Bin the engine?

1. user_49404 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2010 Mid Wales Posts: 604 03 vtr

   #1 24th August 2011, 14:54

   Just got my timing belt kit/water pump changed by a bloke the old man works with (he goes mechanics in his spare time). The saxo I've got is a 1.1 '97 with 130k on the clock. He seemed to think the engine needed binning and a new one slapped in. His reasoning was due to a less than perfect pur on the engine (tappets do need doing to be fair) and slight oil consumption.
   
   So, out came the compression test kit! Here's the results on a warmish engine:
   
   pot 1 - 9.5bar
   
   pot 2 - 8 bar (took 3 strokes) added a teaspoon of oil and with 3 strokes up to 10.5bar
   
   pot 3 - 11 bar
   
   pot 4 - 12 bar
   
   
   So what to do? Bin the engine? Keep the engine and leave it be? Recon it? Not sure how trustworthy this chap is...and I know you lot are amazing!
2. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #2 24th August 2011, 16:23

   Sounds like that guys a bit of an idiot to me. If it runs OK but is burning a little oil then so what? Its not worth the expense of new rings and stem seals on a 1.1 in my view. Better off putting in a reconditioned larger cc unit, just buying a faster model from the jump, or getting a low miler as afterall your gearbox and all the drivetrain components have done 130k as well

   1 user thanked this post: user_49404
3. user_49404 Frequent Poster Joined: Dec 2010 Mid Wales Posts: 604 03 vtr

   #3 24th August 2011, 16:29

   thanks for your advice. Was a bit of a shock, thought the car was in good nick and then he goes and rips into it like that, somewhat upsetting! On a side note, the tappets do need adjusting, would that change the compression test figures at all?
4. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #4 24th August 2011, 16:41

   If your valves aren't closing the right amount or for the right amount of time then yes it would
5. sebo123 Established Member Joined: Oct 2008 Bideford Posts: 1599 Saxo Furio

   #5 24th August 2011, 17:25

   i picked up a mint vtr lump with 60k for 40 quid!
6. blackie_2k5 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B

   #6 24th August 2011, 18:05

   tbh with that amount of miles on it, it would have been cheaper and more sensible to replace rather then belt etc
   
   but since youve done it you a aswell run it, little bit of oil usage wont harm you so long as H/G isnt fuckd and you keep it topped up
7. kane_15023 Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2010 newport Posts: 173 Bmw M3, off-road vitara Mini Cooper s

   #7 24th August 2011, 18:58

   valve guide seals if its buring oil so long as its all running fine keep it going save money