ST220 Problems - Help Needed

[stugolf]

Hi guys, a friend of mine is having a problem with his Mondeo ST220, basically its started ticking from tickover, this gets louder as the car gets warmer, when you rev the car the ticking and slight what sounds like knocking continues until around 3000rpm where it stops. After this raised alarm bells we checked the oil level. He'd not checked the oil for a while and when we did it was very dry, it took almost 5 litres to get the dipstick to register a reasonable level. After we put the oil in the car obviously still ticks and has the same behaviour as before. I'm no expert with the 3.0L Duratec engine as I'm into VW's but can someone give me a heads up on possible internal damage this has caused?

Thanks for any help

Edited by stugolf on Wednesday 19th January 09:34

Edited by stugolf on Wednesday 19th January 16:08

[Podie]

I seem to recall the V6 only takes 6 litres... so to need 5 litres is NOT a good sign.

Like any engine run without oil, it isn't going to be pretty.

[stugolf]

I suspected that, I believe the engine takes 5.7litres

[anonymous-user]

Oh fking dear!! Seriously? Was the oil light not on?! I would guess the crank/bearings will be fked if it has really gone that low.

[stugolf]

No, the oil pressure buzzer hadn't sounded, do these cars have an oil low warning?

[anonymous-user]

Is this thread a wind up? Seriously, your friend has run an engine bone dry, it's probably fked, in a BIG way. These engines can spin a crank bearing if the oil is low, never mind non existant.

[stugolf]

No wind up I'm afraid Dave, Thanks for all the info

[Podie]

The V6 likes fresh oil too. A lot of people change it every 3000 miles to avoid issues.

The ticking would most likely be knackered cams or followers. A big end tends to make a LOT of noise.

[anonymous-user]

What tends to happen is the crank spins a bearing, the tapping you hear is pistons kissing vales. Either way your mate is looking at a big fat bill & to be frank deserves a slap in the face, how anyone could let a car get that low on oil is beyond me. An expensive lesson me thinks.

[stugolf]

On the back of this, can anyone recommend a good rebuilders in the North West UK? Or a good place to source a second hand engine?

[Kidders]

5 litres to top up? At best, the big ends will have been starved of oil, as well as the top end. Lucky its still running at all but lasting damage will have been caused and that engine will need a full rebuild..