tracks. The car is parked at the dealer waiting until Monday right now. Somebody please help me out!

 

Timing chain/belt??

 

Sorry to hear this. Your description of things does not mke it sound to good. If the timing chain were to have broken then the sounds you are/were hearing while trying to restart would most likely be the chain being hit by the crank sprocket as well as the pistons hitting the valves. Hopefully it is not the chain that is the issue and is something a lot less detramental and less costly. If it was the chain you might be looking at a new engine.

 

"I had to coast to a stop using the ebrake."

The brakes will still work with the engine not running. Why would you use the emergency brake?

 

X2 on the timing chain possibility. Did it crank faster than normal when turning over?

I hope its something much simpler for your sake...

And if you were driving under normal conditions, It seems less likely that the timing chain would break, but who knows

 

So I used the ebrake because after holding the brakes down their effectiveness dropped and there was a stopped car in front of me.

I didn't even think about the timing chain. That actually would explain what happened a lot better that anything else. A sudden shutdown with no warning and unable to restart. I was suspecting the turbo or the dropped transmission gear but either one of those I would have been able to limp out of the road. Ill keep you guys informed once I hear from the dealer so u can get urs checked out if u want to. Any ideas what a new engine goes for?

 

Oh, and the crank speed was 100-200 rpm. Barely moved on the tach. I looked while cranking and I don't think the pulleys were turning. That's when I gave up trying to start it.

 

Here are a couple, might as well build one if you have too. 500hp ?

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/deleted-threads-41/lnf-2-0l-complete-engine-45692/

 

Omg, a new one is 4100?!?

 

And around $1500 to have it installed...