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Oh dear, that's not supposed to happen


SPendrey

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Well, today could have been a much better day... first I try to tax the wife's car only to find the MOT expired 6 months ago! So, off to get that done. That meant Mrs P gets to drive her sister and kids to Bath for the day. All good so far, family car passes MOT etc. etc.

However, I get a call from Mrs P saying she's broken down on her way back, and there was a loud bang, and lots of smoke. Hmmm, I did have a problem just last week with the alternator pulley coming lose, perhaps that's gone again and taken the aux belt out causing smoke from burning rubber?

Nope, she later described that she thought she was driving over a cattle grid. That would have been the larger bits of the engine block under the back wheels :-(

I didn't get those bits, they're on the M4 somewhere right now... but I did get these bits, which I don't recognise.

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post-11857-0-53568100-1405457150_thumb.jpg

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Not really.

It has (for the 6 years I've owned it) always had a slight rumble, more-so when cold. It also got hyrolocked once, although nothing seemed to have been damaged and it's ran for 3 years since! Probably a combination of these two things I'd guess?

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when was the last time you checked the oil level? maybe the pump got weaker and weaker and obviously couldnt keep up with the high rpm workout.

i suppose you asked her wether the oil pressure light came on? did she reply what light?

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TBF Mikey £300-ish notes is cheaper than risking the fallout from asking about a light on the dash ;)

That's true!

Oil level was good, I checked the weekend before due to a trip over to Wales. I also drained over 6 litres out this weekend in preparation for whatever I do next... so there must have been enough. Can't speak for a pressure warning light... I don't think she'd have noticed.

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Seen that type of failure a few times on other cars. Con Rod Failure, they snap and jam against the side of the block blasting a hole straight through it. Hydrolocking could have something to do with it, can generate a micro-fracture which can take years to propagate and can be totally dependant on engine speed, oil temperature and load.

Sorry to see it, sucks!

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The rumble was probably from having a bent rod in the first place, which has finally progressed to this failure. Hydraulicing an engine is a serious issue that needs proper investigation. It'll need new rockers and push rods, but as often as not needs new con rods too. This is what happens if the parts are not replaced. At least the failure occurred in a way that didn't cause an accident and Mrs P is OK.

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