Loads of horrid white smoke came out of my Corsa

PsiDOC

Thanks for that.
Ah. That is a head gasket at the minimum. I know a lot of ecotec petrol engines that have let the head gasket go, to the point my local motor factors keep 4 in stock and new head bolts for each. It's a common problem with running them low on coolant. I know the temp guague didn't show abnormal temp readings because there wasn't any water around it to read. It was reading hot water vapour. The Mayonnaise is an emulsified oil / water mix so water has gotten into the engine somewhere.
If you're lucky the head gasket is your only problem. The aluminium cylinder head can crack with low water over heating. As the previous post has said.
Keep your fingers crossed it's not the head.

Psi

PS: When was the last time you checked the coolant level?

thatgirlsam

PsiDOC wrote: »

Thanks for that.
Ah. That is a head gasket at the minimum. I know a lot of ecotec petrol engines that have let the head gasket go, to the point my local motor factors keep 4 in stock and new head bolts for each. It's a common problem with running them low on coolant. I know the temp guague didn't show abnormal temp readings because there wasn't any water around it to read. It was reading hot water vapour. The Mayonnaise is an emulsified oil / water mix so water has gotten into the engine somewhere.
If you're lucky the head gasket is your only problem. The aluminium cylinder head can crack with low water over heating. As the previous post has said.
Keep your fingers crossed it's not the head.

Psi

PS: When was the last time you checked the coolant level?

I have everything crossed..

I checked the coolant level in it at the end of the summer :(

I could cry, I feel so stupid , do you think its 'terminal' too?

PsiDOC

Nothing is terminal as spares are readily available.
You just have to decide which way to leap when you know the full extent of the damage. If it's at a family friend's garage for diagnosis then you should get an honest opinon and a decent cost to fix.
So keep everything crossed till then.

Psi

PS: Don't cry about it. I know it could be an expensive lesson however weekly check of your coolant, oil and top up your windscreen washers takes 5 mins and I am sure you'll do them now and your car will appreciate it too.

thatgirlsam

PsiDOC wrote: »

Nothing is terminal as spares are readily available.
You just have to decide which way to leap when you know the full extent of the damage. If it's at a family friend's garage for diagnosis then you should get an honest opinon and a decent cost to fix.
So keep everything crossed till then.

Psi

PS: Don't cry about it. I know it could be an expensive lesson however weekly check of your coolant, oil and top up your windscreen washers takes 5 mins and I am sure you'll do them now and your car will appreciate it too.

Thanks for that

I just hope its not going to be really silly money as with a 4 year old car it would be surely worth fixing? In your opinion, at what price does it become 'not worth it' ?

anewman

Well worst case scenario is needing to swap out the engine, most cost effective way would be with a used one if possible.

The value of repairing depends on what you want to do with it. IMO it would only be worth not getting repaired if it would sell for more without the repair than the difference of the added cost of repair, which is unlikely.

mikey72

To be fair, it could have been full of coolant, then the head went, and squirted it all out of the exhaust in the space of a few minutes.
I check my coolant whenever I fill the windscreen washer, but only because the expansion tank is transparent, and you can see it if you kick the bumper. Otherwise it's probably once or twice a year.

thatgirlsam

anewman wrote: »

Well worst case scenario is needing to swap out the engine, most cost effective way would be with a used one if possible.

The value of repairing depends on what you want to do with it. IMO it would only be worth not getting repaired if it would sell for more without the repair than the difference of the added cost of repair, which is unlikely.

it wouldn't sell for more than the cost of the repair would it..

its only a corsa

thanks though, that has helped me a lot

anewman

Probably didn't explain too well...

Say for example...

Car without repair would sell for £2000
Repair costs £800

If car in repaired state would sell for £2600 may as well get rid if you're tempted to go for another car, although it's worthwhile bearing in mind that £800 may be better than risking buying a lemon
If car in repaired state would sell for £3000 may as well repair

PsiDOC

That's not for me to decide to be honest. Do your homework and see what the value of the car is now with the mileage on it, then decide what it's worth to you which is more important.
Worst case scenario: A complete engine can be got for £900 see here: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-VAUXHALL-CORSA-TWINPORT-1-4-BREAKING-ENGINE-Z14XEP-/260700416318?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cb2f4a93e

Fitting is about a day and a half old one out, new one in.

Psi

thatgirlsam

anewman wrote: »

Probably didn't explain too well...

Say for example...

Car without repair would sell for £2000
Repair costs £800

If car in repaired state would sell for £2600 may as well get rid if you're tempted to go for another car, although it's worthwhile bearing in mind that £800 may be better than risking buying a lemon
If car in repaired state would sell for £3000 may as well repair

no you did explain well, i didn't say what i meant

i need to find out what its going to cost first