Car engine likely screwed - need a replacement car quickly
Discussion
Hi all.
Had to get towed by RAC to a garage last Thursday after engine cut out. No compression was the diagnosis, I'm waiting on the garage to re-time the engine and see if it starts, at a cost of £180. If it doesn't start, it's scrap because the cost to investigate and repair possible engine damage will be more than it's worth.
It is a Ford Mondeo 2.5T estate at 120k miles. Cambelt was done in 2019 when I bought the car at £3k.
There was no sign of anything wrong in advance, car has been driving fine until this sudden failure last week.
I don't have a lot of money to spend. £3k is painful but I can find it. More than that has to be loan or finance.
I would like a big estate again because of camping and mountain biking trips. Also will be used for commuting 30 miles round trip 3 days a week, and of course other normal car duties.
Obviously don't want big bills or another mechanical failure that causes a write off.
Anyone any ideas please?
Before the Mondeo I had a Honda Accord for 4 years but the arches were badly rusted and at 180k miles I got rid of it.
Had to get towed by RAC to a garage last Thursday after engine cut out. No compression was the diagnosis, I'm waiting on the garage to re-time the engine and see if it starts, at a cost of £180. If it doesn't start, it's scrap because the cost to investigate and repair possible engine damage will be more than it's worth.
It is a Ford Mondeo 2.5T estate at 120k miles. Cambelt was done in 2019 when I bought the car at £3k.
There was no sign of anything wrong in advance, car has been driving fine until this sudden failure last week.
I don't have a lot of money to spend. £3k is painful but I can find it. More than that has to be loan or finance.
I would like a big estate again because of camping and mountain biking trips. Also will be used for commuting 30 miles round trip 3 days a week, and of course other normal car duties.
Obviously don't want big bills or another mechanical failure that causes a write off.
Anyone any ideas please?
Before the Mondeo I had a Honda Accord for 4 years but the arches were badly rusted and at 180k miles I got rid of it.
Tricky one. The 2.5T is obviously a fairly quick car, how important is it to have something with similar poke?
As an owner of a 2007 Merc estate, I can't really recommend Mercs of this age as a low maintenance option in all honesty, nice as they can be.
You may know this, but be aware that quite a few cars with powerful engines incur the top £630 rate of road tax if first registered after 23 March 2006. And with any purchase, check the MoT history online to look for corrosion advisories/fails.
A few thoughts
Lexus Rx300 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210080...
SAAB 9-5 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208249...
Vauxhall Insignia https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209230...
Toyota Previa https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209250...
(throwing in an SUV and an MPV as the Japanese brands don't really sell big estates in the UK, but the need for reliability indicates them)
danlightbulb said:
Hi all.
Had to get towed by RAC to a garage last Thursday after engine cut out. No compression was the diagnosis, I'm waiting on the garage to re-time the engine and see if it starts, at a cost of £180. If it doesn't start, it's scrap because the cost to investigate and repair possible engine damage will be more than it's worth.
It is a Ford Mondeo 2.5T estate at 120k miles. Cambelt was done in 2019 when I bought the car at £3k.
There was no sign of anything wrong in advance, car has been driving fine until this sudden failure last week.
I don't have a lot of money to spend. £3k is painful but I can find it. More than that has to be loan or finance.
I would like a big estate again because of camping and mountain biking trips. Also will be used for commuting 30 miles round trip 3 days a week, and of course other normal car duties.
Or there are firms that'll do the swap & warranty the new engine.
Obviously don't want big bills or another mechanical failure that causes a write off.
Anyone any ideas please?
Before the Mondeo I had a Honda Accord for 4 years but the arches were badly rusted and at 180k miles I got rid of it.
If the rest of the car is good I'd look for another engine.Had to get towed by RAC to a garage last Thursday after engine cut out. No compression was the diagnosis, I'm waiting on the garage to re-time the engine and see if it starts, at a cost of £180. If it doesn't start, it's scrap because the cost to investigate and repair possible engine damage will be more than it's worth.
It is a Ford Mondeo 2.5T estate at 120k miles. Cambelt was done in 2019 when I bought the car at £3k.
There was no sign of anything wrong in advance, car has been driving fine until this sudden failure last week.
I don't have a lot of money to spend. £3k is painful but I can find it. More than that has to be loan or finance.
I would like a big estate again because of camping and mountain biking trips. Also will be used for commuting 30 miles round trip 3 days a week, and of course other normal car duties.
Or there are firms that'll do the swap & warranty the new engine.
Obviously don't want big bills or another mechanical failure that causes a write off.
Anyone any ideas please?
