Engine probs - I'm Being Punished!

[J-T]

I've just spent aaaalll day cleaning my 2, as by tonight i intended to have it on ebay. well, it definitely has other plans!!

Basically, i took it round the block to take some pictures of it. however, during the drive, i noticed a slight rattle under acceleration. This rattle got progressively louder over the space of around a minute, then the car lost power and felt as if it was running on 3 cylinders. I managed to limp it home, at which point it was struggling to stay running - it kept cutting out if it dropped near idle speed. This is the state it's in now - it will start and run (very lumpily) but there is this horrible sounding metallic rattle under throttle. I checked the oil when i got home to see if there was any water in there. I couldn't see any, but it was very low on the dipstick (right at the bottom, don't know how as it was fine last time i checked it, so topped it up again). so i checked the water to see if i could see oil in it, but again i couldnt. the pressure guage is showing normal pressure at idle and the oil warning light never came on.

if anyone has any ideas, id love to hear them. but it sounds pretty terminal to me. I've drove it about 20 miles previous to this trip today and it drove completely normally

[ligertigon]

When you say you spent hours cleaning it.

Did water get into the engine? in particular down by the spark plugs?

Remove the plug leads and inspect for moisture and dry out wit paper towels etc.
Hope this is all it is for you!

[J-T]

no, checked for that, as ive had that before

[un1eash]

You checked for fault codes? Also i'd check the dizzy cap and arm.

[Michel]

Does it sound like this ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNMAUFRbszU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USvb1nx8r90
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTSEuO7jvl4

[J-T]

You checked for fault codes? Also i'd check the dizzy cap and arm.

what should i be looking for?

Does it sound like this ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNMAUFRbszU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USvb1nx8r90
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTSEuO7jvl4

It doesn't rattle on idle, like those engines do. however, when u apply throttle it sounds similar(ish) to the last one, altho not as bad

[Bazzbiggles]

I have a knock but it only occurs when the engine is hot after a fast run. Under normal traffic driving the engine is quiet. I took videos and put them on youtube. Check out comments on “Loud tapping noise from induction system” on page 2 of this forum. I still don’t know what’s causing it but I’ll be dropping the engine soon to check it out. I’m thinking little end failure probable cause.

[crazylegs]

have a look at the vacuum pipes especially the one that goes around the inlet manifold. check the metal pipes for any cracks. this would make it run just like you say, not sure about the rattle with out hearing it..

[Michel]

Sounds like one of the small end bearings has died a.k.a. rod knock.

Can't you make a vid of it and upload it somewhere ? Would be a lot easier.

[mr2mk1chick]

sorry dude, but it could be your big ends if there was very little oil in there.
Esp as this would be more apparent on startup, plus will give a loss of power, and as they get worse the car will sound 3 cylinder in my exp

If it was just water on somehing i would just expect a jumpy 3 cylinder type of prob, popping a bit or something

[J-T]

well, whatever it was, it's f****d, (and i am quoting my local friendly mechanic!). It is dead, has ceased to be etc etc.

So now im left with the decision of what to do with the thing. I can't fit an engine, i'd have to pay to get it done. does anyone have a rough idea what the labour cost of that would be?

or, i can just stick it on ebay and see what i can get for it as is. i cant actually believe this has happened. ive had it since november and never had any kind of engine problem. ive literally last week had a rear caliper replaced to give it 12 months MOT. then, on the very day i spend 6 hours t-cutting it to sell it, it dies!!!

what do ppl think i should do? Here's the car in question...

[Michel]

Looks like a very nice aw11. Why not keep it ? It obviously doesn't want to be sold anyway. You could rebuild the current engine but in my opinion it's not worth the money. On the other hand.. if you buy a different engine you dunno for how long that one is gonna last..