Technical worn camshaft and followers advice please!!

[Garington]

Hi, I'm a total novice mechanic and wondered if anyone could answer a few questions about problems I'm having with my 98 Bravo SX 1.4

It's got a worn camshaft and followers due to a block in the oil pipe to the cylinder head and I took it to a garage who said it would cost £650 to fix, probably because it would involve replacing the cam belt too. Does this sound like a reasonable price? are there any tried and trusted garages in London?

It's only done 100miles since I first noticed the problem (by the whining noise coming from under the hood) so, having changed the engine and filter oil and had an engine flush done, I'm wondering if I can get away with running it for a few hundred more miles before fixing without doing any further damage?

Also, would a camshaft and followers set for a Fiat Brava 1400 12v do as a replacement?

Any advice greatly appreciated!

G

 

[Steven]

£650 sounds like a bit much. I nearly bought a Brava with the same problem and I was quoted £350. One garage quoted me £1600, so shop around! If you supply the parts yourself you will save even more. Here is a kit I found on eBay for £140.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10382&item=4518790197&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

It's a big job to attempt yourself... If your handy with spanners it must be worth a shot though.

 

[rich.]

if it does not sound in to much pain it will probs be ok 4 another few hundred miles,as long as that pipe is clear.old cavaliers i had always had knocking cams that went on 4 ever.but if it sounds like a bag of spanners dont risk it.keep the revs low.when you drive.

 

[Steven]

It's a chance though. They can seize because of the oil starvation.

 

[Garington]

cheers, I'll shop around. That one on ebay's for a Brava, is it the same engine as the Bravo?

 

[Garington]

Cheers rich, it's just got a light knock at the moment so I guess I'll get the coupla hundred miles I need before I can get it sorted + it's had the pipe replaced and an engine oil flush so the blockage should've gone.

 

[Steven]

Yes, it's the same engine.