Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

plagee · 03-10-2007, 08:34 PM

Was running the engine today and noticed that from underneath the block it sounds like a bag of marbles rolling around in the pan. Can't figure out what is causing it, has anyone had this happen or any suggestions what may be causing it? Thanks.

**special-K** · 03-10-2007, 09:45 PM

Remove pan,inspect for marbles.Serious about the first part.

plagee · 03-10-2007, 10:16 PM

What should I be looking for? New pan was installed to repair leak.

corn · 03-10-2007, 10:20 PM

I had one that the baffle in the pan came loose on one side & it rattled pretty good. Did you install an old used pan? Just an idea...

cdowns · 03-10-2007, 10:30 PM

could be that your oil pick ip fell off or was moved when pan was installed

mnunn454 · 03-11-2007, 08:43 AM

Are you sure it isn't detonation (pinging) due to the timing being too far advanced? I'd try retarding the timing, just to eliminate it as a possibility.

Assuming it's not timing, When did it 1st show up? Does it ever go away at any time (e.g. when it's cold).

With your hand on the oil pan do you feel any unusual vibration? (Use max safety precautions here).

Is it manual or auto trans? Are the bolts loose, or is the flexplate cracked?

Harmonic balancer coming loose? Water pump bearing going bad?

If manual, it could be throw-out bearing or transmission input shaft bearing. Mechanic's stethescope(sp?) should help you isolate.

Good luck.

AKChevyman · 03-11-2007, 09:34 AM

I was thinking if it has a windage tray or something it could be coming in contact with the crank.

**special-K** · 03-11-2007, 09:41 AM

It could.Better get those marbles out,but quick!

plagee · 03-11-2007, 10:38 AM

The truck has been taken down to the frame, from the cab forward, as we started putting it back together most of the parts have been replaced with new, including oil pan, timing cover, carb, distributer cap, wiring harness, etc. I have not run the truck more than a few minutes at a time due to this noise. Not knowing what it is and not wanting to damage anything I am hesitant to run it longer. I only want to pull the pan off as a last resort especially if only a timing issue. Just want to eliminate all posssiblities first. Damn those marbles.

**Boog** · 03-11-2007, 11:10 AM

You mention you've used a new oil pan so that should eliminate it. What about the torque converter bolts. I have seen a couple of trucks with what sounded like a rod knocking and sounded like it was coming from the oil pan but turned out to be the three converter bolts loose. I would have bet money it was a rod. As mentioned the flexplate could be cracked and making this noise also.

xmitsu10 · 03-11-2007, 06:03 PM

Running an auto trans? If yes, are you running it with the torque converter cover on the bell housing? I put one on, truck ran fine for about 500 miles and then the cover got sucked into the ring gear teeth (after one of my hard accelerations) and sounded like hell. Thought I did some real damage and was seeing big dollar signs until I determined it was just the cover. Removed the cover and all is fine. Don't run with it anymore.

Just another thought.

Mark

**special-K** · 03-11-2007, 11:51 PM

I had a dual-mass flywheel fail in my diesel a few months after installing a completely new motor.I started it and it sounded like the bottom end was coming out of it.I shut it down,got a ride,trailered it back home,and did an oil analysis...no metal in oil.Then I thought about that DMF.No not the guy who decided these were a good idea.The dual-mass flywheel.I pulled the trans and t-case and found it was peeling out from the center like a sardine can.I`m sure a loose or damaged flexplate or loose torque converter could ring out some racket from the bell housing.

RACINJASON22 · 03-12-2007, 12:16 AM

DMF that put those marbles in the pan for a joke would get his cut off. J/K
I would try what was stated above Timing/flywheel issuse but, the pan coming off to have a look if they don't fix it would be my next step for sure. Good Luck with it.

DangerBoy · 03-12-2007, 12:25 AM

I've had that noise with mine in the past. Check your flexplate bolts and if theyre loose put in some lock washers and torque them down to the specs.

jhow66 · 03-12-2007, 12:37 AM

Was it making this noise before you did the work on it?

stllookn · 03-12-2007, 01:58 AM

Get an automotive stethoscope from your auto parts store and follow the noise. It could also be the water pump going out.

CRCustoms · 03-12-2007, 03:06 AM

dont forget to check your turn signal fluid. and did you put the summer air in your tires yet??

CCCC · 03-12-2007, 02:14 PM

If you have auto trans and cannot hear any noise from within the crankcase when using a stethescope (you can make a cheap scope with a smaller diameter tin can and some thin welding rod stuck through a tight hole in the middle of the closed end), then the guys talking about loose flex plate bolts or broken plate are probably right on target. If it is a shot plate, do not run it. The result will be a chewed up pump, etc. in the trans. Hope this helps.

plagee · 03-12-2007, 05:39 PM

The truck has a manual trans. I don't remember the noise being there before the tear down, the engine sat without starting for about a year. Will check the timing this week. Got the summer air in the tires, Napa had to order the turn signal fluid, and they suggested to replace the sphincter valve while I am at it.

