A few weeks ago my 2001 1.9 JTD ELX diesel Multipla was dropped onto a curb which left a hole in the sump the size of a tennis ball . The oil warning light came on immediately but the driver drove it for about a mile! When I got it towed to my garage they took sump down replaced sump and large end bearings. Afterwards the mechanic drove it for a mile or so and said it had a slight metallic knocking that went away at 2000 revs.

I picked it up drove it home and yes it has a knocking plus as soon as I hit a slight hill the power goes. Got it home and called garage who say it sounds like small ends. The options seem to be 1. let garage rebuild the engine or 2. get a reconditioned or low mileage engine and replace it.

Does any one have any thoughts on these options and if a re con or nearly new engine is the answer what other cars have this engine and where is a good place to look for one?

Any help gratefully received as I'm stumped, and have been sitting with car in drive for 3 weeks waiting for inspiration!

Trevor

IMO if I was going to the trouble of having the small-ends replaced, I would also be expecting to change the gudgeon pins and have the crank reground with oversize shells fitted plus a new oil pump. Only that way can you really eliminate the threat of consequential damage from the "oil free" period of running destroying the engine once more.

The cost of doing the job to that extent are likely to be prohibitive so an exchange or even used engine may be more viable.