Next steps engine failure
Discussion
Looking for some advice/thoughts - thank you.
Bought an ex demo MG3 20 plate end of August 2023 and it's last service was then, at 996 miles.
I have not had a service since (was actually booking one in this week but little too late). Car has now done 14,800 miles.
The oil indicator came in a few days ago.
Yesterday whilst driving to work the engine started smoking, something felt like it dropped (lots of noise) and it came to a stop.
All recovered etc. back to the MG dealership I bought from locally.
The local MG garage called this morning to say the engine has packed up and the Conrod had come out of the side of the engine, he said it was in his hand when he was speaking to me.
I asked what has gone wrong considering age of car and mileage.
He said they are not sure what has happened but the issue is that MG won't fix it under warranty as there is no further service history since August 2023 (which is correct).
So now I wait for prices to come in for replacing 🤢
Firstly I own the fact I am overdue a service and am stupid for not getting it done sooner but I am concerned that this is a 4 year old car with only 14k miles driven and the engine has failed.
In addition, at the end of December I went into the back of a 4x4 tow hook when the driver suddenly hesitated when pulling out at a a roundabout. I had the work done by another garage miles away through insurance early January and number plate was smashed so that and the bumper had to be replaced. Not sure if that has made an impact to this issue but nothing was reported by that garage at the time of anything else being wrong.
Do you think I should ask the MG garage for evidence to prove what the cause of engine failure is to try and get it fixed under warranty? I am not a mechanic and don't know much about cars or does the fact I had no service therefore not maintained mean there is no point.
Would it be worth getting it recovered to another independent garage locally for another look?
Or am I just royally screwed for not doing such a basic thing - getting it serviced - hard a d very expensive lesson learned.
Any advice would be very much appreciated - thank you.
Bought an ex demo MG3 20 plate end of August 2023 and it's last service was then, at 996 miles.
I have not had a service since (was actually booking one in this week but little too late). Car has now done 14,800 miles.
The oil indicator came in a few days ago.
Yesterday whilst driving to work the engine started smoking, something felt like it dropped (lots of noise) and it came to a stop.
All recovered etc. back to the MG dealership I bought from locally.
The local MG garage called this morning to say the engine has packed up and the Conrod had come out of the side of the engine, he said it was in his hand when he was speaking to me.
I asked what has gone wrong considering age of car and mileage.
He said they are not sure what has happened but the issue is that MG won't fix it under warranty as there is no further service history since August 2023 (which is correct).
So now I wait for prices to come in for replacing 🤢
Firstly I own the fact I am overdue a service and am stupid for not getting it done sooner but I am concerned that this is a 4 year old car with only 14k miles driven and the engine has failed.
In addition, at the end of December I went into the back of a 4x4 tow hook when the driver suddenly hesitated when pulling out at a a roundabout. I had the work done by another garage miles away through insurance early January and number plate was smashed so that and the bumper had to be replaced. Not sure if that has made an impact to this issue but nothing was reported by that garage at the time of anything else being wrong.
Do you think I should ask the MG garage for evidence to prove what the cause of engine failure is to try and get it fixed under warranty? I am not a mechanic and don't know much about cars or does the fact I had no service therefore not maintained mean there is no point.
Would it be worth getting it recovered to another independent garage locally for another look?
Or am I just royally screwed for not doing such a basic thing - getting it serviced - hard a d very expensive lesson learned.
Any advice would be very much appreciated - thank you.
Oaki3 said:
The oil indicator came in a few days ago.
Yesterday whilst driving to work the engine started smoking, something felt like it dropped (lots of noise) and it came to a stop.
I am overdue a service and am stupid for not getting it done sooner but I am concerned that this is a 4 year old car with only 14k miles driven and the engine has failed.
You drove it for DAYS with the oil indicator light on?Yesterday whilst driving to work the engine started smoking, something felt like it dropped (lots of noise) and it came to a stop.
