Hello.

I've had a search and it sounds oil-related, but here goes:

S-Reg Marea 1.8 ELX Saloon

Red oil can light came on the other day, so I drove the remaining twelve miles home. With about two miles left, a horrible clunking/grinding noise started - cleared when the engine was idling, only there when the accelerator was used. I limped home and then nipped to Tesco in my wife's car and got their own (not Value) brand 10/40 oil 2 litre and topped up the engine. I let the engine run for a couple of minutes and the noise died down, as I expected it to once the oil had re-lubricated the parts it needed to.
However, I've driven to work this morning and all was fine on the 13 mile trip until the last mile and a half, when noise restarted and the engine stalled. I re-started the engine and took it carefully (20-25mph) in 3rd gear to the car park at work. Looking on yell.co.uk, the nearest garage is 1.5 miles away, with a Tesco in walking distance.

Firstly, any ideas what the problem is?

Secondly, should I top up with more oil from Tesco and get it to a mechanic or take a sledgehammer to it? Cam belt went at the start of 2005 and was fixed, together with a new head gasket, so I'm assuming that isn't the problem.

Thanks in advance for replies.

How low was the oil before you topped it up?

Just noticed you said the light was on.. If the level wasn't on the dip stick then it's likely you've damaged some of the engine internals. The light shows no oil pressure - not low oil level. By the time the red light is on there may already be damage happening.

Hellcat said:

How low was the oil before you topped it up?

Click to expand...

I'm not sure - I didn't check it, I just filled it up.

What's your suspicion?

Is the noise you are hearing now the same grinding/banging noise you first heard or more like a bag of nuts rattle?

Bad news is major engine works required, good news could be air in the tappets.

Bad news was that the engine's screwed.
Would have cost £900-£1200 to put right, so I've got a Mondeo instead.

Thanks for your advice.

Sorry about the car, hope you have better luck with your new one