Ok, so my 3800SC setup has been running for months now without any major problems. Until yesterday...

I drive to the gas station to get gas, and turn the engine off while im filling up... As soon as I turn it back on, I could tell immediately that something is not right. It shutters pretty badly as soon as I hit the gas, and if I let it idle I can hear a "tick" sound coming from the exhaust. It also smells a bit gassy.

I checked diagnostics and my PCM isn't giving any error codes, so that is of no help.

I looked it all over and could not find anything immediately wrong. Im going to be taking it in to the shop to work on it this weekend, but wanted to see if anybody has any bright ideas for what to look at first.

I am thinking the timing chain jumped a tooth or two, how old is the chain and tensioner on your engine. Dan

Sounds like a miss? Plug or plug wire maybe?

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Turbo 3800 E85 5spd spec3
11.74@123

I Have a 2000 Buick regal gs 3800sc as a daily driver.
A months ago mine did this and it ended up being a stuck lifter. I have about 130k on it. It shook and shuddered threw the check engine light and I shut it off

After I ran it for a bit later that day it was fine but it developed a tick when it started up and then would go away in a minute or so.
I ended up changing the synthetic oil out to conventional 10w-40 and added a quart of marvels mystery oil to the crank case. In the colder months it still has a tick in the morning but it isnt anything like that first time.

One of these days I will get around to changing them out...

quote Originally posted by FIEROFLYER: I am thinking the timing chain jumped a tooth or two, how old is the chain and tensioner on your engine. Dan

hrm... This same thought crossed my mind too... Hoping it is not, but it does have an older chain/tensioner. I didnt replace anything in the engine when I installed it, so it has about 30,000 miles on it.

Start with the simple stuff..plug wire on manifold, bad coil, injector stopped up, ect. Put a scan tool on it and see if U are getting any misfires....

I keep hearing about "maybe the timing chain jumped a tooth" Has anybody ever had that happen to them or know of anybody that has had it happen? Not I heard of a guy but actually know the person.

Turned out to be a burned spark plug wire

well that's an easy fix!

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Turbo 3800 E85 5spd spec3
11.74@123

Isn't it great when someone has a problem, Then seeks a solution, And then when the problem is solve come back and lets everyone know the solution that solve the problem. Wish everyone did that.

yeah I have to admit Ive been guilty of that a couple times. I'm glad our little Fiero community is so forgiving. lol