**John Fabris** · 03-12-2007, 08:11 PM

Just throwing this our there... Is the crank pully or balancer touching the front crossmember?

wannabelow · 03-12-2007, 08:34 PM

i did a motor swap on my 98 and had a real bad noice and it ended up being the bolts for the fly weel hitting the trany inspecting plate

**WorkinLonghorn** · 03-12-2007, 09:04 PM

OK,here's my 2 cents; I had a noise that I would describe like yours and I was all worried and it turned out to be the "rebuilt" POS AutoZone alternator that I just installed. Had bad bearings and make a bad rattling noise that I thought was further down.

03-10-2007, 08:34 PM	#1
plagee Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Grayslake, Ill. Posts: 38	Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? Was running the engine today and noticed that from underneath the block it sounds like a bag of marbles rolling around in the pan. Can't figure out what is causing it, has anyone had this happen or any suggestions what may be causing it? Thanks.

03-10-2007, 09:45 PM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? Remove pan,inspect for marbles.Serious about the first part. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-10-2007, 10:16 PM	#3
plagee Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Grayslake, Ill. Posts: 38	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? What should I be looking for? New pan was installed to repair leak.

03-10-2007, 10:20 PM	#4
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? I had one that the baffle in the pan came loose on one side & it rattled pretty good. Did you install an old used pan? Just an idea...

03-10-2007, 10:30 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? could be that your oil pick ip fell off or was moved when pan was installed __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY Last edited by cdowns; 03-10-2007 at 10:31 PM.

03-11-2007, 08:43 AM	#6
mnunn454 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 602	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? Are you sure it isn't detonation (pinging) due to the timing being too far advanced? I'd try retarding the timing, just to eliminate it as a possibility. Assuming it's not timing, When did it 1st show up? Does it ever go away at any time (e.g. when it's cold). With your hand on the oil pan do you feel any unusual vibration? (Use max safety precautions here). Is it manual or auto trans? Are the bolts loose, or is the flexplate cracked? Harmonic balancer coming loose? Water pump bearing going bad? If manual, it could be throw-out bearing or transmission input shaft bearing. Mechanic's stethescope(sp?) should help you isolate. Good luck. __________________ 69 C-10 SWB Fleetside 454/TH400 (For Sale) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/c...ct=1299&cat=12 70 El Camino 454 TH700 29 Model A 4-DR Sedan Deluxe Last edited by mnunn454; 03-11-2007 at 08:44 AM.

03-11-2007, 09:34 AM	#7
AKChevyman Chevy Forever Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Dalzell SC Posts: 314	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? I was thinking if it has a windage tray or something it could be coming in contact with the crank. __________________ My first love 1971 C20 Hugger orange Getting face lift and heart transplant .30 402 BB /TH400 and GV Wifes car 1969 Chevelle SS 396 325hp/TH400 Factroy A/C Automatic w/ Floor shift console. restored.

03-11-2007, 09:41 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? It could.Better get those marbles out,but quick! __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-11-2007, 10:38 AM	#9
plagee Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Grayslake, Ill. Posts: 38	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? The truck has been taken down to the frame, from the cab forward, as we started putting it back together most of the parts have been replaced with new, including oil pan, timing cover, carb, distributer cap, wiring harness, etc. I have not run the truck more than a few minutes at a time due to this noise. Not knowing what it is and not wanting to damage anything I am hesitant to run it longer. I only want to pull the pan off as a last resort especially if only a timing issue. Just want to eliminate all posssiblities first. Damn those marbles.

03-11-2007, 11:10 AM	#10
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,514	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? You mention you've used a new oil pan so that should eliminate it. What about the torque converter bolts. I have seen a couple of trucks with what sounded like a rod knocking and sounded like it was coming from the oil pan but turned out to be the three converter bolts loose. I would have bet money it was a rod. As mentioned the flexplate could be cracked and making this noise also. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

03-11-2007, 06:03 PM	#11
xmitsu10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alton, New Hampshire Posts: 274	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? Running an auto trans? If yes, are you running it with the torque converter cover on the bell housing? I put one on, truck ran fine for about 500 miles and then the cover got sucked into the ring gear teeth (after one of my hard accelerations) and sounded like hell. Thought I did some real damage and was seeing big dollar signs until I determined it was just the cover. Removed the cover and all is fine. Don't run with it anymore. Just another thought. Mark __________________ 71 Cheyenne SWB Last edited by xmitsu10; 03-11-2007 at 06:04 PM. Reason: typo

