BIIIG problems with engine! May need a new one :(

[IluuurvemyFTO]

Hi all - What a great resource! Big thumbs up to you all

I have searched through most forums and cannot find a similar question/answer, so here is my post (sorry if there is an answer somewhere).

It's looking like my little cars' engine has had an oil problem, as there is no oil in the front head (when you look through the filler cap), and the camshafts have seized (probably) as a result. As yet we are not sure about the rear head cams, but the crankshaft still moves freely. When checking the oil, the level on the dipstick is fine, and the oil is runny and clear. We are thinking that this is an oil pump problem or flow problem.

I have 2 questions: 1. Where is the oil light on the dash if there was a problem? It has never come on before, and it doesn't seem to display even when I turn the ignition over. So I am thinking maybe it has not ever worked, and it may have been trying to tell me that there was a problem all along...

2. Where does my mechanic find the oil pressure sender unit?

I would love some feedback as to whether people think that this is a 'fixable' problem, or if in fact a new engine would be a better alternative financially?

Many many thanks in advance!

[Bennoz]

Sounds like you may have a blocked oil gallery or similar...
The front camshafts wont have seized as they are run off the same timing belt as the rear cams. Try pulling the front rocker cover off & have a look around. The main oil galleries that come into the head are under the tappets.
There are also oil galleries in the cam journals. Perhaps the motor just needs a solid flush - usally done with Deisel oil under pressure.
The dash light may not come on because its measuring crank case pressure I beleive... and that reading is probably ok.

Does the motor run? Is it Mivec or Non Mivec?

[IluuurvemyFTO]

Hi Bennoz, thanks for your speedy reply.

The mechanic is taking the covers off and having a look around today.

The motor is a MIVEC, and it stopped running on Saturday night. Luckily the mechanic (a friend) was driving it, as I had it with him to look at some other things (CV boots, muffler etc.).

I will have some more info tomorrow as to what is going on.

Thanks again,
Christie

[IluuurvemyFTO]

Hi Bennoz,

I couldn't find my mechanic friend last night, however hubby went around to the workshop and had a look - the oil has left a black tar like substance all over. There is still some oil in the rear heads. Your theory sounds right. We THINK what has happened is perhaps when we got the oil thinned (when we first got the car), Midas were supposed to change the oil filter the next time around, however it appears they didn't. So a blocked oil filter full of *$%# is a result!

It's not looking good! Who knows what other damage has been done...

I think we might take it down to Lee at SL Motorsports in Melbourne (a recommendation from one of the forums here).

(I hope this all makes sense - hubby could explain it better later tonight....)

- C

[smorison]

i know this may sound silly... but check the bulb in your dash make sure its not blown... i've seen this a few times and it could explain why the light doesn't come on when you start the car.

[IluuurvemyFTO]

Thanks for that Smorison - I will check. The car is coming home tonight, I am not so sure my mechanic is able to do the job properly, whether cleaning out the engine or putting a new one in.

Cheers,
Christie

[payaya]

when you look through the oil cap whole there is not meant to be a real obvious sign of oil, coating of oil yes but thats it.

If you didnt have oil:

You car wont be driveable. It would be stuffed already.

Lifters would be tapping loudly non stop etc.

[IluuurvemyFTO]

Hi Papaya, thanks for your post.

We have the cover off, and yes you are right - there is a very fine film of oil. However, it appears that the pulley ends of the Cams have been very hot, and appear to have seized in their housings.

The car is not driveable at the moment, it came to a slow stop last week when my mechanic was checking out a noisy CV. Prior to that it was OK.

We are now establishing what to do next - it is hard living in country VIC, as there are not many people confident enough to work on it....