HELP. Corsa 1.0 ltr engine failure. Advice needed

HELP. Corsa 1.0 ltr engine failure. Advice needed

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Harry Crotch

Original Poster:

745 posts

176 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
quotequote all
Hi guys, I've never needed to post about my Corsa as she has always just been a run about (I hope I am in the right forum mods?)

Anyway. she is a 2004 1ltr energy. My nan bought her new and covered a whoping 7k in 5 years. I have owned her and looked after her for the past 2 years and since then put 11k on her. SO she has a total of 18874 miles.

ALways been serviced and look after and never thrashed. Now on route back off holiday on Sunday the engine service light came on at 70mph (having covered 60miles from leaving the inlaws) I pulled off the road, turned her off checked under the bonnet all connections and fluids then set off again. The service light had gone but so had some power. Then after say 500yds there was a large judder from the engine and she lost most power and felt very rough. I nursed it to a lay-by and then called the AA.

They came and the fault code said misfire on cylinder 3. He checked the plug which was heavily coaked and asked about oil consumption. This is something that has happened in the past but her level was fine when he checked. He swapped the plug and fired her up. Still sounded rough and still registering the code 'misfire cylinder 3' and loss of compression cylinder 3'

She has since been relayed home and is now on the drive. I am going to call around some garages but before I do I wanted to know if this was a known issue or any guesses on what it could be? The AA guy hazarded a guess at a piston ring?? I am reluctant to pay loads out as she is just a town run about, but with her being so low milage and only two owners I dont want to scrap it either.

Any ideas on what it could be? if it is a common issue? are there any checks I can do my self? what sort of ball park figures can I be looking at?

I hope that makes sense and thanks for reading.


Drive Blind

5,253 posts

184 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
quotequote all
check ht leads and ignition system - incase it is a misfire/ignition problem.

Compression test should confirm if it's something more serious.

Harry Crotch

Original Poster:

745 posts

176 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
quotequote all
Is there a lay mans way to check compression? I.e me checking it on the drive?

Drive Blind

5,253 posts

184 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
quotequote all

you'll need to buy or borrow a compression tester

http://www.screwfix.com/p/laser-compression-tester...


Defcon5

6,304 posts

198 months

Thursday 7th April 2011
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Is the OBD system in an 04 Corsa really sophsticated enough to measure compression in individual cylinders?

adamc987

133 posts

171 months

Saturday 9th April 2011
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I'm pretty sure that it won't know about loss of compression and show up a trouble code saying so.is it the 3 cylinder engine?I'd try a new coilpack first and make sure the timing chain is tight.is the engine rattly at all?

Harry Crotch

Original Poster:

745 posts

176 months

Monday 11th April 2011
quotequote all
Just had a call from the garage. The piston has a hole in it. Wtf???? It's only done 18k and never thrashed.

Now he's quoted £900 for a recon engine then labour. What's involved with just throwing in a new piston?

I just want to get it working then I'm thinking to trade it in. But if I swap the engine she loses the 18k status in my mind.

I'm pulling my hair out here.

Defcon5

6,304 posts

198 months

Monday 11th April 2011
quotequote all
Running lean maybe - Faulty lambda throwing the fuelling out?