07/15/2017
You never really know what your getting when you buy a used car. Even with due diligence; getting the vehicle looked over by a competent professional, researching the brand, it still takes a bit of LUCK. Stepping out on FAITH in your new relationship with your vehicle takes guts. There are 2 GM 3.4L lifters pictured here. The roller on the left one is destroyed. The problem with this engine has been witnessed by Grade A Automotive more than once. This customer hasn't had this used vehicle long, about 6 months. Shame of it all is that this damage to the engine was likely caused before he owned it. Since the Camshaft is also damaged from the damaged roller riding on it , this entire Engine or it's Camshaft is in need of replacement. The previous owner likely just replaced the damaged lifter which made the car quite and was rid of the problem, ie car. Taking this car to get looked over by a competent shop wouldn't have spotted this problem. Only disassembly of the engine would have spotted the deteriation of the lifter. That thorough of an inspection would costly and definitely unrealistic unless one was purchasing a car north of 50 grand. Sooo, with all the technology we have at fingertips it still takes a little LUCK, FAITH, and HOPE to get a good used, or New Car for that matter. We see lots of poorly engineered new cars as well. This problem was likely hidden from the consumer and the the tech that gave it his or her seal of approval.
