Major oil leak - '02 Ka 1.3

[caiss4]

I'm looking to buy a Ka for my daughter who'll be starting driving lessons shortly. A friend in the trade had a tidy little '02 model, 2 owners, 38k miles traded in and has offered it to me at a good price.

Whilst checking it out I noticed that there was a fair amount of oil around the rocker box plus the front o/s wishbone was covered in a film of engine oil that was running back down the underside.

The friend is going to check it out but is the 1.3 engine known for blowing oil from any where or is it just a shot rocker gasket or similar? I'd welcome any pointers.

The friend has said that if it's anything other than a simple gasket problem then he wouldn't recommend i buy it.

[neiljohnson]

Known for blowing rocker box gaskets as they are an old cork design that dates back decades could also be a power steering leak as this is quite common on ka's. It could be as simple as replaceing a clip on a pipe to the rack itself.

Hth Neil

[caiss4]

neiljohnson said:

Known for blowing rocker box gaskets as they are an old cork design that dates back decades could also be a power steering leak as this is quite common on ka's. It could be as simple as replaceing a clip on a pipe to the rack itself.

Hth Neil

Thanks. My take was it was definitely engine oil; I've recently experienced power steering fluid courtesy of my Alfa!

I'll see what the friend has to say. I trust it's not a major job to replace the rocker gasket.

[neiljohnson]

caiss4 said:

neiljohnson said:

Known for blowing rocker box gaskets as they are an old cork design that dates back decades could also be a power steering leak as this is quite common on ka's. It could be as simple as replaceing a clip on a pipe to the rack itself.

Hth Neil

Thanks. My take was it was definitely engine oil; I've recently experienced power steering fluid courtesy of my Alfa!

I'll see what the friend has to say. I trust it's not a major job to replace the rocker gasket.

If you own am alfa the ka will be childs play rocker cover gasket is a 10 min job although while your there i would replace the oil cap as it acts as a breather filter and if blocked will blow the gasket again

[caiss4]

neiljohnson said:

If you own am alfa the ka will be childs play rocker cover gasket is a 10 min job although while your there i would replace the oil cap as it acts as a breather filter and if blocked will blow the gasket again

You're not suggesting that Alfa's are unreliable are you . And there was me thinking Ford stands for Fix Or Repair Daily

Anyway the problem apparently is a leaking sump plug so should be easy to fix providing the threads haven't been stripped.

[neiljohnson]

caiss4 said:

neiljohnson said:

If you own an alfa the ka will be childs play rocker cover gasket is a 10 min job although while your there i would replace the oil cap as it acts as a breather filter and if blocked will blow the gasket again

You're not suggesting that Alfa's are unreliable are you . And there was me thinking Ford stands for Fix Or Repair Daily

Anyway the problem apparently is a leaking sump plug so should be easy to fix providing the threads haven't been stripped.

Nice easy one then & no not suggesting Alfa's are so much unreliable just to work on

[caiss4]

neiljohnson said:

caiss4 said:

neiljohnson said:

If you own an alfa the ka will be childs play rocker cover gasket is a 10 min job although while your there i would replace the oil cap as it acts as a breather filter and if blocked will blow the gasket again

You're not suggesting that Alfa's are unreliable are you . And there was me thinking Ford stands for Fix Or Repair Daily

Anyway the problem apparently is a leaking sump plug so should be easy to fix providing the threads haven't been stripped.

Nice easy one then & no not suggesting Alfa's are so much unreliable just to work on

Can't disagree with you there as my knuckles prove after changing a couple of p/s pipes recently. Cheers

[caiss4]

Deal done, sump plug resealed, 12 months MOT - £1650 and 3 months VED! I've got to fix the rocker cover gasket. A reasonable deal ...I think. Now I've just got to save for the insurance