I'm buying a 2000 Park Avenue Ultra tomorrow with 99,421 miles that is in beautiful condition inside and out. I made a deal for $1500 and it has a knock or rattle when it shifts to second. It sounds like a rod knock but it won't knock after first shift even at 6000 rpm. Had not made a deal yet so I didn't go over that mark, shifts and drives great. It is quiet after the first shift so I'm puzzled into thinking flexplate bolt loose or cracked, you can here the knock in park at about 2500 rpm. Thanks for any thoughts.



Will the balancer quit knocking under load, I have been a auto tech for 40 years but tore some fingers up and workman'* comp squashed my career 10 years ago. Or hopefully not a wrist pin. Leonard

Welcome to the forums Leonard, glad to see you got registered ok, I am sure one of our guys that knows more about transmissions will post soon.

Welcome to the forum ! With potentially something unknown or possibly expensive to repair, you could make the vehicle subject to inspection.
A good mechanic could possibly know in short order what may be wrong....and may not cost that much .
It could be money well spent in the long run.

two things come to mind, the torque converter bolts or it just doesnt knock when its under more load which happens the faster you travel. i think i would still buy it you can get a decent 3800 engine for a few hundred. unless you have to have it done then it may not be cost effective.

I always tell anyone buying a vehicle from a private party, to have it taken to a garage, for an inspection, check on recalls, and a road test.....worth one hour'* labor.....may find something you were not aware of......

I was a tech for 40 years and it sounds like a flexplate cracked or loose or maybe the harmonic balancer banging. I just hope it ain't a wrist pin but I can't go wrong at this price. Can the car be driven without the supercharger belt on to eliminate that just a half mile or will it set a code. thanks-Leonard

i think it will run ok when you have the belt off but i wouldnt romp on it, the air restriction from the sc might case issues at higher rpms

Not so lucky it is a rod bearing or wrist pin or bent rod but well worth my time to fix it. thanks again Leonard

Damn, sorry to hear it was not something that would not involve so much work, hope the tear down, and rebuild goes well, let us know how it goes.

Bottom end issues? At 100k miles? I don't like it...