Cloud of white smoke and no coolant

[scott.p]

On my way in to work this evening, just come off of a roundabout when in my rear view mirror a get a massive cloud of white smoke car grinds itself to a halt pretty quickly. Pop the bonnet and the header tank is empty, look under car and I can see coolant dripping from the manifold to decat join.
Luckily a mate lives round the corner so towed it to his (really glad I had my ally toe eye already in place) and will be phoning the AA in the morning to get the car recovered down to James and Mike in Staines.
Really glad I got Decent AA breakdown cover sorted 6 weeks ago...
Bad times as it was a replacement engine which has only been in the car about 6 weeks.

These cars can be testing things

 

[Beasley Clio182]

gutted to hear mate any idea whats failed ?

 

[scott.p]

No Idea, Belts look fine (were only changed 6 weeks ago) and the bay is dry.
It was a massive cloud of smoke. It had sowed no signs of temperature fluctuations or anything leading up to the incident.
I had only been on the phone to James earlier to discuss the oil consumption at 200miles for 1/2 a litre and sort out getting valve seals changed as the car held fantastically on compression check less than two weeks ago

 

[Beasley Clio182]

No Idea, Belts look fine (were only changed 6 weeks ago) and the bay is dry.
It was a massive cloud of smoke. It had sowed no signs of temperature fluctuations or anything leading up to the incident.
I had only been on the phone to James earlier to discuss the oil consumption at 200miles for 1/2 a litre and sort out getting valve seals changed as the car held fantastically on compression check less than two weeks ago

Sounds more like a massive loss of coolant and over heating ? or was it more internal engine failure ? gutting either way mate !!

 

[scott.p]

Yeah that is indeed what it sounds like. It was like a steam train.
Coolant was sat halfway between min and max this afternoon, as I was under the bonnet to top up the oil.
HG possibly (although uncommon), or something more sinister internally

 

[Beasley Clio182]

Yeah that is indeed what it sounds like. It was like a steam train.
Coolant was sat halfway between min and max this afternoon, as I was under the bonnet to top up the oil.
HG possibly (although uncommon), or something more sinister internally

Rare but not impossible ! hope you get it sorted mate ! keep us updated

 

[scott.p]

Just heard from James and cylinder 4 is a mess, looks like it has dropped a valve.
The engine I've had for less than 6 weeks

 

[scott.p]

Well all is finally good, new engine fitted and mapped. So I thought I would share a couple of pics of the damage with you...

 

[MicKPM]

Bit of JB Weld... Good as new!

 

[Tony Hunter]

Bit of JB Weld... Good as new!

​Pikey.

 

[MicKPM]

Fixes most things (except this) lolz

 

[Mr R.]

I will be buying Supertec valves for my head.

Gutted for you matey but glad you've got it sorted.

 

[NSP777]

scott I have had similar oil consumption recently but not had it diagnosed yet! Any idea how many hours labour it is to replace the valve seals for a specialist?

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

This is why I don't want a 172/182 DCI's are bad enough when the valves get smashed to death

 

[hipwell]

scott I have had similar oil consumption recently but not had it diagnosed yet! Any idea how many hours labour it is to replace the valve seals for a specialist?

​quite a few id assume as the rocker cover needs to come off which means a new set of belt kits.

 

[Dr HMS Derv Destroyer]

Head has to come off too! Or your not going to get the valve springs compressed haha

 

[NSP777]

I get the feeling you've had to do this before from your car name. Would putting this problem off and carrying on oil burning cause more damage and maybe lead to failure like scotts or was that just unlucky?
So the work required would be like a full belt change cost plus a load more? £1000?

 

[scott.p]

I wouldn't have a clue how much a specialist would charge, its a bit of a how long is a bit of string question as until you start you don't know what your going to find, if your getting the kind of oil consumption I was then I would be contacting a few specialists, and see what they think. It's not going to be cheap though

 

[NSP777]

I had an oil change by Dan@519 and the car lasted 1100 miles before reaching the minimum mark on the dipstick. Since then I have topped up with a litre to near maximum mark but it is down to a 1/3 full after 400 miles so I expect to have use the litre in 5-600 miles. Evo SXR 5w40 oil btw.

 

[scott.p]

Yeah that's starting to get quite high consumption. I think by the end mine was burning about 1l for 400-500miles. First thing would be a compression check to determine if the rings are going.

 

[.GAZ.]

Glad my engine is serving you well, Scott!

​Gaz.

 

[scott.p]

It seems to be running very well gaz. Mike @ MWM seemed very pleased needed more fuel than my old engine did running the rs2 manifold so fingers crossed for good power when I manage to get it on the rolling road.
Hasn't burnt a drop of oil which comes as a massive relief!

 

[.GAZ.]

Superb mate! All credit to Cupman29, though. He fed it the best if fluids in his 10 years of ownership.