Engine cut out/lost power whilst driving

[jesus]

Hi folks, I'm currently broken down somewhere far from home and in a bit of a s**t situation.

I was accelerating at 50mph and all of a sudden the engine cut out, and the STOP and battery light came on. No other lights came on.

I'd lost the power steering and brake servo but managed to limp it to a safe place. The engine won't crank, I just get a clicking noise from the front and the interior lights go a bit dim. I'm not sure if there was smoke from the rear after it happened too.

The aux belt still looks to be in place, and the cambelt does (from what I can see). I've also noticed a load of oil in the sump tray and also behind the engine in the heatshield area for the exhaust manifold. I've tried to take a photo but obviously it's really dark and not very detailed.

I'm just looking for ideas really, or what to check, as it's just got me to London and back faultlessly and has shown no prior problems with the engine, it just seems to have s**t itself and gone off.

Thank you in advance.
Jamie

 

[jesus]

 

[clioben182]

Is there oil still in the engine? If so id be tempted to see if it will bump start, if you can!

 

[aucky]

Daft question, has a lead jumped off a battery terminal?

 

[Gus]

Just getting one click and the lights going a bit dim whilst you do it would point to the starter motor - Its possible one of the cables has dropped off it. Its behind the engine under the exhaust manifold - look below the middle 2 exhaust ports and see if you can see or feel any loose cables - there is one that is fixed to the starter with a nut which is probably fine , there is one which is just a spade connector which might have come loose. Also the starter motor may be seized.

Dont know why the engine cut out though but may not have anything to do with the oil leaks.

 

[bloke]

Main lead OK on the alternator?

 

[jesus]

Thanks for the responses so far guys.

I've checked the battery and alternator connections and they both seem ok. Is there a way of testing these with a multimeter or is that only possible with the engine running?

Also, the alternator seems to have a little bit of oil in one small area and I'm not sure if whatever is behind the plastic cover is broken or not. I've attatched a photo to try and show where abouts I mean.

I've had a good look down the back of the engine but I can't even see where the starter motor is! Or should I be looking from underneath the car?

Now it's daylight I have noticed some oil in places it shouldn't be. There is a small drip on the road now I've pushed the car forwards slightly but the undertray definitely doesn't look healthy. The oil level on the computer and the dipstick are both fine though...

 

[clioben182]

Need the engine running to check voltages from the alternator. Could try a jump lead from the negative terminal on the battery to the lifting eye on the engine, that will disprove or prove an earth strap issue.
Is it possible the engine was overful with oil and its just blown it out from a seal?

 

[jesus]

We managed to rock it in 4th gear and now it's trying to fire up, but making a god awful knocking noise.

 

[NorthloopCup]

No compression. That's either dropped a valve or the belts jumped a tooth/failed. It spins over way to easily. Or, the oils come from where it's thrown a leg out the bed.

 

[JamesBryan]

Fucked.

 

[flebay]

Time to take the inlet manifold off and have a look inside the head.

 

[jesus]

No compression. That's either dropped a valve or the belts jumped a tooth/failed. It spins over way to easily. Or, the oils come from where it's thrown a leg out the bed.

After trying to start it these few times I've noticed oil on the manifold at the bottom where it wasn't there before as though it may be coming out as we're trying to start it.

Also:



I know it certainly sounds fucked, but what would people do? Get it to a garage to be looked at, a specialist, or new engine time?

 

[NorthloopCup]

After trying to start it these few times I've noticed oil on the manifold at the bottom where it wasn't there before as though it may be coming out as we're trying to start it.

Also:



I know it certainly sounds fucked, but what would people do? Get it to a garage to be looked at, a specialist, or new engine time?

New engine time mate.

 

[jesus]

I'm thinking the same mate.

I took the inlets off and noticed there's oil in them. I also noticed a load of smashed up metal bits under the Renaultsport bit, what could that be?

 

[NorthloopCup]

I'm thinking the same mate.

I took the inlets off and noticed there's oil in them. I also noticed a load of smashed up metal bits under the Renaultsport bit, what could that be?

View attachment 163368 View attachment 163369 View attachment 163370 View attachment 163371

That's dropped a valve mate.

 

[Budgie]

Yep, say goodbye to that engine.

 

[Stay Puft]

Unlucky mate.

What could cause that, or just it came to its sad death?

 

[JamesBryan]

Have you still got the pops and bangs map on this Jamie, or did you switch back to the 98ron map now?

 

[jesus]

That pops and bangs thing lasted 4 days lol it was the shittest thing ever. I've been on the 98ron map pretty much since I got it.

It got me from Manchester to London and back via Essex too and just shat itself 10 minutes from my house on the way back. I was accelerating in 3rd from 50mph and it just cut off and that was it.

Thank you for all your help in this thread folks, at least I have some idea what I'm dealing with now.

Is an engine rebuild best or is it completely past that? Just thinking a second hand engine might have the same ending eventually. I want it to last a long time.

 

[JamesBryan]

If you're lucky and it's not smashed the head completely you could rebuild it and maybe chuck some better valves in while you're there.

 

[bloke]

Engine will be scrap. Can do you a good deal on one fitted :wink:

 

[JamesBryan]

Was gonna say, speak to @bloke