I’m being told my engine is bad

[swathdiver]

The video finally uploaded

Sorry not a great video. It was taken very quickly before work yesterday. I’ll try to get a better video and get the camera underneath the truck

Oil pressure has been fine. I think 40psi at idle and 60psi on the freeway.

That ain't no bottom end problem, that's the flywh... err flexplate. Tighten the bolts first and then look for cracks. Don't go back to them guys, they are either ignorant or thieves and care more about what's in your wallet than fixing your truck. If they succeed in scamming you out of an engine, replacing a cracked flywheel is cheap and you'd never know.

Guys like this is how I learned to turn wrenches!

 

[Michigan]

You say Fly wheel. I say flex plate. LOL!
A Fly wheel is used on a standard transmission where you have the pressure plate.
Flex plate is used on an automatic transmission.
2 different chunks of steel.

Thanks for the clarification. I just read about it here

https://akmicorp.com/flywheel-or-flexplate-whats-in-your-ride/

 

[Michigan]

That ain't no bottom end problem, that's the flywh... err flexplate. Tighten the bolts first and then look for cracks. Don't go back to them guys, they are either ignorant or thieves and care more about what's in your wallet than fixing your truck. If they succeed in scamming you out of an engine, replacing a cracked flywheel is cheap and you'd never know.

Guys like this is how I learned to turn wrenches!

I think the first shop was trying to get me but honestly feel like the second shop was ignorant if this ends up not being an engine problem because they weren’t even aggressive in trying to service it. They said they would do the job if they can locate a used engine from a place they deal with. Not sure why it would be hard to locate a 5.3 anyways but they don’t rebuild engines at the second shop.

How much should a flex plate job cost at a shop if this turns out to be the problem?

Also one more question, if I drive the truck 30 miles to a shop is that ok? Although I may stay local.

 

[iamdub]

I wouldn't let any shop touch my truck if they couldn't determine if a noise was caused by something mechanically broken or an exhaust leak.

Since exhaust was brought up, broken chunks of catalyst in or from the converters or even a baffle inside the muffler could rattle around and make a similar sound that could lessen or go away once the parts expand from heat. But your sounds seems much too loud to be that.

 

[Jeff Groves]

That ain't no bottom end problem, that's the flywh... err flexplate. Tighten the bolts first and then look for cracks. Don't go back to them guys, they are either ignorant or thieves and care more about what's in your wallet than fixing your truck. If they succeed in scamming you out of an engine, replacing a cracked flywheel is cheap and you'd never know.

Guys like this is how I learned to turn wrenches!

Exactly! They want to soak you for as much as they can get out of your wallet!
You don't even have to drop the transmission to fix this.
Remove the drive shaft and move the trans back a few inches.
If done right? It's maybe a days work on a 2 wheel drive.

 

[iamdub]

How much should a flex plate job cost at a shop if this turns out to be the problem?

About the same as a rear main seal replacement, plus the cost of the flex plate. You should have the rear seal replaced since it'll be torn down to that point. Actually, you could call around to shops to get a quote on a rear main seal replacement and just have them install the new flex plate you'll so conveniently have in the passenger floorboard.

 

[ivin74]

I think the first shop was trying to get me but honestly feel like the second shop was ignorant if this ends up not being an engine problem because they weren’t even aggressive in trying to service it. They said they would do the job if they can locate a used engine from a place they deal with. Not sure why it would be hard to locate a 5.3 anyways but they don’t rebuild engines at the second shop.

How much should a flex plate job cost at a shop if this turns out to be the problem?

The flexplate is no expensive its the labor, you have to drop the transmision or move it out to replace it. I have seen shops charge between 400 to 600 to drop the transmision.

 

[Michigan]

The flexplate is no expensive its the labor, you have to drop the transmision or move it out to replace it. I have seen shops charge between 400 to 600 to drop the transmision.

Yeah I figured the labor would be the cost. Do you recommend taking to a transmission shop specifically or any reputable all service shop will do?

 

[Tonyrodz]

Happened to my 1st Express van, and I think my present van is having the same issue. Sounds just like yours.
Broken flywheel/flexplate.

 

[Jeff Groves]

I'd ask around to see if I could get leads on a good shop.
The transmission does not need to be dropped if it's a 2 wheel drive.
If it's 4 wheel drive? Your gonna pony up some bucks.