cost of new piston/oil rings

[saucy_begger]

is that 100% ?

the guy doesn't even know. its just bit worrying cos he hasn't tested it properly. just ran it he says and left it running for 45 minutes. said it was running good. cant prove the mileage is genuine ether. its a bit risky cos like you say depends who owned it. he didn't have a lot to say when i called him. do you think the rev counter will work if i dropped it in my cav. its not in bad condition and the head has never been removed you can tell from the bolts. i think it was like you say, its a newer c18nz so would be made better n thicker block to from what ive read.

[Cavalier342]

To be honest mate, from what it looks like to me, it's 100% identical to my C18NZ block. So I'm going by that. If the guy doesn't know what he's talking about then he is a muppet, but they are simple enough engines to strip down and do work on while you have the time.

Regarding the rev counter, it should work, as C18NZ models come with one anyway.

[saucy_begger]

haha it looks identical to my c18nz too apart from the spark plug tubes. to be honest i called the guy up with a list of about ten simple things i need to know and he could only answer 4 at the most. i asked what engine model, about the mileage and how was it idling. that kind of stuff and he was struggling to tell me almost like he was like sh*t he knows his stuff. he just said i know nothing about the engine but what is in the list and that it was running good before he removed it and he had to go because the phone is ringing and if i want to buy it call him to arrange where to send it? i thought do you actually want to sell this engine mate.

[Cavalier342]

numpty mate, you may as well look somewhere where the engine is still in the car and be there to test it, otherwise you don't really know what you're getting for you money...

If it was me I'd ask the bloke to hand the phone over to someone who knows about Vauxhall engines... At least you might get somewhere then.

If he's on the dog and bone with you, then why the hell would he jump to another phone while talking with a potential customer? Fecking idiot mate by the sounds of it...

[btcctroy]

There won't be many places where the engine will be given chance to be tested. The cavalier is nearly 20 years old to its youngest and most of the original engines will be reaching the point of requiring a rebuild. Engines are built to last so many hours at peak torque and I'm guessing this will be based on 60000 but could be a mere 10000 hours. Which is a year if the engine was running constantly at 4500, this is a guess it might be more. The best way to determine the running condition of an engine not heard running is to check spark plugs. Any traces of oil it will be pointless buying

[Cavalier342]

What I meant by testing is seeing it in the donor car before it gets taken out. So that he can start it from cold to check for smoke, or leaks etc.

[btcctroy]

What Vauxhall engine doesn't leak oil

[Cavalier342]

My old 18SV never leaked a drop other than the cam cover gasket.

[Envoy CDX]

that place is 20 minutes from me. Though I have no dealings with them.
That engine would be a c18nz. NE's where in the carltons from around 82-88 and were multipoints.

I might *MIGHT* have a spare set of rings that will fit your engine, but I need to check.

I say rebuild your lump if you have the time, money and know how.

[saucy_begger]

my car has gone back to the garage today. I took it to another garage today to be stripped and repaired as ive had enough of it running like sh"t but they said they wont touch it. cos of the on going problem cos of the last repair. they told me to get down to the garage that did the work and to tell them I want it sorted and the other garage refuse to touch it. so I did. they have been fobbing me off for nearly 2 weeks saying they have no car I can borrow and they will ring me? I went down there n told them everything n they gave me a car asap n have kept my car. im fine with them I just want my cav sorted. I said about fitting a new engine n they said I shouldn't bother n to have mine repaired. they said because of all the hassles ive had they will look after me money wise. and if its the pistons they will do it all for mates rates so to speak.

[Envoy CDX]

Keep us posted on the progress. Did they say how long it will take? And what exactly is 'mates rates' in their eyes though?

[saucy_begger]

not sure but anythings better than full price. that garage that refused to do the work said they would charge £500 or there about. that's removing the head and sump so they can push the pistons up to replace the rings. think that's labour and all the stuff included. they was shocked at the amount of oil im using I think they think its blow-by. they also said no to getting another engine and to just repair mine. quite helpful really n nice guys. vauxcare guy said it will be a week or so till they can get to it but I said I don't give a sh"t basically and keep it for as long as you have to till its fixed. ive got a nice astra to drive about in. I don't like it at all haha smooth ride tho, its ok lol. yes ill let you all know when I get word on me cav.

