Any Advice Car Broken Down

Money_Doctor

Hi All

My Situation is this, overfilled my 5 year old Vauxhall turbo diesel with Oil last week so I believe although might be a co-incidence led to the following- drove for about 4 miles filled up with fuel and didnt drive at more than 50mph without any problems, then out on to the Motorway car got to 70mph suddenly didnt want to go any faster and funny whiring noise from accelerator/engine and thick smoke coming out of the exhaust, pulled over - no more smoke so carried on, assumed just over filled with oil and would burn off, 200 yards down the road thick white heavy smoke started to come out of the bonnet so much so it coverd the road so had to pull over, smoke proceeded to come out for 3-4 minutes I would say and also loss of water from the radiator - been told car was possibly running on its own oil, engine reving e.tc. now car wont start and so towed home by AA. Have had a diagnostic tool put on car and two fuel injectors suggested but problem is not sure what other damage has been done of course.

I am tempted now to try and sell the car for whatever somebody prepared to pay for it- idea that anybody mechanically minded might try to get the car back on the road as a project at a keen price.

Any other options open? Loathe to spend money 1- for the problems to be diagnosed if they can be 2- then for some labour then parts only to find further work might then required and then even further work and then possibly have a car prone to further breakdown in the future.

Inclination to cut losses at this point in time.

Any other suggestions Appreciated?

Thanks in advance

s_b

if you were lucky only the turbo gone
i doubt it because you overfilled the engine of oil and as you say it started running on it
its highly likely your whole engine is scrap now think smashed valves broken head for starters

please read the handbook in your next car

Money_Doctor

I say overfilled, Filled in a hurry without checking dipstick would say put 2l of oil in 2.5l max no more

Money_Doctor

I notice that there are some firms around who offer to put in a new re-conditioned engine in for approx £1,200 would this be a guaranteed fix all problems and worth considering?

vikingaero

Money_Doctor wrote: »

I say overfilled, Filled in a hurry without checking dipstick would say put 2l of oil in 2.5l max no more

If you didn't check the dipstick how do you know it needed oil? The oil level may have been at the High mark on the dipstick meaning you put in over 50% more (depending on engine oil capacity) oil than necessary.

s_b

Money_Doctor wrote: »

I notice that there are some firms around who offer to put in a new re-conditioned engine in for approx £1,200 would this be a guaranteed fix all problems and worth considering?

you wont get reconditioned
it will be out of a write off
nothing wrong with that but you need to be 100% aware that the market for taking peoples motors off them and guaranteeing to give it back as good as new for what was originally a reasonable price is vast
if you want my advice take it to a recommended local garage ask their opinion and possibly a part strip down to confirm damage
you can then decide if you wish to purchase a s/h lump or get them to possibly recondition yours
neither option will be cheap and this 1.7 engine i assume is pretty common for being unreliable once it get a mileage on it
or sell as broked as you suggest

never ever put oil in an engine with out using the dip stick (i wonder where it got its name from;):) )

Money_Doctor

vikingaero wrote: »

If you didn't check the dipstick how do you know it needed oil? The oil level may have been at the High mark on the dipstick meaning you put in over 50% more (depending on engine oil capacity) oil than necessary.

Thanks - not sure of the maximum oil capacity of ordinary cars

Money_Doctor

s_b wrote: »

you wont get reconditioned
it will be out of a write off
nothing wrong with that but you need to be 100% aware that the market for taking peoples motors off them and guaranteeing to give it back as good as new for what was originally a reasonable price is vast
if you want my advice take it to a recommended local garage ask their opinion and possibly a part strip down to confirm damage
you can then decide if you wish to purchase a s/h lump or get them to possibly recondition yours
neither option will be cheap and this 1.7 engine i assume is pretty common for being unreliable once it get a mileage on it
or sell as broked as you suggest

never ever put oil in an engine with out using the dip stick (i wonder where it got its name from;):) )

Thanks again - yes you correct 1.7cdti - 77k miles on the clock

Money_Doctor

Any ideas what it might fetch broked? Assume what somebody willing to pay I assume

s_b

Best price probably attained at copart as they sell on the internet in auction, dont give a description just put non runner, they might collect too (check all prices before committing)
of course ebay or local garage might want to buy it
sorry no idea of value

Hammyman

Money_Doctor wrote: »

I say overfilled, Filled in a hurry without checking dipstick would say put 2l of oil in 2.5l max no more

You've blown the engine. If the oil was nearly full and you put in 2.5 litres, the pistons on the downstroke were trying to force themselves into the oil which shouldn't be there. Easy to do at low engine speeds but not higher.

I would expect at the very minimum to have bent con-rods. but possibly the crankshaft as well.

You would have to buy a recon engine outright as you don't have one suitable for reconditioning to exchange.