Pug engine and MOT emission test - magic cures :-)

[thepeoplespal]

My missus has inherited an old (L reg) 405 estate with a 1.6litre petrol engine (63000 genuine miles) which I think has a Big End Bearing problem (run without oil is my guess on the reason) - does a marvelous imitation of a diesel if you push it a bit, but it still cruises at 85mph all day long on the motorway.

What should I do?
Scrap it, stick another engine it or try to get the current engine fixed. Suggestions and the likely costs involved are most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[mad dawg]

if you don't mind getting covered in oil then you could change the big end and/or main bearing shells in situ. other than that put some nice thick oil in (and change it regularly - cheapo halfords stuff would be ideal), go easy on the engine and scrap the car when the motor eventually dies! (which might be years...)

[danhay]

For 5 quid you could try a bottle of Wynns Stop Smoke - available from Halfords.

I've had great results from it. If the engine is already slightly knackered you've got very little to lose by trying it.

[Mad Dawg]

btw - if its solid lifters then check the valve lash - if its had a life of short journeys then the cam might be worn = nice clackety diesel noise. just a thought.

[thepeoplespal]

mad dawg said: if you don't mind getting covered in oil then you could change the big end and/or main bearing shells in situ. other than that put some nice thick oil in (and change it regularly - cheapo halfords stuff would be ideal), go easy on the engine and scrap the car when the motor eventually dies! (which might be years...)

I think changing the big end bearings is probably a lot more than my capabilities unfortunately (have an element of the theory, just no experience) and having access to the right tools might also be a bit of a problem. Have went to cheapo oil route as well.

Is the big end bearing problem likely to have much effect on the emissions assuming the rest of the engine is okay? Currently seems no real issues concerning excess smoke that I can tell.

[mad dawg]

thepeoplespal said:

mad dawg said: if you don't mind getting covered in oil then you could change the big end and/or main bearing shells in situ. other than that put some nice thick oil in (and change it regularly - cheapo halfords stuff would be ideal), go easy on the engine and scrap the car when the motor eventually dies! (which might be years...)

I think changing the big end bearings is probably a lot more than my capabilities unfortunately (have an element of the theory, just no experience) and having access to the right tools might also be a bit of a problem. Have went to cheapo oil route as well.

Is the big end bearing problem likely to have much effect on the emissions assuming the rest of the engine is okay? Currently seems no real issues concerning excess smoke that I can tell.

knackered big ends shouldn't affect emissions.
Had a big end go on my buick last year - started off sounding like two bits of metal knocking together in the engine bay and was only evident under load. after a few miles it sounded like someone was whacking the engine block with a hammer!! had visions of a conrod flailing around inside the block but on inspection everything was intact except the bearing shell which was a pile of mush in the sump pan.
If your getting a dieselly clattering noise then I'd start with checking the valve lash. Mate of mine once bought a 1.6 205 GTI with 38000 on the clock. Had been used by someone just to go to the local shops and back for years. He had to have the cam replaced as the short journeys had just worn the lobes out. low mileage is not necessarily a good thing!!

[thepeoplespal]

mad dawg said:

thepeoplespal said:

mad dawg said: if you don't mind getting covered in oil then you could change the big end and/or main bearing shells in situ. other than that put some nice thick oil in (and change it regularly - cheapo halfords stuff would be ideal), go easy on the engine and scrap the car when the motor eventually dies! (which might be years...)

Is the big end bearing problem likely to have much effect on the emissions assuming the rest of the engine is okay? Currently seems no real issues concerning excess smoke that I can tell.

---

knackered big ends shouldn't affect emissions.
Had a big end go on my buick last year - started off sounding like two bits of metal knocking together in the engine bay and was only evident under load. after a few miles it sounded like someone was whacking the engine block with a hammer!! had visions of a conrod flailing around inside the block but on inspection everything was intact except the bearing shell which was a pile of mush in the sump pan.

---

You were right about the emissions test not being effected by big end bearing problems, took it to get MOT'd today and the motor passed with flying colours.

So the old girl lives to fight another day, it might be a bit long in the tooth, but it is comfortable on a long journey and the AirCon makes traffic jams tolerable.