Sticking oil ring

Emma867

Hello again

Maybe I should of asked this before I posted my thread about car leasing but anywhoo:

My 10yr old Megane has been diagnosed as having a sticking oil ring. It chuggs like hell and has been drinking oil.

Mechanic simply said it's an engine job and 'not worth it'

Is it worth getting a 2nd opinion from another garage or am I wasting my time?

forgotmyname

What do you value the car at? And realistically what is it really worth?

If its a last resort before selling for spares or scrapping it then some fuel cleaners or solvents poured down
the sparkplug/injector/glowplug hole may help dissolve any gummed up oil.

Just make sure you get it all out before refitting the plug etc...

And change the oil and filter, Those solvents wont be good for the engine.

Ive filled a seized up engine with diesel which worked, Lovely and clean after. And i do mean filled about 3 gallons.

All that gummed up oil in the rocker cover washed away, 3 gallons of diesel these days might be more than the cars worth.

2nd hand engine is an option but beware when buying. Manufacturers change stuff on what seems like a weekly basis.
Ive had cars that were built within weeks of each other and linkages and sensors were different.

Emma867

Well put it this way, I paid £2000 for it just short of 18mnths ago which was the going rate. It had 51k on the clock when I purchased it and I've added an additional 10k. It has had problems (coil change, getting through spark plugs, drinking oil) pretty much since I had it but in the last couple of days it has been mis-firing and chugging.

What it's worth now I have no idea.

goosander

Whilst a sticky oil control ring could account for the high oil consumption, I'm not sure that it would cause the other problems on its own. The car hasn't done a high enough mileage to wear out the piston rings, so it may well be the case that one or more rings have broken up and scored the cylinders. Stripping the engine would cost more than the car is worth, as would fitting a 2nd hand engine unless you can DIY and the car is otherwise very good for its age.

It may be worth spending £10 on Redex to try and free the stuck ring (if thats all thats wrong), but beyond that I'd suggest getting rid (eBay).

Emma867

I've just picked up my keys and the mechanic pretty much said the same thing as you guys above. Fingers crossed the oil additive works, at £10 its worth a shot.

Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted.

forgotmyname

What you really need is to pour the solvent into the problem cylinder, But make sure its out before refitting the
sparkplugs or the engine will hydraulic, (lock/seize) due to not being able to compress the liquid. Which could
bend the roads etc.

Would be worthless after that.

Emma867

I'm back!

Well, the redex seems to have done the trick - the car seeeeems (I'm skeptical at all times) to be ok but I've only tried a few local runs. Not sure if I trust it for longer distances.

Now I'm in two minds. Do I keep it or do I flog it on ebay? How much would I realistically get if I sold it?

colino

I think you already know the answer. Get shot of it while it still goes!

rodenal

Get shot whilst you can. 10 year old megane will be worth about 600 quid

Emma867

Just as I thought.

Will get it on ebay. Typical, got 12mnths MOT and 6mnths tax too.