My car broke down, what could it possibly be?

craptakular · 23 May 2013 at 20:50

I have a Fiesta ST 2005, it has been fine since I bought it. Until today.

I started the car and it was "humming" a bit, I didn't think anything of it, then I get out of work and onto an A road and it starts blowing out bluish/grey smoke and stinks. I pull over and administer two litres of oil after checking my dip stick it was just above minimum.

This didn't seem to do much...

Could it be a broken oil pipe?

A broken cat?

or worn rings?

The engine didn't seem to loose power or anything.

MuvverRussia · 23 May 2013 at 20:56

Blue smoke means it's burning it somehow.

A quick Google suggests valve stem seals. I'd be inclined to think it's that or perhaps worn piston rings.

Best bet is to get it to reputable garage and be prepared for a largeish bill I think

craptakular · 23 May 2013 at 21:05

My Dad is coming down tomorrow as he is in "the trade" and bringing a mechanic with him, if all else fails I will have to phone RAC to tow it.

My Dad thinks the rings are worn or an oil valve/pipe is leaking.

Smoke appears to be coming out of the rear passanger side when I turned it off.

Biohazard · 23 May 2013 at 21:10

What's the mileage?

craptakular · 23 May 2013 at 21:14

Sonea Fifer · 23 May 2013 at 21:35

Op, Granted yours is the 2.0L Petrol (Sporting Trophy) - mine is the 1.6L TD ZS but just to give you an indication of the costs involved I recently had the valve stem seals done on mine (a common fault apparently) and it I was looking at a £600+ repair bill.

Matt82 · 23 May 2013 at 21:43

Jeez didn't realise they were so fragile

craptakular · 23 May 2013 at 21:51

Sonea Fifer said:
Op, Granted yours is the 2.0L Petrol (Sporting Trophy) - mine is the 1.6L TD ZS but just to give you an indication of the costs involved I recently had the valve stem seals done on mine (a common fault apparently) and it I was looking at a £600+ repair bill.

Yeh my Dad said it could be that much, hoping he and his mate can fix it cheap.

blueboy2001 · 23 May 2013 at 22:22

Valve stem seals and rings are usually something that deteriorate over time rather than suddenly failing.

Is the coolant OK? Sounds more like a head gasket to me.

rodenal · 23 May 2013 at 22:41

I wouldn't expect it to be the seals either as you'd notice it getting worse over time.

It could be the head gasket I guess but it's odd for it to be that bad and not losing power etc.

It may well be something far more innocent, be interested to hear what the problem turns out to be

Third Opinion · 23 May 2013 at 23:08

There has been some reports of heads cracking. If it cracks along an oil way that would explain sudden oil lose.

mgsdetail · 23 May 2013 at 23:26

Sound like head gasket to. Not a common thing to go on the Fiesta st but have seen a few fail it around 80-100k.

craptakular · 24 May 2013 at 11:56

Good news. My dad has driven down to look at it. Turns out both front springs have snapped and were rubbing on the tyres. I am now waiting for the RAC to arrive to tow me to Kwik fit.

Not to bad. I am releaved.

craptakular · 24 May 2013 at 11:56

Good news. My dad has driven down to look at it. Turns out both front springs have snapped and were rubbing on the tyres. I am now waiting for the RAC to arrive to tow me to Kwik fit.

Not to bad. I am releaved.

TaKeN · 24 May 2013 at 11:58

Kwik fit!? And how did you not feel that through the steering wheel?

paradigm · 24 May 2013 at 11:59

Doesn't explain the epic oil usage though?

rodenal · 24 May 2013 at 12:02

We don't know when he last checked it to be fair.

If the smell of burning rubber isn't distinguishable to him then he maybe isn't particularly mechanically minded and doesn't check the level often

Brookert · 24 May 2013 at 12:03

paradigm said:
Doesn't explain the epic oil usage though?

Unless the op checked the oil far too quickly after switching the engine off, meaning a fair chunk of oil is up in the block and not in the sump, and now the engine is massively overfilled?

4T5 · 24 May 2013 at 12:06

Think this thread should be Pinned as a Perfect example of what people are up against when diagnosing over the web.

Brookert · 24 May 2013 at 12:11

4T5 said:
Think this thread should be Pinned as a Perfect example of what people are up against when diagnosing over the web.

Indeed

Blue smoke + lots of oil gone = 2 broken springs