See, angle grinder job.Need to drop the subframe on drivers side so enough room to get it over the oil pump.
Had engine jacked up on the box, and subframe off when i done the pikey freshen up. Was losing the will to live taking the sump off. Felt like ringing the scrap man to drag it awaySee, angle grinder job.
I don't think your issue will be in the sump. More likely you have timed up cams wrongly or they have slipped so it's a valve hitting a piston.Yes thanks for all your comments.I did not want to dismantle steering , suspension , subframe just to get a sump off as per the Haynes man..This all came about after i renewed the timing belt, oilseal, waterpump, after which you need to spin the engine over to check belt & pulleys are still positioned, but i could only rotate engine 15mins on a clockface.It has jammed up so need to take sump off to check what has happened.