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2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine
by mjonesinthenw
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Feb 11, 2007 (8:45 pm)
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I have 84555 miles on my Aztek and I have noticed I have to keep putting water in the radiator. No lights or warning instruments have come on. I just got my oil changed about 2500 miles ago. The engine started making a pinging noise when I start it up. It last for just a little while, until it warms up, then goes away. I added some more water to the resevoir and the noise went away. I just added some Dex-Coolant and the noise is back. Does anyone know what this could be?
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- #2 of 72
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Re: 2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine [mjonesinthenw]
by jpf
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Feb 11, 2007 (10:38 pm)
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Replying to: mjonesinthenw (Feb 11, 2007 8:45 pm)
The fact that you're losing coolant may indicate that you have the infamous leaking intake manifold gasket. A common problem with the 3.4 liter engine. You need to get it checked out right of way, especially if the coolant is getting into your oil. Good luck.
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- #3 of 72
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Re: 2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine [jpf]
by mjonesinthenw
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Feb 11, 2007 (11:05 pm)
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Replying to: jpf (Feb 11, 2007 10:38 pm)
There doesn't appear to be any water in the oil as of this evening. But, the water does evaporate quickly with no signs of leaking anywhere and no signs of moisture out the exhaust.
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- #4 of 72
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Re: 2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine [mjonesinthenw]
by ray80
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Feb 12, 2007 (10:22 am)
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Replying to: mjonesinthenw (Feb 11, 2007 11:05 pm)
If it is the lower intake gasket issue, they tend to leak externaly initialy. You may be able to see it if it is. You can look at the engine from drivers side front. Just a little higher and beyond pivot point for engine you should be able to see the gasket (line between parts could be black or blue). If you see dark oily looking wet spot there it is most likely the gasket failure and you may have to 'follow' that line around the whole engine as it could leak anywhere. The coolant tends to evaporate, but the stain remains.
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- #5 of 72
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Re: 2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine [ray80]
by draw1
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Mar 08, 2007 (10:51 am)
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Replying to: ray80 (Feb 12, 2007 10:22 am)
I have this problem with a 2003 pontiac grand am do you know if changing the intake gasket will fix the noise or is that another problem
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- #6 of 72
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Re: 2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine [draw1]
by ray80
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Mar 08, 2007 (11:05 am)
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Replying to: draw1 (Mar 08, 2007 10:51 am)
Actually I think the noise is different, intake gasket troubles shouldn't cause any noise unless it goes way way to long and engine is failing. Noise at startup (perhaps more so in cold temps) that goes away after warmup I think is common (it may be 'piston slap') and while I have heard of complaints, supposedly it doesn't indicate a real problem.
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- #7 of 72
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Re: 2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine [ray80]
by mjonesinthenw
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Mar 10, 2007 (6:18 pm)
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Replying to: ray80 (Mar 08, 2007 11:05 am)
I don't know if it is the same issue. I keep putting water into the reserve container at least once a week. After I put the water in, the noise goes away. Now my change oil light is on. I checked my oil and it is fine. The noise sounds like an engine is out of oil ( someone told me that). A long time ago after I first got the vehicle, I was told by Pontiac that I had a little leak in the heads. They didn't offer to fix it as they told me it is fine for now. Well if the heads seems to be the problem, my car is out of warranty. Can I hold them to fixing this, since the problem started back in 2003 when I first got the vehicle? The car didn't make a noise during the whole time I've had the vehicle until last month. I bought the vehicle with 11 miles on it and now I have 85,234.
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- #8 of 72
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Re: 2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine [mjonesinthenw]
by ray80
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Mar 11, 2007 (6:37 am)
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Replying to: mjonesinthenw (Mar 10, 2007 6:18 pm)
Noise that goew away after adding coolant doesn't sound good to me at all. If you are lucky, it may just be bearings in water pump complaining. If your 03 was built early in model year, it is most likely the intake manifold gaskets that are casuing coolant loss. The dealer can confirn where the coolnat is going, and I would get it fixed right away as it seems your adding it quite often. I would not expect the dealer to take care of it if you only got verbal mention of it.
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- #9 of 72
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Re: 2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine [ray80]
by mjonesinthenw
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Mar 11, 2007 (7:07 am)
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Replying to: ray80 (Mar 11, 2007 6:37 am)
I worked on older cars and i know that the intake manifold is, I can't see where this one is and i can't find a repair book. Can you help me out on that? I can't find a repair book for the 03 Aztek, do you know where I might be able to snag one?
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- #10 of 72
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Re: 2003 Pontiac Aztek Pinging Noise in Engine [mjonesinthenw]
by caliberchic
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Mar 11, 2007 (7:10 am)
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Replying to: mjonesinthenw (Mar 11, 2007 7:07 am)
You can get one Here
It's $27.50
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