So, I've ruined my engine...
Discussion
Just looking for some advice about what the problem could be... I've posted this on a MX5 forum as well (Nutz) but might get more of a response on here.
Basically, driving to work tonight my engine started making a loud rattling noise. It's only audible under any kind of throttle input, but it's very noticeable. Checking the oil, it's a little low but not below minimum (about a quarter between min and max), but probably still considered "low". I really should have kept more of an eye on it, I've never had a problem with it burning oil over the past 4 years but it seemed a little low last month so I topped it up and then just, well, didn't check it again I guess.
I've attached a link to a YouTube video which should give a better idea of the noise. Either way, I think "f
ked" is probably the most accurate description I can go with.
So, any ideas on what this could be? Ball park figure for a rebuild? Ebay engines seem to be around the £1-£1.5k mark...
YouTube link: http://youtu.be/cuNIXwMsQe4
ETA:
Some more details would probably help.
It's a 2006 (Mk3) MX5 1.8, just under 70k miles.
At the time, I'd let the engine warm up properly (as normal) and then used the full rev range in the first couple of gears. The noise first started happening either slightly before or slightly after I changed to 3rd gear. After that I just limped the mile to work (Not ideal, I know. But better than being stuck on a busy bypass with no hard shoulder or lighting...)
Basically, driving to work tonight my engine started making a loud rattling noise. It's only audible under any kind of throttle input, but it's very noticeable. Checking the oil, it's a little low but not below minimum (about a quarter between min and max), but probably still considered "low". I really should have kept more of an eye on it, I've never had a problem with it burning oil over the past 4 years but it seemed a little low last month so I topped it up and then just, well, didn't check it again I guess.
I've attached a link to a YouTube video which should give a better idea of the noise. Either way, I think "f
ked" is probably the most accurate description I can go with.So, any ideas on what this could be? Ball park figure for a rebuild? Ebay engines seem to be around the £1-£1.5k mark...
YouTube link: http://youtu.be/cuNIXwMsQe4
ETA:
Some more details would probably help.
It's a 2006 (Mk3) MX5 1.8, just under 70k miles.
At the time, I'd let the engine warm up properly (as normal) and then used the full rev range in the first couple of gears. The noise first started happening either slightly before or slightly after I changed to 3rd gear. After that I just limped the mile to work (Not ideal, I know. But better than being stuck on a busy bypass with no hard shoulder or lighting...)
Edited by mx5tom on Friday 28th June 23:36
Edited by mx5tom on Friday 28th June 23:37
N Dentressangle said:
Hard to tell from a YouTube vid, but that sounds like the big ends to me. It's been a long time since I heard the death knock though...
No idea on cost, I'm afraid.
Sounds big ends - but the video isn't that clear. Run it for a bit, see if it gets worse. If it does, bottom end rebuild or engine swap.No idea on cost, I'm afraid.
greggy50 said:
Bottom end has gone
Don't drive the car at all!
If get a decent bottom end can just get a new head gasket get your head checked over and bolt it back together may see change out of a grand if do the work yourself. Take it to a garage and this will be a £2k job I would say easily
2k? And the rest for a good job.Don't drive the car at all!
If get a decent bottom end can just get a new head gasket get your head checked over and bolt it back together may see change out of a grand if do the work yourself. Take it to a garage and this will be a £2k job I would say easily
Driving the car whilst it was like that was killing me, but the alternative was worse... I wont be driving it now. I have a lift home sorted and will get the AA to bring it home tomorrow...
There's an MX5 specialist local that I was planning on phoning to get the suspension alignment looked at... Looks like a slightly bigger job now.
I have no idea when it comes to rebuild costs etc, £2k is a bit of a shock! Replacement engines seem to be going for £1.5k with a few around the £1k mark... If I was planning on keeping the car longer than a few more months () I'd be considering putting something a bit more interesting in there... But now it seems as though I'll be paying £2k to get it to saleable condition
There's an MX5 specialist local that I was planning on phoning to get the suspension alignment looked at... Looks like a slightly bigger job now.
I have no idea when it comes to rebuild costs etc, £2k is a bit of a shock! Replacement engines seem to be going for £1.5k with a few around the £1k mark... If I was planning on keeping the car longer than a few more months (
) I'd be considering putting something a bit more interesting in there... But now it seems as though I'll be paying £2k to get it to saleable condition Although mk3's are known to burn oil I don't think that your knocking is due to oil starvation. If it has only got down to the 1/3.
I've read a few story's of mk3's having new engines due to owners letting them run too low. I donr know how low they were allowed to get? however I think there maybe another cause in your case.
No help I know but it's not the first time I've seen it. I hope you manage to sort it without to much ££
I've read a few story's of mk3's having new engines due to owners letting them run too low. I donr know how low they were allowed to get? however I think there maybe another cause in your case.
No help I know but it's not the first time I've seen it. I hope you manage to sort it without to much ££
Urban Sports said:
2k? And the rest for a good job.
I said easily...A decent back street garage will drop a new lump in for £4/500 though so if a new engine is £1 - £1.5k I think around £2k would be a sensible figure especially as the old engine will still have value as the head and ancillaries would still be good
Place down road quoted me £250 to fit a new engine to my GTI and they are actually decent chaps but did all the work myself in the end!
greggy50 said:
I said easily...
A decent back street garage will drop a new lump in for £4/500 though so if a new engine is £1 - £1.5k I think around £2k would be a sensible figure especially as the old engine will still have value as the head and ancillaries would still be good
Place down road quoted me £250 to fit a new engine to my GTI and they are actually decent chaps but did all the work myself in the end!
Good, sensible reply/post. A decent back street garage will drop a new lump in for £4/500 though so if a new engine is £1 - £1.5k I think around £2k would be a sensible figure especially as the old engine will still have value as the head and ancillaries would still be good
Place down road quoted me £250 to fit a new engine to my GTI and they are actually decent chaps but did all the work myself in the end!
I like.
OP this is what you need
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Mx5-MK3-1-8-16v-L8...
£850 then swap your ancillaries across
Allow £600 for a decent backstreet garage to fit it + swap bits across so circa £1450 and then you could probably get £100 back for your old engine for the head etc so around £1350 all in
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Mx5-MK3-1-8-16v-L8...
£850 then swap your ancillaries across
Allow £600 for a decent backstreet garage to fit it + swap bits across so circa £1450 and then you could probably get £100 back for your old engine for the head etc so around £1350 all in
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