Help needed - please read.
Discussion
Hi chaps,
I got a serious problem brewing here and would appreciate the collective benefit of your experience...
Has anyone out there ever heard of a modern alfa (eg : a 2001 Spider in very good condition), just loosing all of it's oil?
All comments, negative or positve appreciated.
Thanks,
Joel K.
If you want to know why I ask read on, if not, your experience and comments are still appreciated...
In summary, I bought a car with / for my partner 4 weeks ago, checked it over, FMDSH, engine in top condition, low miles, always garaged, etc. Check the oil, both the condition of it and the level. All perfect. Bought it. Then 2 weeks later, partner manages to let the car roll down a small hill while parked, it whacks 2 cars and damages the front sides. Only visible damage is paint work on sides - and damages other 2 cars, she swaps insurance details, etc, accepts that shxxt happens, thinks nothing more of it.
2 days after, car develops a "knocking sound", like a loud like a repetitive "clonking", as if somthing is knocking against the fly wheel. Knocks slowly when idling and faster when reved. I check underneath the car, no sign of the problem, but identify it coming from somewhere near the cam belt.
The insurance company come round to sort the car - and say the engine knackered because it doesn't have any oil in it - and has seized !!! - Which according to their inspector has NOTHING to do with the crash!?
So according to our insurance company (Adrian Flux / Royal Sun Alliance) we're now looking at the prospect of footing a bill for a replacment engine - circa £3,000!!!
Our next step is taking to the dealership where it has prevously been serviced to see if they can identify the problem.
I just wanted to know if anyone else out there has had anything similar happen to them, ie, it's a regular fault with Alfas - OR - this is actually very irregular, and most likely caused by the crash.
Like I said, your advice and experience (positive or negative) is very much appreciated !!!
Thanks,
Joel
I got a serious problem brewing here and would appreciate the collective benefit of your experience...
Has anyone out there ever heard of a modern alfa (eg : a 2001 Spider in very good condition), just loosing all of it's oil?
All comments, negative or positve appreciated.
Thanks,
Joel K.
If you want to know why I ask read on, if not, your experience and comments are still appreciated...
In summary, I bought a car with / for my partner 4 weeks ago, checked it over, FMDSH, engine in top condition, low miles, always garaged, etc. Check the oil, both the condition of it and the level. All perfect. Bought it. Then 2 weeks later, partner manages to let the car roll down a small hill while parked, it whacks 2 cars and damages the front sides. Only visible damage is paint work on sides - and damages other 2 cars, she swaps insurance details, etc, accepts that shxxt happens, thinks nothing more of it.
2 days after, car develops a "knocking sound", like a loud like a repetitive "clonking", as if somthing is knocking against the fly wheel. Knocks slowly when idling and faster when reved. I check underneath the car, no sign of the problem, but identify it coming from somewhere near the cam belt.
The insurance company come round to sort the car - and say the engine knackered because it doesn't have any oil in it - and has seized !!! - Which according to their inspector has NOTHING to do with the crash!?
So according to our insurance company (Adrian Flux / Royal Sun Alliance) we're now looking at the prospect of footing a bill for a replacment engine - circa £3,000!!!
Our next step is taking to the dealership where it has prevously been serviced to see if they can identify the problem.
I just wanted to know if anyone else out there has had anything similar happen to them, ie, it's a regular fault with Alfas - OR - this is actually very irregular, and most likely caused by the crash.
Like I said, your advice and experience (positive or negative) is very much appreciated !!!
Thanks,
Joel
Great thoughts guys. Very helpful. Please keep em coming.
In answer to some of your questions :
1. The three year warrantee ran out about 8 months ago.
2. The oil was checked 2 weeks prior to the accident. It had only done approx 200 miles (max) since it was checked.
3. Main damage was done to the left and right front corners (predominatly the right corner). If the oil heater and pipes are there, it could well have taken a damaging knock. That's a great lead - I'll investigate that one. EDITED TO ADD : Just checked it with an Alfa mechanic. He thinks that the Oil cooler is there on the GTV, but not the Spider.
Any other thoughts & comments most welcome.
Many thanks,
Joel.
>> Edited by joelk on Friday 29th July 11:16
>> Edited by joelk on Friday 29th July 11:16
In answer to some of your questions :
1. The three year warrantee ran out about 8 months ago.
2. The oil was checked 2 weeks prior to the accident. It had only done approx 200 miles (max) since it was checked.
3. Main damage was done to the left and right front corners (predominatly the right corner). If the oil heater and pipes are there, it could well have taken a damaging knock. That's a great lead - I'll investigate that one. EDITED TO ADD : Just checked it with an Alfa mechanic. He thinks that the Oil cooler is there on the GTV, but not the Spider.
Any other thoughts & comments most welcome.
Many thanks,
Joel.
>> Edited by joelk on Friday 29th July 11:16
>> Edited by joelk on Friday 29th July 11:16
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