03-11-2007, 11:51 PM	#12
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? I had a dual-mass flywheel fail in my diesel a few months after installing a completely new motor.I started it and it sounded like the bottom end was coming out of it.I shut it down,got a ride,trailered it back home,and did an oil analysis...no metal in oil.Then I thought about that DMF.No not the guy who decided these were a good idea.The dual-mass flywheel.I pulled the trans and t-case and found it was peeling out from the center like a sardine can.I`m sure a loose or damaged flexplate or loose torque converter could ring out some racket from the bell housing. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

03-12-2007, 12:16 AM	#13
RACINJASON22 GEARHEAD Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: CENTRAL,PA Posts: 2,284	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? DMF that put those marbles in the pan for a joke would get his cut off. J/K I would try what was stated above Timing/flywheel issuse but, the pan coming off to have a look if they don't fix it would be my next step for sure. Good Luck with it. __________________ 72 SWB 2WD MY PROJECT 72 LWB 4X4 FUTURE PROJECT SUBSCRIBE HEREBOARD VENDORS HERE NORWOOD MEET SURVIVOR!

03-12-2007, 12:25 AM	#14
DangerBoy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Springville, Ca Posts: 270	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? I've had that noise with mine in the past. Check your flexplate bolts and if theyre loose put in some lock washers and torque them down to the specs. __________________ 2002 S10 ZR2 for the dirt. 1968 C10 shorty for the street. She said the truck would be the end of us. I still have the truck!

03-12-2007, 12:37 AM	#15
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? Was it making this noise before you did the work on it? __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

03-12-2007, 01:58 AM	#16
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? Get an automotive stethoscope from your auto parts store and follow the noise. It could also be the water pump going out. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

03-12-2007, 03:06 AM	#17
CRCustoms Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 20	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? dont forget to check your turn signal fluid. and did you put the summer air in your tires yet??

03-12-2007, 02:14 PM	#18
CCCC Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Pedro River, SE Arizona Posts: 734	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? If you have auto trans and cannot hear any noise from within the crankcase when using a stethescope (you can make a cheap scope with a smaller diameter tin can and some thin welding rod stuck through a tight hole in the middle of the closed end), then the guys talking about loose flex plate bolts or broken plate are probably right on target. If it is a shot plate, do not run it. The result will be a chewed up pump, etc. in the trans. Hope this helps. __________________ CCCC 67 Sting Ray Coupe 327 4sp; 68 K10 Suburban 327 4sp; 69 K20 Lifted 383 4sp; 69 C80 Fire Truck 478 V6 5sp/2sp; 69 C20 Longhorn 327 4sp; 70 C30 Wrecker 350 4sp; 70 C30 Flat Bed 350 4sp; 71 C20 LWB 350 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer 350 4sp; 72 C30 Flat Bed Gooseneck Hauler with sleeper 350/TH400; 72 C20 Longhorn 402 4sp; 52 Mack LTL Supercharged Cummins 5sp x 3sp; 01 Dodge 5.9 HO Cummins 6spd; 02 Safari Trek 2430 8.1 Vortec on Workhorse Chassis; 03 Silverado 2500 HD 4wd Duramax/Allison Moved but still in the family 70 C20 Custom Camper 350/TH350; 72 K5 Blazer CST Highlander 350/TH350 Recently sent to new homes 72 C30 MoHome 402 4sp; 72 K5 Blazer Conv 350 4sp; 75 GMC 6000 Aerial 350 w Allison; 72 GMC 3500 Utility 350 4sp; 70 GMC 3500, 350 4sp

03-12-2007, 05:39 PM	#19
plagee Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Grayslake, Ill. Posts: 38	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? The truck has a manual trans. I don't remember the noise being there before the tear down, the engine sat without starting for about a year. Will check the timing this week. Got the summer air in the tires, Napa had to order the turn signal fluid, and they suggested to replace the sphincter valve while I am at it.

03-12-2007, 08:11 PM	#20
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? Just throwing this our there... Is the crank pully or balancer touching the front crossmember? __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

03-12-2007, 08:34 PM	#21
wannabelow Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: calgary Posts: 224	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? i did a motor swap on my 98 and had a real bad noice and it ended up being the bolts for the fly weel hitting the trany inspecting plate

03-12-2007, 09:04 PM	#22
WorkinLonghorn Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Studio City, Calif. Posts: 2,883	Re: Sounds like bag of marbles in oil pan? OK,here's my 2 cents; I had a noise that I would describe like yours and I was all worried and it turned out to be the "rebuilt" POS AutoZone alternator that I just installed. Had bad bearings and make a bad rattling noise that I thought was further down. __________________ '69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.