Serious, serious engine problem
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I've spent half the day on the phone, mostly to Consumer Direct and Citizen's Advice. I haven't arranged for it to be taken to a mechanic yet, as i've been in touch with the garage.
That 6 months warranty thing refers to a 'Burden of Proof' that lies with the seller, it means they have to prove the car didn't have this problem at the time of the sale and that it was unforseeable. I explained the situation to the garage, they asked about the oil etc. which i assured them was fine. The guy on the phone told me he'd pass it on to his manager and to call them back in the morning to "see where we go from here". Which is quite promising really, it's better than a straight no.
So maybe i'll get somewhere (:
That 6 months warranty thing refers to a 'Burden of Proof' that lies with the seller, it means they have to prove the car didn't have this problem at the time of the sale and that it was unforseeable. I explained the situation to the garage, they asked about the oil etc. which i assured them was fine. The guy on the phone told me he'd pass it on to his manager and to call them back in the morning to "see where we go from here". Which is quite promising really, it's better than a straight no.
So maybe i'll get somewhere (:
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Market Harborough, Leics.
I've spent half the day on the phone, mostly to Consumer Direct and Citizen's Advice. I haven't arranged for it to be taken to a mechanic yet, as i've been in touch with the garage.
That 6 months warranty thing refers to a 'Burden of Proof' that lies with the seller, it means they have to prove the car didn't have this problem at the time of the sale and that it was unforseeable. I explained the situation to the garage, they asked about the oil etc. which i assured them was fine. The guy on the phone told me he'd pass it on to his manager and to call them back in the morning to "see where we go from here". Which is quite promising really, it's better than a straight no.
So maybe i'll get somewhere (:
That 6 months warranty thing refers to a 'Burden of Proof' that lies with the seller, it means they have to prove the car didn't have this problem at the time of the sale and that it was unforseeable. I explained the situation to the garage, they asked about the oil etc. which i assured them was fine. The guy on the phone told me he'd pass it on to his manager and to call them back in the morning to "see where we go from here". Which is quite promising really, it's better than a straight no.
So maybe i'll get somewhere (:
They might have to prove that the car was fine at time of sale, but you'd have to prove that you hadn't let it run low on oil or that you haven't over revved it. Neither of those is easy for you to prove either.
The easiest option is going to be for you to start looking for a replacement engine.
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Well when the AA came out to me, they checked it all and confirmed that the oil and everything was fine. I was even assured it wasn't anything I've done, or could've done to prevent it.
I'm not going to pin my hopes on this, but if there's a chance it can be refunded or repaired then i'd be daft not to go for it. I can't afford to just go engine shopping, so if this didn't work out i'd have start by getting the engine looked at to find out what the problem is for sure.
If all else fails, i'll have to start playing the lottery more frequently...
I'm not going to pin my hopes on this, but if there's a chance it can be refunded or repaired then i'd be daft not to go for it. I can't afford to just go engine shopping, so if this didn't work out i'd have start by getting the engine looked at to find out what the problem is for sure.
If all else fails, i'll have to start playing the lottery more frequently...
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Hertford
Sorry to hear it.
If it were a bent valve, the lack of compression ought to give you a misfire CEL. You'd know if it were only running on three pots from the rhythm.
I should say either the piston rings are picking up, or a bearing has ran. Both are common issues in the car and probably due to oils starvation/aeration (typically a track day) in its former life.
Obviously, don't run it like that - it will let go. A repair (or a new engine) might be possible, but you have some patient negotiation to go through - firm but polite!
If it were a bent valve, the lack of compression ought to give you a misfire CEL. You'd know if it were only running on three pots from the rhythm.
I should say either the piston rings are picking up, or a bearing has ran. Both are common issues in the car and probably due to oils starvation/aeration (typically a track day) in its former life.
Obviously, don't run it like that - it will let go. A repair (or a new engine) might be possible, but you have some patient negotiation to go through - firm but polite!
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From: Chester
I'm with Mr. Graves on this one. Description sounds like it's been chewing on a big end bearing for a little while and has finally spun the bearing and is now banging it's t!ts off.
The usual suspects are:
1. Low oil level (doens't have to be low at the time of failure, could have been done prior to that and then taken time for the damage to become critical)
2. Old oil (can be enough oil in the engine but if its old, knackered and not lubricating any more)
3. Filter not replaced during service (if the filter isn't changed and blocks up they have a bypass channel to allow oil to get there - some is better than none - but would allow contaminated oil to get to the bearings)
4. Low oil pressure (breach in oil passageway/open relief valve in the pump or similar)
Probably too old an engine for it to be something like dirt/debris/swarf or similar from the build process
The usual suspects are:
1. Low oil level (doens't have to be low at the time of failure, could have been done prior to that and then taken time for the damage to become critical)
2. Old oil (can be enough oil in the engine but if its old, knackered and not lubricating any more)
3. Filter not replaced during service (if the filter isn't changed and blocks up they have a bypass channel to allow oil to get there - some is better than none - but would allow contaminated oil to get to the bearings)
4. Low oil pressure (breach in oil passageway/open relief valve in the pump or similar)
Probably too old an engine for it to be something like dirt/debris/swarf or similar from the build process
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From: Frustration
I'm with Mr. Graves on this one. Description sounds like it's been chewing on a big end bearing for a little while and has finally spun the bearing and is now banging it's t!ts off.
The usual suspects are:
1. Low oil level (doens't have to be low at the time of failure, could have been done prior to that and then taken time for the damage to become critical)
2. Old oil (can be enough oil in the engine but if its old, knackered and not lubricating any more)
3. Filter not replaced during service (if the filter isn't changed and blocks up they have a bypass channel to allow oil to get there - some is better than none - but would allow contaminated oil to get to the bearings)
4. Low oil pressure (breach in oil passageway/open relief valve in the pump or similar)
Probably too old an engine for it to be something like dirt/debris/swarf or similar from the build process
The usual suspects are:
1. Low oil level (doens't have to be low at the time of failure, could have been done prior to that and then taken time for the damage to become critical)
2. Old oil (can be enough oil in the engine but if its old, knackered and not lubricating any more)
3. Filter not replaced during service (if the filter isn't changed and blocks up they have a bypass channel to allow oil to get there - some is better than none - but would allow contaminated oil to get to the bearings)
4. Low oil pressure (breach in oil passageway/open relief valve in the pump or similar)
Probably too old an engine for it to be something like dirt/debris/swarf or similar from the build process
Here is a spun bearing on a D16 I did a few years ago:
Symptoms are identical.
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Hi folks, here's a quick update. It's been taken to a garage for an engineers report, at the seller's expense. I spoke to them and they told me it's knocked the crank out (or something like that). They asked me the usual, ran on low oil, over revved etc which it hasn't been. I'm calling again on Monday to find out the full problem, and how cooperative the seller's going to be out getting it fixed. But legally i do have a good chance. I'll let you know how I get on, thanks guys.
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 8,076
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From: Costa del Cornwall
Hi folks, here's a quick update. It's been taken to a garage for an engineers report, at the seller's expense. I spoke to them and they told me it's knocked the crank out (or something like that). They asked me the usual, ran on low oil, over revved etc which it hasn't been. I'm calling again on Monday to find out the full problem, and how cooperative the seller's going to be out getting it fixed. But legally i do have a good chance. I'll let you know how I get on, thanks guys.