PontiacBonnevilleClub.com

During the mini meet we had at Bill's in March (when I did my rear struts on the 89) we did a scan on my codes and had the 61 for the EGR. Bill tried spraying it and I took it apart and cleaned it when I got home and found it still throwing the code. Pulled out the FSM and did the checks on the solenoid coils and found an open between pin D and pin B. Went to the JY and got a replacement and it worked fine. Two days later....................SES light again. Code 41. In the past I had the harness under the alternator rub on the belt and cut the cam sensor lead to the ICM. Checked it and it is good. Pulled the sensor out and found the magnet still there. I was thinking the sensor was shot. Before buying a sensor I wanted to see what shape the magnet was in, so I was cleaning it up and it looked a little funny. Stuck an extension in there to make sure it was there and not just a bunch of crud and guess what?
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Here are my other photos of the sensor hole:







I am actually surprised. There is no evidence of this engine being apart before. 19 years old and the magnet finally let loose. The good thing is that it didn't end up in the pan. I also found out that they used a soft magnet which is a good thing if it ever ended up in the chain.

Looks like I will be tearing the front of the engine off next weekend. Time to do some painting and dress up.

Eesh... thats nasty. How many miles are on the motor? So thats just a blob of magnetic goo/shavings then? Anything over 100k and its due for a timing chain anyway. When you replace the old magnet, glue the new one in with some JB weld to prevent a code 41 in the future

Oh, and heres a write-up on how to do the TC (for an '88 but it should be mostly the same for an '89): http://lesabret.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5516

Motor has 136000 on it. JB weld wouldn't have helped this. The whole magnet holder is there, it just broke the top section off and when I stuck the extension against it the magnet came out with it. Right now this is an extra car and doesn't get a whole lot of use, so there won't be any rush to putting it back together. I am also lucky that this car is in immaculate shape and no rust or rot anywhere so I shouldn't have any issues of corroded fittings. I also have the FSM if I get to any sticky situations. It has been making a little bit of lifter noise and I was planning on cleaning up and painting the intake and valve covers, so I am going to do it all at once. Probably the pan too. Heck, the only thing missing from an in car rebuild will be the bearings and rings.

136k? It needs the TC anyway then. I need to so the same work to my '88 as I've got a feeling its never been done and its got 165k miles on it....

It also makes a knocking noise on startup till the motor warms up... is that the same lifter noise that you're getting? If so, how are you goign to fix it on your car?

No, mine is more of a rattle, alsmost like the lifters aren't recovering. It is definately in the valve train and I plan on investigating it when I tear it apart. I will get a video of it later and post here so you can hear what I am talking about. Bill heard it and mentioned it when I was there last.

Tearing apart the front of the engine? Sounds like fun.
I suppose an inspection of the magnet cant hurt....

Easy on that car. No torque-axis mount.

Replace the water pump while you're at it. $36 for an AC Delco on rockauto.

Yup, do it all and get it over with. Timing chain, tensioner and sprockets, crank sensor, oil seal, JB Weld the magnet in, water pump, get 'er all back together and you'll be set to go!

Do you think there would be any need for new lifters and cam, or should I just clean the lifters real good?