4.3L Problem

nmiller803 · March 19, 2006

I have a 2004, GMC safari 4.3 L, I have only had it 3 months. The first time I changed the oil I had metal shavings on the oil plug mag. I just changed the oil again and there is more metal on the plug not as much this time. I noticed that the crank pully and ballancer had a slight wobble. I can also move the crank shaft in and out about an 1/8". Is any of this normal? The motor has 40000 miles.

GM-Tech · March 20, 2006

I can also move the crank shaft in and out about an 1/8". Is any of this normal?

Uhhhh, that's WAY, WAY too much. You got a problem there. End play spec is probably on the order of .002" - .006" and you're saying you have .125"!

nmiller803 · March 20, 2006

well, I was guessing at an 1/8 but its not far from that. Is there an exceptable wobble for the pully and ballancer? Is some metal on plug normal? This was a "GM certified vehicle" and I purchased an extended warranty. Can I take this van to any dealer our do I have to go back to the purchaser, They are clueless. I told them about the metal the first time and they said it was normal. Thanks

GM-Tech · March 20, 2006

Metal shavings on the drain plug are not normal. There's no spec for "wobble". It really shouldn't, but a tiny bit may just be pully runout and it wouldn't worry me. Depends on how much I guess.

If it's GM certified, take it in. The crankshaft should not have anywhere near the amount of endplay you describe. You should be able to go to any Chevy dealer, but that could depend on a number of factors.