Bottom ends?

ste_bla · 25 Jan 2009 at 15:26

Basically mines gone. Normally whats easier;

a) Swap the block

b) Fix it

Gaijin · 25 Jan 2009 at 15:27

I'd say it would be easier to advise if we knew what car it is

James07 · 25 Jan 2009 at 15:27

Bottom ends? Is that anything to do with a lower arm?

ste_bla · 25 Jan 2009 at 15:29

Omegas

Basically going along suddenly lost power lots of bad noises. Now when engine idling the block shakes and makes a tudding noise (about twice a second) when adding any gas it gets a lot worse.

Lopéz · 25 Jan 2009 at 15:30

You can slip new shells in if you can get the sump off. It's fiddly but possible.

However this is normally a temporary fix as the crank will generally be in need of regrinding, so it might only last a few thousand miles.

Long term is either dismantle block and regrind crank or just swap for a known good used block/complete engine.

Lopéz · 25 Jan 2009 at 15:32

Like this:

ste_bla · 25 Jan 2009 at 15:37

To sort it out long term regrinding etc does that mean taking just bottom off or a full strip? If its a full strip take it it would be easier to do a swap (I currently have the same engine which I know is okay)

Also what would cause this kind of thing to happen as the previous owner had reams (£2k for 2 years!)b of bills (one example - oil changes every 6 months/4k miles) just wondering why it went as no obvious signs before hand!

Lopéz · 25 Jan 2009 at 15:39

ste_bla said:
To sort it out long term regrinding etc does that mean taking just bottom off or a full strip? If its a full strip take it it would be easier to do a swap (I currently have the same engine which I know is okay)

Depending on the design of the engine, you might be able to just take the crank out downwards leaving the pistons in situ, but it's still a lot of work. Of course, all this is no good if there's a bloody great crossmember running across the bottom of the sump as I suspect there may well be on an Omega.

If this is the case, it's engine out.

BigglesPiP · 25 Jan 2009 at 16:19

1st of all, stop running it, completely, revving it and listening to it idle was a mistake.

If you fix it, chances are you need a new crank, exchange part might be a good option if possible.

My brother (the one that crashes) just did an engine swap on his 1.8 Bravo because of this very reason. Only his was ceased, he'd been revving the nuts off it right after buying it from some lass.

http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z70/littlepip17/

ste_bla · 25 Jan 2009 at 16:23

BigglesPiP said:
1st of all, stop running it, completely, revving it and listening to it idle was a mistake.

If you fix it, chances are you need a new crank, exchange part might be a good option if possible.

My brother (the one that crashes) just did an engine swap on his 1.8 Bravo because of this very reason. Only his was ceased, he'd been revving the nuts off it right after buying it from some lass.

http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z70/littlepip17/

Looks easy with a massive garage

I only ran it to get it back, had no phone and were about 4 miles away from anywhere so coasted most of the way to minimise damage.

Lopéz said:
Depending on the design of the engine, you might be able to just take the crank out downwards leaving the pistons in situ, but it's still a lot of work. Of course, all this is no good if there's a bloody great crossmember running across the bottom of the sump as I suspect there may well be on an Omega.

If this is the case, it's engine out.

By cross member I take it you mean something along the lines of a ft wide thick metal thing that goes between the wheels. Which covers half of the bottom the engine

BigglesPiP · 25 Jan 2009 at 16:29

ste_bla said:
I only ran it to get it back, had no phone and were about 4 miles away from anywhere so coasted most of the way to minimise damage.

Still, that's the difference between maybe just new shells, or definitely a new crank. Avoid driving like so if at all possible is my advice.

Yea, the garage on hand is nice, most of the work I've done on the 146/Puntos has been in there, with father's snap-on tools. And helping him out with his Alfa (health and safety says no working alone).

Lopéz · 25 Jan 2009 at 16:45

ste_bla said:
By cross member I take it you mean something along the lines of a ft wide thick metal thing that goes between the wheels. Which covers half of the bottom the engine

Yep - if there is a crossmember (as there almost certainly will be as it's RWD) then you usually can't get the sump off so the engine has to come out to get access to the big ends and crank.

ste_bla · 25 Jan 2009 at 17:06

InvaderGIR · 25 Jan 2009 at 17:21

ste_bla said:
Looks easy with a massive garage

Don't need a massive one at all, just one that will take the car on stands...

The 306 fitted in that garage with about 1 meter space at the front and about a foot or so at the back, taking the engine out was fun because I had to put the engine on the crane, and haul the crane through some thick gravel out the front of the garage to clear the front of the car.

Dogbreath · 25 Jan 2009 at 17:54

If it's a 2.0L ecotec it would probably work out cheaper to get a good s/h engine to be honest.

ste_bla · 25 Jan 2009 at 18:14

Already got a 2nd engine. Basically crashed 1 omega (only body dmg) so was going to repair in better weather (wont ever be perfect but MOT'able) so got a 2nd one for £450 turns out good body wise (bar one door) but now engine dead. So I could just make 1 good one out of two and keep a load of spares off the 2nd one before scrapping the shell.

Just wondering how much did you guys pay for the crane as they seem a lot of money even for renting (£100 for a week at local independent)

Have no garage and currently only basic tools (mainly a halford prof tool kit) but do have hard standing for 2 cars off road.

Wicksta · 25 Jan 2009 at 18:23

You can buy a good enough crane for £100, my 1.5 tonne Sealey one was less than that. If you don't want to keep it then just sell it on afterwards.

InvaderGIR · 25 Jan 2009 at 18:42

The one I used was ~£150 I think, it's my brother's though, so no renting needed.

He's got all the tools I could need, and plenty I don't, which is great when I'm at home and need to work on a car.

When I move out properly though I aim to get a whole set of stuff myself, including engine crane and stand etc.

ineed2upgrade · 25 Jan 2009 at 18:58

With some engines you can change the main bearings without moving the crank,it's just a but fiddly and not sure your engine is one that it's possible on.if you only paid £450 for the car it's definately going to be cheaper to scrap it and get another one rather than rebuild or pay labour to have another engine unless you fit it yourself ofcourse.
I love the 'only drove it a few miles to get it back'.big mistake,never even start an engine you expect is damaged nevermind drive it.

ste_bla · 25 Jan 2009 at 19:30

ineed2upgrade said:
With some engines you can change the main bearings without moving the crank,it's just a but fiddly and not sure your engine is one that it's possible on.if you only paid £450 for the car it's definately going to be cheaper to scrap it and get another one rather than rebuild or pay labour to have another engine unless you fit it yourself ofcourse.
I love the 'only drove it a few miles to get it back'.big mistake,never even start an engine you expect is damaged nevermind drive it.

Will be DIYing it. Also with regards to the driving it well no offence you werent there. Let me put it like this which you choose out of;

a) Risk £450 car

b) Walk 4 miles down country lanes (no paths) with 2 3yr olds and a baby?