Technical Head gasket / worn Piston

[branton rhino]

Hi,

Due to the car slowing from 70 to 40, oil in air filter housing and throttle body, oil in the coolant, overheating I started to replace the head gasket. Inspection shows worn piston on pot 4, yes that is the piston ring you can see in the picture! Is this terminal, do I have to rebuild the engine or will it run OK for a while? If I need to rebuild the engine the car is a scrapper!

Thanks for your help

 

[Azzam]

thats scary whats happened to your rings!
most likely the bores have been damaged mate, as this stage i would get another engine as their easier and cheaper to get.

 

[s and b]

wow
that got seriously hot
everythings rubbish in that engine now
there will be fragments everywhere

 

[branton rhino]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies.

In view of what you have said this might not be the right thing to do but I am considering replacing the piston.

I have no facillities for lifting an engine in or out or even off loading an engine from a delivery truck so an engine swap is difficult.

If I drop the sump is it straightforward to undo the big end bearings and push the piston out of the block? I assume I will have to put new rings on a new piston and assemble it to the con- rod - do I need any special tools, apart from a piston and rings do I need anything else?

Thanks for your help

 

[Scott8105]

To be honest I think you are better getting a good second hand engine, I just replaced our 1.1 Punto engine as a valve snapped and punched a hole in the head an piston. My son and I lifted the engine out and the new one in my hand with a couple of ropes round it. If you strip the engine to just the block and sump (which from the picture you are almost there) its not that heavy for two of you to lift and manipulate - make sure you rest the engine on a support of some kind when you disconnect from the mount and gearbox so you don't drop it to the floor !.

With your route I would be worried that you are putting money into an engine that may get you round the corner and seize, and you will need to measure the bore accurately to ensure you get the correct Size piston and rings, you can't just fit any piston from a Punto and hope.

 

[wilko1992]

You will have to replace all 4pistons-rings-oil scraper rings-top end bearings- bottom end bearings. Probaly will need the cylinders re honeing witch meens block out then on top end new HG-cambelt-warterpump-tenshoner-headbolts-cam cover gasget-sump gasget-oil-filter-antifreez.

On the tool side of things you will need femail torx bits, torque wrench- decent socket set and spaners-piston ring compressor-Haynes manual and this forum

with all that work U would be best hireing an engine crane about £30 per day and get a 2nd engine and drop that in

 

[Dcthebear]

HSS or similar local tool hire outlet will have a hand winch or pump crane for hire.

 

[branton rhino]

Hi,

Thanks for all the advice, I will do an engine swap, as everyone on here advises this is the way to go.

 

[wilko1992]

just get the same engine ie, 1.1 55sx from 1996 with same engine code as there is 2 engine codes according to auto data it says it on your vin plate.

 

[branton rhino]

Thanks, I didn't realise there were different 1242 CC versions. I have checked. Mine is a type 176. I will make sure I get the same!