I am overdue a service and am stupid for not getting it done sooner but I am concerned that this is a 4 year old car with only 14k miles driven and the engine has failed.
Sorry, but zero sympathy from me here.
Oaki3 said:
The oil indicator came in a few days ago.
This is most likely what has caused the failure. Even a full service history won't provide for a warranty claim if this is found to be the cause.Did you tell the investigating garage that you've been driving with the oil light on for several days?
A relatively new low mileage car shouldn’t run out of oil but it’s going to be difficult to prove the oil was excessively low prior to your ownership. Did the dealer stamp the service book and how many miles had the car done since? It is possible the servicing mechanic did not refill to the correct level but must have put some oil in otherwise the oil light would have been on immediately.
It’s also possible the former owner ran it dry and was advised to get rid because the piston rings would be excessively worn. That could cause an engine to use a lot of oil in a short space of time.
Either way I think it’s going to rely on a goodwill gesture from MG to resolve (partly) in your favour.
It’s also possible the former owner ran it dry and was advised to get rid because the piston rings would be excessively worn. That could cause an engine to use a lot of oil in a short space of time.
Either way I think it’s going to rely on a goodwill gesture from MG to resolve (partly) in your favour.
Simon_GH said:
A relatively new low mileage car shouldn’t run out of oil but it’s going to be difficult to prove the oil was excessively low prior to your ownership. Did the dealer stamp the service book and how many miles had the car done since? It is possible the servicing mechanic did not refill to the correct level but must have put some oil in otherwise the oil light would have been on immediately.
It’s also possible the former owner ran it dry and was advised to get rid because the piston rings would be excessively worn. That could cause an engine to use a lot of oil in a short space of time.
Either way I think it’s going to rely on a goodwill gesture from MG to resolve (partly) in your favour.
The OP said it has covered nearly 14k miles, since last service. But really its the oil light on and still driving that's the cause. Probably logged in the ecu as well I guess. No warranty is going to cover that.It’s also possible the former owner ran it dry and was advised to get rid because the piston rings would be excessively worn. That could cause an engine to use a lot of oil in a short space of time.
Either way I think it’s going to rely on a goodwill gesture from MG to resolve (partly) in your favour.
Continuing to drive on, with the oil light on, is the fatal error here.
You could try MG for a warranty claim or goodwill gesture but I have a funny feeling they're going to say no. Also, there are a LOT of warranty claims on MG, I suspect they have an active department minimising payouts.
But moving on.......best bet would be to try find a secondhand engine from eBay (or maybe a recon from Amazon, Temu or Ali Express) and a home mechanic, mobile mechanic or back street garage who are happy to take the job on "cash in hand, no comebacks" basis for a cheap price to swap it.
You could try MG for a warranty claim or goodwill gesture but I have a funny feeling they're going to say no. Also, there are a LOT of warranty claims on MG, I suspect they have an active department minimising payouts.
But moving on.......best bet would be to try find a secondhand engine from eBay (or maybe a recon from Amazon, Temu or Ali Express) and a home mechanic, mobile mechanic or back street garage who are happy to take the job on "cash in hand, no comebacks" basis for a cheap price to swap it.
Oaki3 said:
Looking for some advice/thoughts - thank you.
Bought an ex demo MG3 20 plate end of August 2023 and it's last service was then, at 996 miles.
I have not had a service since (was actually booking one in this week but little too late). Car has now done 14,800 miles.
The oil indicator came in a few days ago.
Yesterday whilst driving to work the engine started smoking, something felt like it dropped (lots of noise) and it came to a stop.
All recovered etc. back to the MG dealership I bought from locally.
The local MG garage called this morning to say the engine has packed up and the Conrod had come out of the side of the engine, he said it was in his hand when he was speaking to me.
I asked what has gone wrong considering age of car and mileage.
He said they are not sure what has happened but the issue is that MG won't fix it under warranty as there is no further service history since August 2023 (which is correct).
So now I wait for prices to come in for replacing ??
Firstly I own the fact I am overdue a service and am stupid for not getting it done sooner but I am concerned that this is a 4 year old car with only 14k miles driven and the engine has failed.
In addition, at the end of December I went into the back of a 4x4 tow hook when the driver suddenly hesitated when pulling out at a a roundabout. I had the work done by another garage miles away through insurance early January and number plate was smashed so that and the bumper had to be replaced. Not sure if that has made an impact to this issue but nothing was reported by that garage at the time of anything else being wrong.
Do you think I should ask the MG garage for evidence to prove what the cause of engine failure is to try and get it fixed under warranty? I am not a mechanic and don't know much about cars or does the fact I had no service therefore not maintained mean there is no point.
Would it be worth getting it recovered to another independent garage locally for another look?
Or am I just royally screwed for not doing such a basic thing - getting it serviced - hard a d very expensive lesson learned.
Any advice would be very much appreciated - thank you.
Quoted for posterity.Bought an ex demo MG3 20 plate end of August 2023 and it's last service was then, at 996 miles.
I have not had a service since (was actually booking one in this week but little too late). Car has now done 14,800 miles.
The oil indicator came in a few days ago.
Yesterday whilst driving to work the engine started smoking, something felt like it dropped (lots of noise) and it came to a stop.
All recovered etc. back to the MG dealership I bought from locally.
The local MG garage called this morning to say the engine has packed up and the Conrod had come out of the side of the engine, he said it was in his hand when he was speaking to me.
I asked what has gone wrong considering age of car and mileage.
He said they are not sure what has happened but the issue is that MG won't fix it under warranty as there is no further service history since August 2023 (which is correct).
So now I wait for prices to come in for replacing ??
Firstly I own the fact I am overdue a service and am stupid for not getting it done sooner but I am concerned that this is a 4 year old car with only 14k miles driven and the engine has failed.
In addition, at the end of December I went into the back of a 4x4 tow hook when the driver suddenly hesitated when pulling out at a a roundabout. I had the work done by another garage miles away through insurance early January and number plate was smashed so that and the bumper had to be replaced. Not sure if that has made an impact to this issue but nothing was reported by that garage at the time of anything else being wrong.
Do you think I should ask the MG garage for evidence to prove what the cause of engine failure is to try and get it fixed under warranty? I am not a mechanic and don't know much about cars or does the fact I had no service therefore not maintained mean there is no point.
Would it be worth getting it recovered to another independent garage locally for another look?
Or am I just royally screwed for not doing such a basic thing - getting it serviced - hard a d very expensive lesson learned.
Any advice would be very much appreciated - thank you.
It was overdue a service and you continued to drive with an oil warning light on, this one is entirely on you. Oil is to an engine what blood is to human, as soon as an oil light comes on, turn the engine off... immediately...
Oil probably not even dipped in that mileage also 
see this kind of thing all the time nowadays, not my car so no sympathy for owners like this the only time they show any kind of interest in their machine is when it fails or puts them out 
got worse in the last 20 years IME on average people dont deserve motor vehicles anymore 
see this kind of thing all the time nowadays, not my car so no sympathy for owners like this the only time they show any kind of interest in their machine is when it fails or puts them out got worse in the last 20 years IME on average people dont deserve motor vehicles anymore Picking up on some of the details in the OP.....
Oaki3 said:
In addition, at the end of December I went into the back of a 4x4 tow hook when the driver suddenly hesitated when pulling out at a a roundabout.
It could be the root cause - the car might have an oil cooler, and it or its pipes cracked and had a slow leak.Oaki3 said:
Would it be worth getting it recovered to another independent garage locally for another look?
No, a hole in the side of the engine and parts having escaped from the hole, is quite a reliable diagnosis that you'll need a new engine.paul_c123 said:
Oaki3 said:
Would it be worth getting it recovered to another independent garage locally for another look?