[saucy_begger]

funny thing was today, some guy walked past wile I was at vauxcare and was stairing at the car n said fcuking hell that's in good nick. I said in my mardy mood thanks, she comes with her problems.. then ten minutes later wile I was outside he came back with a boy racer looking lexus driving like a idiot n stopped behind my car n said you wouldn't want to swap it for a lexus would you? I was like no thanks mate. then he started looking round it n was like god its nice n clean for its age n said sure you don't wanna sell it? I said no again then he said heres my number and if you ever think of selling it please call him. then he flew off n the guys from vauxcare said what the hell who was that n I said don't know some guy wanting to buy my cav lol. never had that happen before. I thought im in a garage and ya still wanna buy it??

[Envoy CDX]

People are strange. Had the same with the corsa the week I got it. Should have taken the money and ran when I look back.

[saucy_begger]

lol that's what my missis said. its not often people appreciate a cavalier mk3 most people just pull them down. I hate that so when someone likes mine its a good feeling but today wasn't. like you said it was strange.

[planetc]

I can beat the oil consumption.... my bus is going through a litre every 150-200 miles at the moment! Costs as much in oil as it does in diesel, lol

[Envoy CDX]

lol that's what my missis said. its not often people appreciate a cavalier mk3 most people just pull them down. I hate that so when someone likes mine its a good feeling but today wasn't. like you said it was strange.

Don't get me wrong, it's nice when people take the time, but I do worry when they do

[saucy_begger]

yes I know what you mean, like today he was showing a little to much interest. I had a guy the other day walk into my sisters garden with a can of beer and stinking of weed wile we was all there and say that's a nice cav and walk upto it and look into the windows n look at the wheels n stuff and archers. my sisters husband knew him sort of. he was like I had a Vectra 2.6 as they do n he was like where do you take it for repairs? I just said Vauxhall mate. why ask that? people get to touchy feely with it. ive had random people looking at it even at asda I came out to a guy looking round it. whats that all about. people prob think im talking rubbish but its all happened. what makes me laugh is the haters all I say is well this cav is my first car ive ever owned, what was yours pal. they normally aint got nothing to say.

planetc that is mental its like everytime you fill up you need to top up. my oil usage aint looking so bad lol

[saucy_begger]

got a update today

had a call from the garage today and its not good, the guy said my bores are badly glazed and its got blow by. hes taking pictures for me to see. he said to pop to look at the engine but I said im at work. the oil and piston rings are letting oil past and burning it that way. I said so whats the damage n he said for new piston rings and oil rings, and to hone the bores and change the bearings £400. that's including labour. that's everything basically. I asked about the valves n they said everything is ok that side. I said if its gonna cost £400 all in ill have the work done so its getting done basically. he hasn't removed the pistons to see what state they are in so I guess ill get a call if they need replacing.

[saucy_begger]

update.

I went to pick up my car today and what a difference! the engine has no misfire and the torque of the engine is a big difference. when I pull up to lights or anywhere there is nothing. no shaking or misfire. its strange as I can notice everything as the astra I had for all the time its been in has a silent engine basically. im impressed I really am. its not the quickest car about but its running great. its running a fair bit hotter than before i.e it use to run at 90c but now hangs about between 90c-95c goes upto 100c then fan kicks it to about 97-98 n it hangs about there. its running on 15/40w oil so that could be it. ive gotta go back for a oil change after 200miles but ive already done over 80 tonight driving it about. it cost £380 in the end. well happy with that to be honest. feels good to drive it again. very good.

[Cavalier342]

temperature sounds perfectly normal to me mate. Oil wouldn't have anything to do with running temperature.

[btcctroy]

Stats are generally 92degree on Vauxhall so sounds about right It's great everything is sorted pal.

[saucy_begger]

it probably hasn't been running right for a long time. my temp as long as I can remember has always stayed at just above 90c unless im in traffic for ages then it goes to 100c then fan kicks in but if I drive wile its at 100c it will cool to just above 90c. now its back it hangs about at 95-97c just under 100c mark. never seen that before. car is fine just worried me a bit. shes not overheating tho. I thought it could be because its running properly and firing properly so getting hotter?

[saucy_begger]

yeah its about 92c and thanks mate. its strange to drive it with no shaking or anything. everyone I went to with the shaking said oh it will do that its a 8valve.. they was all talking shit. its not shaking hardly at all. its great. the cost to get the shaking gone and the hot start problem is worth 400 to me. I been leaving it parked up at places and when I come out cringe as I start it incase it starts playing up but so far so good

[Cavalier342]

8 valvers don't shake. They are renowned for slightly lumpy idle while hot, but that is all. The automatics especially are smooth as silk.