couple of issues with my 156 2.0 Tspark

[magpie215]

Engine low pressure oil light = engine ruined light in my experience....sorry

[deadtom]

robsco said:

bearing in mind that any engine on the planet will be seriously damaged being ran without sufficient lubrication.

granted, I guess I shouldnt have taken the guy at his word that it had plenty of oil in it (I did make a point of asking). I guess my experience is not as extensive as most as I have only been driving for 6 years, but I always figured that the low oil light was intended to come on before damage occured, not after.

[robsco]

You are more experienced than me. But, from experience in the motor trade, if the oil light comes on, its too late. The heavy knocking noises would suggest to me that you're engine is knackered, unfortunately. Hopefully this isn't the case, but I think you need to brace for the worst.

[deadtom]

perhaps ive just been lucky then. Ive had the oil light come on a couple of times while driving other cars, and so long as the oil was then topped up as soon as possible, it didnt cause any problems.

i know of a few other people who have had the same, but maybe those engines were hardier than the T-spark

[kev b]

If the cambelt has snapped in the past then the big end shells ought to have been changed when the head was rebuilt. On these engines the piston mashing into the valves damages the bearings and results in big end knock/failure,also causing low oil pressure. These cars are lovely to drive but have so many issues they are not,in my opinion worth the risk.
PS, if anyone needs a set of camshaft locking tools I have some I will never use again.

[Geoffcapes]

How much do you want for them?

[kev b]

I am looking for £25 if anyone is interested.

[deadtom]

friendly local mechanic reckons the variator is alright, but the oil pump is shafted.

apparently its quite a job to replace the oil pump due to having to take the engine to pieces, so he said i should consider just replacing the engine with a low miles/re con unit.

what would PH do?

[craggers]

deadtom said:

friendly local mechanic reckons the variator is alright, but the oil pump is shafted.

apparently its quite a job to replace the oil pump due to having to take the engine to pieces, so he said i should consider just replacing the engine with a low miles/re con unit.

what would PH do?

What your car worth ? it all depend. If new engine job cost more than car value - forget it.

[deadtom]

its a 2002 sportwagon lusso (with the red leather interior that everyone loves) in good condition and lowish miles. i paid 900 for mine, but I think they tend to go for around 1500 usually.

a quick browse of ebay suggests a replacement engine can be sourced for between 250 and 400 notes, so if it costs 600 or so to get a new engine dropped in, ive still effectively paid a fair price for the car?

[Geoffcapes]

If the rest of the car was in good nick, I'd be tempted to go for a new (recon) engine.

[deadtom]

yeah thats what I'm thinking, but its always a gamble because a new engine could have all kinds of problems of its own