Ive owned my 1999, 2 door, 3.1L, Monte for about 4 months. I've been having a lot of problems with it off and on. I maintain general upkeep pretty well, and do everything I can to help her ride. I absolutely love my car regardless of the issues and couple dents.

Recently my oil light popped on, checked oil and was full, but topped off all my fluids again anyways, and changed the oil. Just to be sure, this was about a month ago. Two weeks ago my oil light came on again, was slightly low so I added a quart.

On my way home I was doin about 85 on the highway and then my change oil, oil, security, and check engine lights came on. I heard a loud knock and started to slow down. The engine completely died. I was totally confused and pulled to the shoulder. Tried turning her over but got nowhere. Sounded like the timing was off or something. I tried a few more times and could kinda get her going if I gave her gas while turning the ignition. I kept it at around 1k to 3k rpms to coast about another mile at 25mph with a persistent knock and nearly all the peddle.

Then completely dead. Anti-lock kicked on and I couldn't turn it over at all. I disconnected the battery terminals briefly along with checking the oil and other fluids, and could slightly get a spin up but nothing more. Finally I couldn't even turn it over at all. The ON lights, dash, head and tail, all slowly dimming to a near dead before I pulled my keys out.

I then checked my oil well, wish I would of first, My well was completely dry and steaming from the heat. It was -5 degrees. How screwed am I?

 

Yea h id say motor is toast. But you b able to get another 3.1/3.4 cheap tho

 

Running it with no oil and the knock, i agree, sounds like the motor is toast. Lack of oil and heat levels probably damaged many of the internals (anything from bearings to rings).

But if you still want to keep the Monte, sourcing another 3100 should not be hard to do. Very common engine. Also, if you want to improve the performance, look into a 3400 swap (from what I've read, it's a fairly straight forward swap from a 3100 to a 3400).

Best of luck and welcome to MCF (just wish it was under better circumstances).

 

So I was wrong, tow truck got her home and

 

So I was wrong, tow truck got her home and oil was full. The driver said my fuel injection may of flooded the 1st and 2nd pistons causing the timing chain to continually buckle until it hydro-locked. Engine smells of gasoline, and wont turn over at all.