Puma 1.7 engine ran fine, doesn't now. Help!

[alackofspeed]

Hi,

I've just transplanted the engine from a 1.7 Puma into a mk4 Fiesta. Quite why I did it, I'm now questioning... but putting that aside for the moment!

I'm in need of some advice/comments/sympathy, from anyone on this board that might understand my engine's problem.

I fitted the engine and wiring on Saturday, and gave the car a shake down over the course of the weekend. I did about 200 miles in it, and all seemed fine. Yesterday I drove the car to work, and then during the day had to attend a meeting, so went on a 160 mile round trip. All was well, except a slight idle glitch (traits of ISCV problems I experienced on a previous car) so I was happy with the car. Anyhow, 30 minutes after returning back to my office following the trip, I returned to the car to leave work for the day, only the car wasn't haven't any of it. I turned the key and the engine cranked and fired up, BUT, and this is the real problem, it sounded seriously tappety and was also miss-firing. I didn't drive the car as I didn't want to damage the engine, and so got the breakdown chaps out.

What I'm trying to understand is what could be wrong, and why something would go wrong after working fine, then being started up 30 minutes later. The engine has fresh oil set at the correct level, fresh coolant, new plugs, new cambelt, new cambelt tensioner, water pump, and there is no evidence of cross contamination of the fluids.

Any ideas people? I'm borrowing a car while mine is out of action, so the sooner I can get the Puma engine working properly again the better.

Thanks in advance,

John.

[chassis 33]

Is this the same engine you had rebuilt shortly after you got it from a "specialist"?

Regards
Iain

[alackofspeed]

Yes, sadly. (sob)

[sharky55]

If all the levels are ok and fuelling & ignition are spot on check compression next. This should tell you what cylinder/s are causing the problem.

[chassis 33]

Where are you based?

Regards
Iain

[alackofspeed]

I'm in Dorset, nr Wimborne (well, ish - see below).

I've done nothing to investigate the engine yet - it broke down in Bristol, it was dark, and has been taken by the breakdown company back to Dorset. I live and work in Bristol during the week....

A compressor tester is on order - something I've been meaning to buy for a long time. :-)

>> Edited by alackofspeed on Tuesday 15th November 23:44

[alackofspeed]

www.dry-family.f2s.com/fiesta_carnage/1.7_not_wel

:-(

[matt_fp]

Dropped a valve or no oiling to top end leading to rapid cam wear or lifter failure would be my guess.

Matt

[alackofspeed]

Thanks for the reply. It's good (but bad) that you're confirming my suspicions, although a little worrying that the head might be toast!

p.s. I meant compress*ion* above. God knows why I wrote "compressor"!

[numbnuts]

Incorrect fitting of the tensioner possibly! Sounds like the belt has jumped, did you say the car was in bristol or back in dorset, i am based in bristol and would be happy to have a look if your not to far away1

[alackofspeed]

Thanks for the offer of assistance. The car is back in Dorset, as that is where all my tools are. If the belt has jumped and that level of noise has resulted, then presumably some components are contacting, which shouldn't contact. Eep!

I really shouldn't be having these problems with a rebuilt engine..........!