Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[John-R]

Hi.
Just looking for some advice for my 2.6 V6 2003 54,000miles

Last night, travelling down M6 with caravan in tow. Oil light flashes slowly then comes on. Sign says services 7 miles. Oil was checked last week and all ok.

After a mile I hear a light tapping noise - just about to pull onto hard shoulder, when I hear a very loud knocking.

Breakdown comes oil level good. Says it could be cylinder head gasket, but when he turns the engine over, he sucks his teeth and mentions "bottom ends" and "con rods".

Anyone any experience of this? Is this serious? Am I looking at a new engine or (hopefully) some work on existing.

I'm not a practical mechanic, so I'd be looking for the work to be done by a garage or very competent person. Anyone know a  place in the Liverpool or North West? Likely costs?

Thanks in advance.
John-R

[Martin_1962]

Sounds like it has ran the big ends

But why has the pressure dropped?

[alank46]

Hi
There's another thread on here about the same thing.  Chap found that the oil strainer in the sump was blocked.  Has the car had regular oil changes?
Alan

[CaptainZok]

Has the car had an engine flush recently?

[charlie]

I ve seen alot of 2.6s for sale with oil pressure problems??

[John-R]

Thanks so far guys.

I think the suspicion was that the oil pump packed in, hence the warning light.

Last oil change about 10,000 ago, I guess the recommendation on here is more frequent???

As far as I know it hasn't had an engine flush.

I bought it 1 year ago at 46,000 with a full service history.

There's no leaking and no physical sign of damage to the engine. If it is big ends what is the prognosis for repair? any ideas on cost?

John

[Martin_1962]

Depends if any journal damage

I'd start by getting the sump off and seeing what is what.

Minimum new big end shells and oil pump, maximum new engine

[John-R]

Thanks for the advice.
As I mentioned, I'm no mechanic - tyres, batteries, brakes I'm OK, theory only on everything else.
I'll have to find a local garage I can trust. . . .and sell the family silver !!

Cheers
John

[TheBoy]

Just to clarify, you drove for a mile with the oil light on


The tapping noise is probably the oil draining from the lifters, but who knows what other damage has been done (or excessively worn)

[Darth Loo-knee]

I would take a guess at the oil pick up pipe being full of crud through poor oil changes.
10,000 mile intervals is a bit much.
I had one here that the oil pick up pipe was full of crud, then siezed the engine. . Big ends welded to the crank.

Hope it isn't mate but i wouldn't hold your breath 

[Martin_1962]

Why are 2.6s so prone to this?

[Broomies Mate]

Why are 2.6s so prone to this?

I'm guessing they arent.  Oil pick-up is the same throughout the V6 range, isn't it?  If I am right (which is unlikely LOL) then it's just a few unlucky 2.6 owners.

Really, these V6 motors, if not sat at 80MPH all day long, need an oil change every 4k.  When I did a huge amount of motorway miles, I was happy to change oil and filter every 8-10k.

[2woody]

I think if anything, the oiling system on the V6 is its weakest feature.

I currently have 6 V6 Omegas and I'd sav that only one of them isn't in the early stages of big-end trouble. this is probably due to the high "normal" coolant temperature.

regarding this particular engine - it isn't even worth taking the sump off - it will need at least a crank re-grind and possiby a number of con-rods replacing - expect a four-figure sum to fix the engine properly. Much better option to go for a.n. other lump, even for a couple of hundred quid.

mind you, you could go for a 3.2 at the same time

sorry it's bad news - I'm not normally that negative

[omegod]

is it not in any way possible to fit a 2.5 engine or bottom end ? I know the 2.6 is FBW throttle but 2.5s are so much easier to get hold of than 2.6s.

TBH I saw a 2.6 at the auctions a few weeks ago with a shagged bottom end and suspect they are more prone to failiure for some reason.

[Andy B]

is it not in any way possible to fit a 2.5 engine or bottom end ? I know the 2.6 is FBW throttle but 2.5s are so much easier to get hold of than 2.6s.  ....

the top of a 2.6 has been succesfully mated to the bottom half of a 3.0