Before the Mondeo I had a Honda Accord for 4 years but the arches were badly rusted and at 180k miles I got rid of it.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155221765090?hash=item2...
Obviously get a cambelt change done before installing.
ZX10R NIN said:
If the rest of the car is good I'd look for another engine.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155221765090?hash=item2...
Obviously get a cambelt change done before installing.
£1250 for the engine, somehow got to get it transported, find a garage willing to fit it, get my car to them from the garage it's currently at. We're easily talking £2k plus.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155221765090?hash=item2...
Obviously get a cambelt change done before installing.
I would be too worried about throwing money down the drain doing that I think.
ZX10R NIN said:
If the rest of the car is good I'd look for another engine.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155221765090?hash=item2...
Obviously get a cambelt change done before installing.
I bought an entire 120k-mile 2006 V70 2.5T with that engine for £1,300 last year. Was a lucky find, but V70 is mostly pretty robust and cheap ones are out there, so maybe that could be a low-cost alternative to the Mondeo if it worked well for you.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/155221765090?hash=item2...
Obviously get a cambelt change done before installing.
Cheapest I can find at the moment is £1,895 with MOT running until October 2023 with advisories only for front brake pads and a rear tyre: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125559038928?hash=item1...
Not sure if this is any help, but I had exactly the same car and exactly the same problem.
The Aux belt snapped and caused the cambelt to jump a couple of teeth - that was enough to cause most (all?) of the valves to hit the pistons and resulted in no compression. The Aux belt should be changed every 10 years - my car was 9 years old when this happened
The Aux belt snapped and caused the cambelt to jump a couple of teeth - that was enough to cause most (all?) of the valves to hit the pistons and resulted in no compression. The Aux belt should be changed every 10 years - my car was 9 years old when this happened
omniflow said:
Not sure if this is any help, but I had exactly the same car and exactly the same problem.
The Aux belt snapped and caused the cambelt to jump a couple of teeth - that was enough to cause most (all?) of the valves to hit the pistons and resulted in no compression. The Aux belt should be changed every 10 years - my car was 9 years old when this happened
My aux belt looks to still be in place though. Should know either way today, car is being re-timed and attempted to be started by the garage.The Aux belt snapped and caused the cambelt to jump a couple of teeth - that was enough to cause most (all?) of the valves to hit the pistons and resulted in no compression. The Aux belt should be changed every 10 years - my car was 9 years old when this happened
Did you repair yours or scrap it?
danlightbulb said:
My aux belt looks to still be in place though. Should know either way today, car is being re-timed and attempted to be started by the garage.
Did you repair yours or scrap it?
I hate to say it, but I have a feeling you are going to be wasting another £180 to confirm this engine is dead. Did you repair yours or scrap it?
As you already know, there is no point fitting another engine, too many unknowns and additional potential costs.
The problem with £3K cars is you are really buying a car that was £1500 to £2000 pre covid.
Joey Deacon said:
I hate to say it, but I have a feeling you are going to be wasting another £180 to confirm this engine is dead.
As you already know, there is no point fitting another engine, too many unknowns and additional potential costs.
The problem with £3K cars is you are really buying a car that was £1500 to £2000 pre covid.
What price point would I need to go to to get something half decent? I could maybe go to £5-£6k if it is worth it. I'm just worried that spending £5k still doesn't get me out of the risky zone.As you already know, there is no point fitting another engine, too many unknowns and additional potential costs.
The problem with £3K cars is you are really buying a car that was £1500 to £2000 pre covid.
I used to be bothered about having a big engine, sporty looks etc. Now I just want something reliable, big enough, and that can keep up on my motorway commutes.
danlightbulb said:
Just had the confirmation, shredded aux/cambelt, no compression.
Scrap value on internet is £480. Any chance I could get more on eBay/gumtree?
If it was me, for an easy life I would just get it scrapped. In my experience of selling cheap cars you unfortunately get to deal with the dregs of humanity who want it for free, make their problem your problem, and mess you about.Scrap value on internet is £480. Any chance I could get more on eBay/gumtree?
With eBay you are going to have to pay listing and selling fees. If you are going to sell on eBay do not list it as Buy it Now or as an Auction as there is a high chance the person will then ghost you and you will have to pay to list it again.
Honestly I would take the £480 and get on with your day.
danlightbulb said:
Just had the confirmation, shredded aux/cambelt, no compression.
Scrap value on internet is £480. Any chance I could get more on eBay/gumtree?
I doubt it. It's a Mondeo with the majorly interesting piece broken.Scrap value on internet is £480. Any chance I could get more on eBay/gumtree?