No, a hole in the side of the engine and parts having escaped from the hole, is quite a reliable diagnosis that you'll need a new engine.Sardonicus said:
Oil probably not even dipped in that mileage also see this kind of thing all the time nowadays, not my car so no sympathy for owners like this the only time they show any kind of interest in their machine is when it fails or puts them out got worse in the last 20 years IME on average people dont deserve motor vehicles anymore
I'm with you Simon, I find most drivers don't even know on which side of their car the bonnet-pull is located. see this kind of thing all the time nowadays, not my car so no sympathy for owners like this the only time they show any kind of interest in their machine is when it fails or puts them out got worse in the last 20 years IME on average people dont deserve motor vehicles anymore So OP, how often do you physically check your engine oil level? I'll wager that your handbook (any car's handbook) tells you to check the oil monthly as a minimum, if not weekly.
But to carry on regardless of an oil warning light takes some doing, these are not low oil level warnings, these are low (or zero) oil pressure warnings.
Edited to add a pic from the MG3 owners quick guide, readily found online...
So it's weekly.
Edited by TwinKam on Friday 7th February 12:34
TwinKam said:
Sardonicus said:
Oil probably not even dipped in that mileage also see this kind of thing all the time nowadays, not my car so no sympathy for owners like this the only time they show any kind of interest in their machine is when it fails or puts them out got worse in the last 20 years IME on average people dont deserve motor vehicles anymore
I'm with you Simon, I find most drivers don't even know on which side of their car the bonnet-pull is located. see this kind of thing all the time nowadays, not my car so no sympathy for owners like this the only time they show any kind of interest in their machine is when it fails or puts them out got worse in the last 20 years IME on average people dont deserve motor vehicles anymore So OP, how often do you physically check your engine oil level? I'll wager that your handbook (any car's handbook) tells you to check the oil monthly as a minimum, if not weekly.
But to carry on regardless of an oil warning light takes some doing, these are not low oil level warnings, these are low (or zero) oil pressure warnings.
People should read the instructions about oil level checking.
Almost everyone (who can be arsed) checks the oil level cold, and whilst this applies to the car in question it is not the recommended method with all vehicles, some require a warm engine to be switched off for 5 minutes and then the oil dipped.
Assuming the failure is due to low oil level, and not loss of oil pressure for some other reason, i'm surprised the vehicle doesn't have a low oil level warning light on the dash, or was the warning light for low oil level rather than low pressure?
Low oil pressure warnings can come on as low as 8 psi, by the time the pressure gets that low serious engine damage is almost certain, all engines should have oil pressure gauges fitted as standard.
Its a hard and expensive lesson for the OP, i'll be amazed if the maker helps out, hopefully someone will be able to find a used engines from a write off, but the chances of a used engine having only covered such low miles are slim indeed.
Almost everyone (who can be arsed) checks the oil level cold, and whilst this applies to the car in question it is not the recommended method with all vehicles, some require a warm engine to be switched off for 5 minutes and then the oil dipped.
Assuming the failure is due to low oil level, and not loss of oil pressure for some other reason, i'm surprised the vehicle doesn't have a low oil level warning light on the dash, or was the warning light for low oil level rather than low pressure?
Low oil pressure warnings can come on as low as 8 psi, by the time the pressure gets that low serious engine damage is almost certain, all engines should have oil pressure gauges fitted as standard.
Its a hard and expensive lesson for the OP, i'll be amazed if the maker helps out, hopefully someone will be able to find a used engines from a write off, but the chances of a used engine having only covered such low miles are slim indeed.
Oaki3 said:
Thanks for responding- not looking for any sympathy and don't know much about cars. So oil was the issue then.
you had a warning light on the dash and ignored it ? That will not be helpful.Of course it does depend on exactly what that light was and/or said. Or even what colour.
Perhaps total failure could have been avoided, although something else may be amiss.
Would servicing have fixed or prevented it ? That's a very grey area
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