Engine trouble - Opel Corsa 1.0l

DanielGibbons

Hi folks,

Looking for some advice.

My sister has a 2004 1l Corsa, which has a problem with the engine.

When the car is started from cold, there is no noise. I know Opels of this era tend to have rattle timing chains, thankfully this doesn't seem to be the case.

When the car is driven for a while, maybe a half hour or so, you begin to feel less power, and the engine is making a ticking noise.

Our mechanic has recently had a look, and he thinks one of the big end bearings is gone.
He says that when the car is hot it's not building up oils pressure.

So here's what I'm hoping you can help with...

1. Are these engines worth repairing, or should they be replaced?
2. Where could I get a replacement engine?
3. Should a different engine be fitted instead, like a 1.2, maybe they are stronger?

The car was serviced a couple of months ago, and passed the NCT.

Getting rid of the car isn't really an option at the moment - it's driving really well and is suited to what it's doing at the moment.

All advice appreciated!

Thanks all
Daniel

bazz26

If it is a big end bearing then you're probably talking a replacement engine and to be honest on a 13 year old Corsa I would not be putting that sort of money into it. I'd just drive it until it gives up and then cut my loses on it. Of course get it properly diagnosed first to confirm before doing anything but if it were me I wouldn't be spending any serious money on it.

DanielGibbons

bazz26 wrote: »

If it is a big end bearing then you're probably talking a replacement engine and to be honest on a 13 year old Corsa I would be putting that sort of money into it. I'd just drive it until it gives up and then cut my loses on it. Of course get it properly diagnosed first to confirm before doing anything but if it were me I wouldn't be spending any serious money on it.

Thanks for that.

I figured there'd be no point rebuilding it.

Yeah we're going to get him to drop the sump and check the oil pump first.

In the meantime, let's hope someone on here knows where there's an engine for sale

Jack the Stripper

A big end bearing won't cause a car to lose power when it's driven for a while.

CianRyan

My professional opinion would be to buy a new car.
May not be helpful but hey, I know cars and I'm honest.

bazz26

You could try Traynors up in the North, they are a big scrap dealer but again you're going to have to pay your mechanic to swap it out too. For what it might cost you to replace the engine including labour, you might nearly buy a working 04 Corsa for the same sort of money.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/corsa-1-0-for-sale/15024132

Jack the Stripper

CianRyan wrote: »

My professional opinion would be to buy a new car.
May not be helpful but hey, I know cars and I'm honest.

You don't know as much as you think, this is typical timing chain.

CianRyan

Jack the Stripper wrote: »

You don't know as much as you think, this is typical timing chain.

I'd say I know more than you think I know.
The engines and the cars they are in are not what you would call reliable or desirable. If it''s causing trouble now they'd be as wise to walk away from it and get something less terrible.

But hey, if you think spending €400-€600 on a timing chain (by the way, a timing chain would make an audible scraping noise from start up or simply wouldn't start at all if stretched beyond tolerance) on a €1000 car is a good idea then stick to your guns and pay it all day but please don't go advising others to do the same.

Sell the car, take that money and put it with the cash you were willing to spend swapping an engine and you'll buy something much better.

Jack the Stripper

Wrong on your timing chain analogy.

CianRyan

Jack the Stripper wrote: »

Wrong on your timing chain analogy.

Am I?
Go on then, genius

JohnBoy26

DanielGibbons wrote: »

Hi folks,

Looking for some advice.

My sister has a 2004 1l Corsa, which has a problem with the engine.

When the car is started from cold, there is no noise. I know Opels of this era tend to have rattle timing chains, thankfully this doesn't seem to be the case.

When the car is driven for a while, maybe a half hour or so, you begin to feel less power, and the engine is making a ticking noise.

Our mechanic has recently had a look, and he thinks one of the big end bearings is gone.
He says that when the car is hot it's not building up oils pressure.

So here's what I'm hoping you can help with...

1. Are these engines worth repairing, or should they be replaced?
2. Where could I get a replacement engine?
3. Should a different engine be fitted instead, like a 1.2, maybe they are stronger?

The car was serviced a couple of months ago, and passed the NCT.

Getting rid of the car isn't really an option at the moment - it's driving really well and is suited to what it's doing at the moment.

All advice appreciated!

Thanks all
Daniel

Not being smart but if there is serious engine trouble I would seriously consider replacing it as an option.

They are a poor car tbh and spending a lot of money on repairs might not be the best option.

nd

Is the ticking sound only at a specific rpm?

DanielGibbons

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Not being smart but if there is serious engine trouble I would seriously consider replacing it as an option.

They are a poor car tbh and spending a lot of money on repairs might not be the best option.

You could be right - asides from this, it's going well, so if it could be saved for sensible money I'd like to do that.

nd wrote: »

Is the ticking sound only at a specific rpm?

I'm not sure TBH. I think it's at any RPM once she's hot.

beauf

DanielGibbons wrote: »

...When the car is driven for a while, maybe a half hour or so, you begin to feel less power, and the engine is making a ticking noise...


...Getting rid of the car isn't really an option at the moment - it's driving really well and is suited to what it's doing at the moment....l

Would a bearing lose power I don't understand that. For me (and I'm not a mechanic) it sounds heat or pressure related. Head, cylinder, cooling. A pinhole in a hose somewhere.

The problem with buying a better a car, instead of paying 0~1000 fixing the car you already own. Is you know what the issues are with your own car, and buying a different car will be more expensive, and you may find unknown issues with it. Or you go down the route of bangeronmics. Thats kinda hard unless you are a car person and know what to avoid and what to buy.

There's a lot of bad cheap cars for sale. Bit of minefield.

DanielGibbons

Hi folks,

So we found an engine, and it has been fitted.

Car is running very well now.

"The devil you know" and all that craic...

Thanks all for your advice - if it were up to me I would have given it the road