Engine Damage

[Iceash]

My Engine has damage to one of the cylinders and the mechanic is talking of replacing the cylinder head, other people say that I should replace the whole engine! only got £400 spare so good surgestions are most welcome.

Thanks,

Iceash

 

[gary]

what is the damage exactly - you really need to know. if its just a valve then head, especially if you not done much mileage.

 

[Iceash]

they are not sure yet, haven't taken the head off yet first of all they are going to do a compression test tues. So I should know some more by then. it's done 73000 miles, the problems that I am having is that when it is cold it back fires and also when I try to increase speed at low revs it jerks all over the place.

 

[gary]

wait until they test it . they should be able to tell if it is a valve or piston or head.
try to think of anything else unusuall like temp gauge not normal, better in morning/night or mpg, it will help them diagnose.
most engines are ususally stronger on the bottom ends than the top so 73000 should be ok to just do head work as it is better to fix what you have than change. people put new engines in just for time and convenience but its not always cost effective as lomg as you stay away from main dealers and dont need a full rebuild

 

[Iceash]

Thanks for the info, put my mind at rest. I have a labour warrenty on it at the moment so I have to pay for parts. How much do you think parts would cost m8.

Iceash

 

[gary]

if you have a labour warranty then that should cover most of the cost. check the small print carefully as most of those are capped to a max payout and often exclude wear and tear. ie too high a mileage and they get fussy. get freindly with the garage just in case. if the head has to be removed and valves replaced. 100 - 200 for parts at a guess. do your probs happen only when cold or all the time. if its intermittent it wont be mechanical.

 

[Iceash]

Mainly when its cold seems to run fine once it's done 15 miles or so.

 

[gary]

are you losing any oil or water and does 15 mile coincide with the temp gauage reaching normal. it should warm up quicker than this on a fiat so im guessing it is warm way before 15 mile. is there any difference on the motorway or towns?

 

[Ash]

yea its warm after a couple of miles but to get it to perr a good 15 miles, strange I think.

Iceash

 

[gary]

tough one - see if the compression test shows anything. backfiring is normally caused by an intake air leak. perhaps there is a leak on the manifold and its sealing when hotter. poss a prob with the valve sticking? did you post before about prob with no1 cylinder after going through a puddle?

 

[Tom]

Yup, could be an air leak.

 

[Iceash]

Nope not me, no puddles this time however have large headache should find out this afternoon what is casuing the problem.

Iceash

 

[Iceash]

coil

Ol Yea cha cha cha ching! Jackpot!!!!! It was the coil after all, only £20 pounds as well sweet, runs like a mini beast as well seems to have more power and no more back firing!!

Thanks for all the Help,

Iceash.