Should I replace the engine?

babaUK

Was offered a 1.8 petrol Citroen C5 auto 51 plate by an old friend for free as I was looking for a car. The car was ok for a month but it has started making a funny squeeky sound. There's oil leaking in the engine. The body work is in mint condition and engine has 140000 miles on clock. As it was a free 'gift' it has been sugested to me that I should replace the engine. As I am not well clued on cars I would appriciate all your views on whether it is worthwhile to replace the engine or may just move the car on. If so what are the likely labour costs etc. I

Lum

I'd get it checked out first if I were you. It could just need some seals replacing or something simple like that. 140,000 miles is fine on a modern engine.

missile

AA /RAC check could be a worthwhile investment.

Squeeky sound could be nothing more serious than a worn fan belt.

pendulum

Facepalm at replacing the engine without knowing what the problem is...
How much oil is leaking?
Can you just see it over the engine (Seepage) or is it going on the floor?
How much oil has it used between now and when you got it (if any)

babaUK

Thank you for all responses so far. @ Pendulum the oil is on the engine at the top. the engine cover is all soaked. Where i park over night it drips onto the ground. the warning on the computer says "oil pressure insufficient". have not changed the oil as the dipstick shows sufficient oil.

pendulum

You should not even be turning it on anymore if it's saying oil pressure insufficient - that is serious.

babaUK

what could be the trigger for the warning? i would not want to sink money into bottomless pit.

TrickyWicky

Might be the oil pump has given up the ghost. If it has that can cause the engine to run dry causing all sorts of loud screaming sounds (had it happen myself - car did 100 miles like it and next morning couldn't even crawl up the hill in 2nd it was so weak).

Get someone to look at it before deciding what to do with it. If its a good condition car then it's worth trying to keep on the road as you're unlikely to get another free car. Replacing an enging however is pretty much a last resort. Engines aren't easy to remove and reinstall - it's a lot of hard work. It's ok on a hobby car or your pride and joy - you'll do anything for those sort of cars but for the average run around car that you don't care much for it is a lot of hassle.

mikey72

If all the oil is leaking out, are you putting more in?

shane-23

i have a engine fault on my other car, a describable knock,

i called a mobile mechanic and will be at my house with a 100% definate answer or no need to pay- come with written confimation aswell as if they wrong u get a refund - happy days

cost £35 and its 24 hour 7 days a week

worth a try

if helpful plz thank me???

s_b

take the car to an independent garage locally with a good reputation that doesnt push engine flushes down your throat and ask them for a ballpark figure to sort the oil leak and belt replacement
go away and mull it over
the make mileage and age of car makes it not worth having another engine fitted