Is my car dead?

[jam.]

I think so.

Yesterday, on the motorway (M60) I suddenly heard a whirring noise that got loud pretty quickly. I then couldn't change gear and lost all drive, so coasted to the hard-shoulder with my hazards on. Fun.

After finding out I was in the RAC without even knowing it (through my bank), they turned up within 15 mins - bloke had a look and said the engine's more or less buggered after hearing it try and start up. It sounded similar to if the battery was dead - but it wasn't; he jump started it.

I got it towed home (by the first class RAC bloke by the way, properly nice bloke - I've heard reports of them being spot on before and thought nothing of it) - and then left it for a few hours while I figured out what to do with it. After realising it looked a bit abandoned, I attempted to move it; put the keys in (only to undo the steering lock), but went to far and it started first time. Sounds a bit croaky, but I could drive 2 meters with it. Although, I admittedly probably shouldn't have.

Belts? To my knowledge they haven't been done (ah ha!) - but on my last service, I asked the guys at the garage to have a look, and they were convinced that they were in good nick. Maybe I should have got that in writing..


I'm guessing it'd be totally uneconomical to go through the new engine/repair route seeing as its only a mk2 ph1 s - looks like it's new car time..

 

[Cupman29]

Bit premature going for a new car when you dont actually know what's wrong with it. I'd find that out first then explore your options.

If it started it cant be a belt or pully failure so might not be as serious as you think.

 

[Andyman]

Have you never read on this forum how important it is to have your belts done by age or mileage not through just ''looking'' ?!?!?!

Get the car to a decent garage for a start and brush up on how to look after your car

 

[jam.]

I know, I know..

 

[Andyman]

LOL

Worth getting it checked out but just don't go back to a place who only looks at things haha

Sure Birchdown is pretty near you? Decent specialist

 

[James23]

As said though as it's started I wouldnt have thought it will be *that* bad. Get it checked out by one of the specialists on here. Get it recovered to there though!

 

[hobnob48]

Not being able to change gear and no drive, sounds more like a gearbox issue to me. Just a thought though

Oh and maybe it sounded like the battery was dead as the battery was dead? If it jump started I cant see how the engine is dead still

 

[jam.]

LOL

Worth getting it checked out but just don't go back to a place who only looks at things haha

Sure Birchdown is pretty near you? Decent specialist

Nah, I specifically mentioned to check whether they thought the belts needed doing; they didn't think they did. My bad, nothing to do with them tbh.

I am contacting Birchdown, but it probably isn't worth the cost in all honesty; they're about an hour and a half's drive from me - and it's just a standard mk2 ph1 s.

Not being able to change gear and no drive, sounds more like a gearbox issue to me. Just a thought though

Oh and maybe it sounded like the battery was dead as the battery was dead? If it jump started I cant see how the engine is dead still

Thats exactly what I thought the instant I had nothing in the middle of the motorway when I tried to change gear.
It sounded like a dead battery at the side of the motorway when I tried to restart it. The RAC bloke had a battery thing that he jump started it with and it made no difference.
Only when I got home later, and tried to move it a bit, that it started up - albeit with a bit of whirring under the bonnet; and could select gears just like normal. I tried it again this morning, and it seems to start up fine now without any noise, but I'm not driving it anywhere.

 

[jam.]

I was going to go about getting this sorted today; but have been struck with a severe bout of can't be arsed.

I've left a message with Birchdown, and reluctantly, a few local 'mobile mechanics' just to get a second opinion - but none have got back to me. Which is nice.
I even asked the little garage at the end of my road if they could have a look over it - and they're "too busy mate.." Nice, again.


Anyway, here's a thrilling video of it now..

f**king thing.

 

[Chapster5]

Sounds like mine mate,

Mine made that like rattling noise the other day when it started, not as loud still same noise. I just kept driving from what I can hear now it's gone away

Nick

 

[The Fatty]

has it got oil? Mine did this when the oil pick up pipe broke off. when the engine cooled down it would start and sounded just like that...

 

[jam.]

It has oil yes, at least its reading a healthy level on the dipstick..

 

[The Fatty]

check to see if there is any oil near the top end, as the dipstick would read ok even if ther pickup pipe was broken/blocked

 

[Andyman]

See if your breakdown cover entitles you to get towed to a garage of your choice.

Sounds like its spun a shell

 

[jam.]

Bent con rod/s apparently.

Bye clilol.

 

[James23]

Ouch. Wonder why It bent a rod tho? Thought the rods were good for decent power levels (ITB people often use standard rods)

 

[DannyR]

Lol at checking the belt condition!

Belts will last for years, it's the tensioners which will fail.

 

[Bluebeard]

Ouch. Wonder why It bent a rod tho? Thought the rods were good for decent power levels (ITB people often use standard rods)

I'm not aware of anyone ITB'ing a 1.2/1.4 clio? :S

 

[Tony Hunter]

Fk you.

 

[The Fatty]

Wouldnt have thought a 1.2 clio would have bent its rods, they are pretty strong (at least the ones I stripted form my 8v were)! is it just 1 that gone? wouldnt be that hard to replace if no othe damage...

 

[jam.]

It's a 1.4, ones bent another looks very poor. A repair would be an engine job out, would it not? Also said clutch would need replacing. Not worth the effort & cost; so it's being binned.

 

[The Fatty]

no engine can stay in... just sump off, head off job. days work at most.