Engine Failure

wolfyboy555

Hi guys. Had a terrible paddy's weekend. Driving home yesterday on motorway when car broke down. The oil light came on and then the engine went bust. Luckily I have breakdown cover and was able to get towed home. I know SFA about cars so after googling I am guessing the engine is a complete write off?

It is a 04 1.4 opel astra with 67,000 miles. It was in great condition before this (apart from a wiring issue that stopped petrol getting through - so the mechanic said). I was planning on selling it over the summer but am dreading what the mechanic will say tomorrow.

Just looking for some advice on the best course of action. The car was bought for 3,500 2yrs ago. From what I have read replacing an engine can be quite expensive. In thinking of the worst case scenario of cutting my losses here what can I do with the car if i decide not to replace the engine? Sell it for parts? Sell the whole thing for scrap? what do you think I could get for it with the condition it is in at the moment?

Kenny Logins

What makes you think it's wrecked?

wolfyboy555

Kenny Logins wrote: »

What makes you think it's wrecked?

Well it sounded like something fell off within it as I was driving. It cut off and I had to coast onto hard shoulder. There was also a bit of smoke and good bit of oil. It also sounds awful when i tried to restart it. Really not holding out much hope.

Alanstrainor

Not DIY, moved.

sumo12

I assume it's been regularly serviced?? If so.... one thing to check.
Ask him to check if camshaft has broken. It was fairly common in 04. Whip off rocker cover and have a look. Not sure whether Opel still give any assistance on this concern as it was not a recall, but might be no harm checking with them if the camshaft has broken. The camshaft break shoud be just around the area of the oil filler cap.

wolfyboy555

wolfyboy555 wrote: »

........... The car was bought for 3,500 2yrs ago........................................ In thinking of the worst case scenario of cutting my losses here what can I do with the car if i decide not to replace the engine? Sell it for parts? Sell the whole thing for scrap? what do you think I could get for it with the condition it is in at the moment?

If it needs an engine you should get north of €650 for it as is on donedeal.ie as is.

If that's the case, €3000 depreciation over two years isn't too bad.

mickdw

RoverJames wrote: »

If it needs an engine you should get north of €650 for it as is on donedeal.ie as is.

If that's the case, €3000 depreciation over two years isn't too bad.

Not bad but if you werent planning on spending anything on the car in the immediate future, forking out for an engine plus labour is not too nice.

wolfyboy555

Just off the phone with folks who brought it to mechanic as I'm at work. He said that a piston had fired through the engine so it needs a new one. He sourced one for 300quid so would be that plus labour (so I'm guessing 600-700?) to get it done and full service afterwards. I am leaning towards doing this as it would save a lot of hassle in the short term. What you guys think?

The Pontiac

wolfyboy555 wrote: »

Just off the phone with folks who brought it to mechanic as I'm at work. He said that a piston had fired through the engine so it needs a new one. He sourced one for 300quid so would be that plus labour (so I'm guessing 600-700?) to get it done and full service afterwards. I am leaning towards doing this as it would save a lot of hassle in the short term. What you guys think?

Get the engine fitted, no question about it.

Hopefully he sourced you a good engine (that's the risky bit). Best of luck.

wolfyboy555

The Pontiac wrote: »

Get the engine fitted, no question about it.

Hopefully he sourced you a good engine (that's the risky bit). Best of luck.

Told him to go ahead with it. It is an 03 Opel Astra engine with 87,000 miles (mine had 67,000). He said he will change the timing belt and give it full service also and the quote was in and around 400-450 for labour then 300 for engine.

analfabets

wolfyboy555 wrote: »

Told him to go ahead with it. It is an 03 Opel Astra engine with 87,000 miles (mine had 67,000). He said he will change the timing belt and give it full service also and the quote was in and around 400-450 for labour then 300 for engine.

Isn't that a chain driven engine?

Flyer1

wolfyboy555 wrote: »

Told him to go ahead with it. It is an 03 Opel Astra engine with 87,000 miles (mine had 67,000). He said he will change the timing belt and give it full service also and the quote was in and around 400-450 for labour then 300 for engine.

Thats a pretty good deal he's cutting you.

Would be nice to know why the old engine went tho.

wolfyboy555

analfabets wrote: »

Isn't that a chain driven engine?

I don't know what this means!

Flyer1 wrote: »

Thats a pretty good deal he's cutting you.

Would be nice to know why the old engine went tho.

Yeah he has been the family mechanic for years so that's why maybe! Wasn't speaking to him directly but my dad who was with him with it said that he said the piston had fired off through the engine. When he put oil in it it came straight out through a hole.

JohnBoy26

analfabets wrote: »

Isn't that a chain driven engine?

it most probably is an older shape Astra which had a timing belt.

SCOOP 64

analfabets wrote: »

Isn't that a chain driven engine?

no, most are belt driven, my is , Astra G 1.4 16v,
Good price €750 too supply and fit engine, considering main dealer will want €300 for just for a cambelt change.

wolfyboy555

Was abroad the last few days so the folks picked up the car for me. New engine, timing belt, oil change and two new tyres for €550 which is great considering the amount of work that must have went in.

MidlandsM

wolfyboy555 wrote: »

Was abroad the last few days so the folks picked up the car for me. New engine, timing belt, oil change and two new tyres for €550 which is great considering the amount of work that must have went in.

sounds like a daycent mechanic to keep.........happy motoring to you.

Jimdagym

sumo12 wrote: »

I assume it's been regularly serviced?? If so.... one thing to check.
Ask him to check if camshaft has broken. It was fairly common in 04. Whip off rocker cover and have a look. Not sure whether Opel still give any assistance on this concern as it was not a recall, but might be no harm checking with them if the camshaft has broken. The camshaft break shoud be just around the area of the oil filler cap.

Only reading this now, I know its a few days old, BUT........

Do you really think a properly trained mechanic would need assistance figuring out if a camshaft has broken? What type of mechanic do you use? :eek:

pred racer

sumo12 wrote: »

I assume it's been regularly serviced?? If so.... one thing to check.
Ask him to check if camshaft has broken. It was fairly common in 04. Whip off rocker cover and have a look. Not sure whether Opel still give any assistance on this concern as it was not a recall, if the camshaft has broken it might be no harm checking with them. The camshaft break shoud be just around the area of the oil filler cap.

Jimdagym wrote: »

Only reading this now, I know its a few days old, BUT........

Do you really think a properly trained mechanic would need assistance figuring out if a camshaft has broken? What type of mechanic do you use? :eek:

It makes more sense if you read the original sentence the other way round, (like in bold above)

wolfyboy555

Had a bit of a problem with it as it seemed to be labouring when driving. The oil light kept coming on and flashing on off. The emissions lights also came on. Anyways dropped it back and he changed the oil switch and plugs and it felt much healthier. Fingers crossed it will remain so.

One more question. Seeing as it is another engine, do I have to change the mileage on my car?

Harcrid

No, the mileage stays the same.