new mamber help engine won't turn overor bump start

[seanhyde]

HI can anyone help? I think my engine is dead!
seicento 2001. sx 1.1 58 k miles . Been driving great but been losing water.I thought head gasket as a bit smokey but no mayonase inside filler cap. been topping up water and waiting for christmas hols to fix.suspected water pump.
reversed into parking space last night and noticed more smoke than normal . When I returned to car it would not start. Head lights dim when I try but it does not feel like starter motor. It feels like engine won't turn over cos starter not able to turn it. I got some mates to push. 3 adults found it really hard to push and as soon as I let out clutch in 2 nd they could not push it. I think it's seized .I left it in school car park last night and am arranging a friend to tow home. Is there anything else it could possibly be ? I'm reasonably handy but spent most of my life on air cooled vw's .

 

[ysidfa]

Sounds like heafty problem.
Keeping your engine well coolled and lubricated is a MASSIVE part of running a car.
Not saying you have'nt but If you did know air cooled vw engines then you would know, they need ALOT of lubrication to be able to function at full performance and efficiency (I work with re-bored 2.4l air cooled caravanette engines in GROB Vidgilent gliders for a living). Something like smoke from a head gasget is a BIG issue and shouldnt be left till youve got the money and time to fix it.

My best advice, is get it towed to a garage and get them to have a look. Sounds like a heat seizure due to mass-negligence.
If it is a seizure. Then your looking at either a re-bore and sleave of the cylinders, new pistons (maybe rods) and compression rings.Probably a re-skim from the damage caused by overheating. Or a new bottom end.

Good car maintenance is key to keeping on the road.

Cheers
Tom

 

[seanhyde]

Hi Tom I feel like I've just been told off ! maybe I deserve it ,but as skint single parent with 4 kids I can't afford to use a garage and always work out how to repair stuff myself. The smoke was not from the head gasket but from the exhaust. I posted this in the seicento bit too and got lots of helpful stuff. I appreciate your time in writing thanks