As far as a cheap car goes, look at Vectra estates? Yeah, they're derided blah, blah, blah. It's cheap, usually reliable (avoid the 2.2, not E10 compliant) and cheap as chips to find parts for. Facebook Marketplace is usually swamped with them. You could get a half decent car for £1000-£1500 to get you by. Keep the remainder for something you really want in future.
Mazda 6's of this age are built with loads of Ford parts if you want a slightly left field Mondeo equivalent.
That not good news OP.
Take the £480 scrap.
Suggestions for replacements
Astra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210210...
Avensis
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208198...
SAAB 9-3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205165...
V50
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210140...
Focus
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210110...
Take the £480 scrap.
Suggestions for replacements
Astra
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210210...
Avensis
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202208198...
SAAB 9-3
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205165...
V50
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210140...
Focus
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210110...
danlightbulb said:
omniflow said:
Not sure if this is any help, but I had exactly the same car and exactly the same problem.
The Aux belt snapped and caused the cambelt to jump a couple of teeth - that was enough to cause most (all?) of the valves to hit the pistons and resulted in no compression. The Aux belt should be changed every 10 years - my car was 9 years old when this happened
My aux belt looks to still be in place though. Should know either way today, car is being re-timed and attempted to be started by the garage.The Aux belt snapped and caused the cambelt to jump a couple of teeth - that was enough to cause most (all?) of the valves to hit the pistons and resulted in no compression. The Aux belt should be changed every 10 years - my car was 9 years old when this happened
Did you repair yours or scrap it?
I ended up buying a 6 month old Mk5 Mondeo for £22K on PCP - I put £2K down and then £400 / month for 3 years with a balloon of about £7K. When I paid the balloon I could have sold the car for £17K
How about any of these ones?
2012 Astra Tourer 1.6 72k miles, £4.5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210070...
2009 Focus 1.8 Zetec 112k miles, £2k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210110...
2010 Insignia 2.0 Elite auto 80k miles, £5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...
2007 Mazda 6 TS2 2.0 auto 103k miles, £2.5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209240...
2011 Avensis 1.8 auto 120k miles, £4.5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...
2005 Accord 2.4 Exec auto 159k miles, £1.4k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203213...
2012 Astra Tourer 1.6 72k miles, £4.5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210070...
2009 Focus 1.8 Zetec 112k miles, £2k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210110...
2010 Insignia 2.0 Elite auto 80k miles, £5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210271...
2007 Mazda 6 TS2 2.0 auto 103k miles, £2.5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209240...
2011 Avensis 1.8 auto 120k miles, £4.5k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210261...
2005 Accord 2.4 Exec auto 159k miles, £1.4k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203213...
ZX10R NIN said:
The Insignia Elite would be the pick.
Ok. Obviously that is the highest priced car on the list there at £5k. Can you tell me anything about them, things to look out for? Are you choosing that because of the spec or because its a reliable car? The car above is an automatic, quite powerful 2 litre. An 80k miler is approaching the mileage things start to break?Edited by danlightbulb on Tuesday 1st November 20:09
danlightbulb said:
Ok. Obviously that is the highest priced car on the list there at £5k. Can you tell me anything about them, things to look out for? Are you choosing that because of the spec or because its a reliable car? The car above is an automatic, quite powerful 2 litre. An 80k miler is approaching the mileage things start to break?
The engine is a reliable unit as is the auto gearbox, the spec is the highest you could get, also the 2.0T makes for a more relaxing drive whilst having the power on tap.Edited by danlightbulb on Tuesday 1st November 20:09
You could go for the 1.8 version, in the real world they'll be no more economical than the 2.0T above.
SRI:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210140...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209290...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175445074697?hash=item2...
You can get the 2.0T for less:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202209230...
Make sure the Haldex oil service has been carried out but this one could be a good buy.
With this sort of budget, personally I'd only be looking at private sales. Or I'd be going to auctions that are also open to the general public. You'll find the sort of cars that traders are slapping some tyre shine on to and selling on for a tidy profit. Yeah it's taking a punt, but you're taking a punt anyway.
If a Focus estate would be big enough, what about a Volvo V50? The 1.6 turbo diesel is the PSA engine. They're not all bad, I sold a Fiesta with the same engine on 210k miles. But I'd be looking at the 2.0D instead. Cheap ones can be found for under £1500, £2-3k can find better examples.
If a Focus estate would be big enough, what about a Volvo V50? The 1.6 turbo diesel is the PSA engine. They're not all bad, I sold a Fiesta with the same engine on 210k miles. But I'd be looking at the 2.0D instead. Cheap ones can be found for under £1500, £2-3k can find better examples.
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