Vauxhall Astra Club 2004 1.6 16V - Serious Engine Repair?

[mAGNU5]

Greets all,

This is the first time I have used an online car forum. Please accept my apologies if I am not conforming to etiquette or this is in the wrong place - I will learn =)

I recently bought my wife her first car for her 30th birthday. It's a Vauxhall Astra Club 1.6 16V. Since we bought it, we have been having problems and I think we are now at a point where we need serious mechanical help but unsure who to turn too.

In short, the car has been burning a lot of oil (maybe around 1 litre every 6 weeks) over short distances of around 10 miles every day. Further to this, as of this morning, the engine oil is contaminated with water - typical coffee coloured ice-cream consistency.

So, I'm not a mechanic (software engineer by trade), but my research indicates this could be piston rings and head gasket.

Anyone know who I could turn to within/very near Gateshead for further help to look into this?

All help is greatly appreciated.

Best regards,
Chris

[TD]

Hi Chris,
I would recommend Autolink in Jesmond 0191 230 3535 ask for Dave Bell (owner) this type of repair / diagnosis right up his street, very reasonable and good set up

[mAGNU5]

Thanks TD. I'll give him a call.

[K-Cee]

Quote { In short, the car has been burning a lot of oil (maybe around 1 litre every 6 weeks) over short distances of around 10 miles every day. Further to this, as of this morning, the engine oil is contaminated with water - typical coffee coloured ice-cream consistency.


Take it this is a Mk4.., they absolutely love oil, we,ve still got two of them a 1.6 and 1.4 both Mk 4,s.., have you drained the oil? to confirm water in the oil ? if it,s just on the inside of the oil filler cap, and particularly in this cold weather, short runs etc, it,s probably just condensation.., that,s been my experience with these cars over the many years we have had them, overall they are good little cars, when you say " burning a lot of oil" can you physically see blue smoke coming from the exhaust ? just to recap they do use oil !

Edited by K-Cee on Thursday 26th February 20:28

[C. Grimsley]

Rebuilt a few of these, will require a set of piston rings, not a bad engine to work on at all, parts are not expensive either.

Carl

[K-Cee]

K-Cee said:

Quote { In short, the car has been burning a lot of oil (maybe around 1 litre every 6 weeks) over short distances of around 10 miles every day. Further to this, as of this morning, the engine oil is contaminated with water - typical coffee coloured ice-cream consistency.


Take it this is a Mk4.., they absolutely love oil, we,ve still got two of them a 1.6 and 1.4 both Mk 4,s.., have you drained the oil? to confirm water in the oil ? if it,s just on the inside of the oil filler cap, and particularly in this cold weather, short runs etc, it,s probably just condensation.., that,s been my experience with these cars over the many years we have had them, overall they are good little cars, when you say " burning a lot of oil" can you physically see blue smoke coming from the exhaust ? stem seals / rings..., just to recap they do use oil !

Edited by K-Cee on Thursday 26th February 20:28