Help! Is the engine a goner???

[thehangmen]

Just got towed home by the AA, diagnosed engine 'seizure' though we all know that it isn't their job to diagnose...

Symptoms were - at 70mph ish the oil light came on, sudden loss of power - the clutch went straight in and we pulled the van over, engine still running. Turned off.
Oil/water level was fine, nothing suspicious to be seen.
Started up after a few minutes cooling down but the pull was lacking.
Stopped again, got passengers out to lighten the load and got a bit further before it cut out completely.
Turned over but cut out, then wouldn't turn over (just the 'click').

Anyone recognise this? Is it terminal...?
New engine? If so - any idea of prices????

Its a 2.5 Di done around 140k, well serviced and maintained.

...off for a bloody good cry.

[Guy88]

Can you turn it by hand or with a socket on the crank pully. if it dont turn it be dead

[Guy88]

Also generally if the light comes on the damage is done Thats why i fitted a guage

[thehangmen]

Also generally if the light comes on the damage is done Thats why i fitted a guage

What gauge..?
The temperature gauge showed normal as far as I know...
I'll try turning it by hand tomorrow but aint optimistic then.
But if it does turn....then what?
The AA guy just said something is seizing as it 'clicked' or fired up randomly. To me something is seized or it isn't?

[dangeeeeerousss]

sounds exactly what had happened to me with a 2.0 dohc galaxy it was the oil pump had packed up siezed the engine but when we dropped the engine and started to investigate we found the oil had solidified but it was fine on the dipstick and it was serviced regular. a mechanic i know said hed never seen anything like all the time in the trade.. then phone a few days later to say there had been 4 more cases exactly the same come in that week so whether it was dodgy oil or what i dont know..
so you could try draining the oil see if it is that.
but sounds like oil pump if it is your screwed basically

[theboy1978]

Also generally if the light comes on the damage is done Thats why i fitted a guage

What gauge..?
The temperature gauge showed normal as far as I know...
I'll try turning it by hand tomorrow but aint optimistic then.
But if it does turn....then what?
The AA guy just said something is seizing as it 'clicked' or fired up randomly. To me something is seized or it isn't?

i think he means an oil pressure gauge

[theboy1978]

Also generally if the light comes on the damage is done Thats why i fitted a guage

What gauge..?
The temperature gauge showed normal as far as I know...
I'll try turning it by hand tomorrow but aint optimistic then.
But if it does turn....then what?
The AA guy just said something is seizing as it 'clicked' or fired up randomly. To me something is seized or it isn't?

i think he means an oil pressure gauge

[Guy88]

Yep i got an oil pressure guage (The enginesaver) if the needle dropps then somethings wrong. by the time the lights on its too late

[madmark]

i think you will still need a oil pump at the very least! when she has cooled down you might be able to turn it over with a big bar to get it moveing but it sounds like the minimum work it will need is a oil pump and the ends and mains will be more than likely stuffed now!

[thehangmen]

Thanks for the insights, the engine won't turn at all with the motor now (next day).
But from what everyone has said it sounds like a waste of time and effort to try and look for and repair the damage anyway, so a replacement lump it will be.


PS: Any tips on how to fit a pressure gauge then?

[Guy88]

For a guage go to a local motor factors you can get a kit for about £20. all you d it take out the oil pressure switch screw in a T and fit the switch and the sender in the kit. then you connect an ign live to the guage, earth and run a wire from the sender and jobs a goodun. hopefully no dead engine

[MarkM]

For a guage go to a local motor factors you can get a kit for about £20. all you d it take out the oil pressure switch screw in a T and fit the switch and the sender in the kit. then you connect an ign live to the guage, earth and run a wire from the sender and jobs a goodun. hopefully no dead engine

Sounds simple enough, which engine are you talking about or is this the same for ALL engines.

If this applies to the 2.5 Di then again which parts from where...pics please. I have thought about doing this along with a couple of other gauges as I think I have found a suitable gauge holder set for mounting on the A pillar.

[Guy88]

it is the same for all engines. just need the correct thread on the T fitting. i done it on a pinto.

Once you get a guage there should be instructions with it. make sure its electric not capillary. the switch in the engine is tghe one for the oil pressure light. once you T into where this comes out the block the switch for the light is screwed in and the sender screws in the remaining hole. then you just follow the instructions. Thread for pinto is M12 not sure for di but its the only bit thats different. might do a how to with pics

[MarkM]

Ok so I have this right you are saying remove the oil sender switch screw ina T-piece use one side as a replacement for old switch and screw in the stuff from the kit?

I did think it was a Pinto you had been talking about, but then all the extra toys can be put on that engine as effectively it is a Cortina engine and the toys are on Cortina's in one form or another. Since the Di is a different animal hence the question. I am not 100% sure that there is enough clearence to put a T-piece in place where the oil switch light sender is on the Di. thread size or otherwise.

[Guy88]

Yep thats how its done.

the adapter i used isnt T shaped. its like a square block with 1 thread on the end for the engine. one female thread on the opposit end and one on one of the flat side