Help, Blown my new Zetec 2.0 engine!!
Discussion
Hi
In desperate need of any advice re my Caterham 7.
Had a brand new Ford Zetec 2.0 engine put in in May 2015, along with Clutch/ Fly wheel/ Manifold/ Engine mounts and Motorcycle carbs. All done and recommended by professional garage who specialise in engine tuning and replacement.
Didn't get many miles in last year due to weather, but managed the sensible 200 (run in) problem free. Had an oil change and engine tuned.
Within the next 100 miles started to have problems with the oil pressure running high under high revs and white/blue smoke (lots of) on start up. Garage said this could happen due to condensation in the exhaust and as the smoke dissipated once the car was warmed up, recommended carrying on driving as usual. This I did until last week.......
Knocking noise started 4 miles away from home which got louder, oil came out of the carburettor so I pulled over. The new engine has now down about 400 miles.
The car has been towed to the garage that did the work and although more tests are being done, it has blown a piston!!!
Apparently there is no warranty and the the engine is not fixable and the engine supplier and the garage are not liable.
The engine was run in as advised, oil levels were checked regularly and the coolant temperature remained constant in the mid range when warmed up. The car was driven well, but not excessively hard.
Any help/ advice would be appreciated as I have no idea how this could have happened and what to do.
Giving a useful response in these type of situations is always difficult without seeing the engine. But from what you've described, it sound like something was fundamentally wrong with the engine build and I would be trying to pursue the people who supplied and/or built it for you. If it was a proper commercial contract with a receipt for the supply and work, they cannot duck out of responsibility that easily.
Oil out the carbs, blue smoke on start-up, should have caused the engine builder to investigate further at that stage. IMHO there'll be some obvious error when it's stripped down.
Feel for you
Oil out the carbs, blue smoke on start-up, should have caused the engine builder to investigate further at that stage. IMHO there'll be some obvious error when it's stripped down.
Feel for you
If the garage did the work for you - and that included supplying the engine- you should have a remedy against them . If this was the case and the garage are saying there is no warranty from engine supplier then ignore them- your remedy is against the garage.
If the engine was bought by you from a third party and the garage fitted it then , equally, you should have a claim against that party .
If a written agreement was made with the garage good , but don't worry if there wasn't - you still have an enforceable agreement against them.
But please-it is fine getting some thoughts on the internet but spend a few quid on a solicitor asap . In the meantime write down everything that happened and when - so you have a clear record of events.
If the engine was bought by you from a third party and the garage fitted it then , equally, you should have a claim against that party .
If a written agreement was made with the garage good , but don't worry if there wasn't - you still have an enforceable agreement against them.
But please-it is fine getting some thoughts on the internet but spend a few quid on a solicitor asap . In the meantime write down everything that happened and when - so you have a clear record of events.
No reputable engine builder would suggest 'blue smoke' was water vapour...
Water vapour is neutral in colour.
Oil smoke is blue.
Sounds like they were fobbing you off, hoping for the best.
As everyone here has suggested - go back and make demands of the garage.
That assumes they did the engine build work, if it has been modified internally.
I doubt that 200 to 400 miles would be enough for a lean running engine to blow a piston...
Water vapour is neutral in colour.
Oil smoke is blue.
Sounds like they were fobbing you off, hoping for the best.
As everyone here has suggested - go back and make demands of the garage.
That assumes they did the engine build work, if it has been modified internally.
I doubt that 200 to 400 miles would be enough for a lean running engine to blow a piston...
Oh, I should say I have 210 BHP 2.0L Zetec, and drive it rather hard... others may say I actually thrash the nuts off it...
I run to a rather high Rev. Limit, and enjoy using the 7 as often as possible
.
Check out http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=154...
I've never has a single issue, and I've done many thousands of miles.
It is a very robust engine.
I run to a rather high Rev. Limit, and enjoy using the 7 as often as possible
.
Check out http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=154...
I've never has a single issue, and I've done many thousands of miles.
It is a very robust engine.
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff