scruffy Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Hi everyone, Got a major problem with my 350 and looking for any advice. I've done 140,000 miles in my 05 model and all was great until the engine warning light went on recently. I then noticed the car had started running rough but it was still going. Took it to my main dealership and they did the diagnostic checks and found five cylinders were below the minimum of 140psi. They reckon there had been an oil problem but I had been topping it up regularly. Anyway their thoughts were that it needs a new engine. Clearly not an option. What about second hand engines? I fear the worst but I am very reluctant to send my car to the scrapyard. Any thoughts much apreciated. Quote
rabbitstew Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Id try and get a 2nd opinion. If its running low compression on some cylinders, then it could be a number of things. Valve seats, head gasket, all sorts. If its a head related thing then it will be a lot cheaper than a whole engine. Quote
M13KYF Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Hi everyone,Got a major problem with my 350 and looking for any advice. I've done 140,000 miles in my 05 model and all was great until the engine warning light went on recently. I then noticed the car had started running rough but it was still going. Took it to my main dealership and they did the diagnostic checks and found five cylinders were below the minimum of 140psi. They reckon there had been an oil problem but I had been topping it up regularly. Anyway their thoughts were that it needs a new engine. Clearly not an option. What about second hand engines? I fear the worst but I am very reluctant to send my car to the scrapyard. Any thoughts much apreciated. you could always get a replacement second hand engine. Another member is doing this atm Quote
Southernspeed Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Did they do a leak down test to see why it's down on pressure? Could be a valve lash issue rather than a bore issue. In which case getting someone (who knows what they are doing) to do the valve clearances would keep you on the road Quote
Lexx Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Where abouts are you? We will likely be able to recommend a better garage for you to take the car too. Quote
Michael robinson Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Av just had this problem and it's cheaper to rebuild than replace mate . Quote
R35LEE Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 scruffy, I am supplying 2 engines at present. Where in the country are you? Quote
scruffy Posted October 11, 2011 Author Posted October 11, 2011 Thanks for such prompt replies. I'm in Hertfordshire so if anyone knows any 350 experts for a second opinion I'd appreciate it. Quote
Lexx Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Get it to Abbey Motorsport. They're about 70 miles from you. http://www.abbeymotorsport.co.uk/site_flash/index.php Quote
R35LEE Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Ye Mark @ Abbey is the best bet near you for sure. I would advise not driving the car that far though so tow or AA etc Quote
Mark@Abbey m/s Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Is the car misfiring or just sounds a little rough? I presume none of the cylinders are below 140psi thou? How much oil is it using? Mark Quote
Mark@Abbey m/s Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 but even if they was all at 130psi the car shouldn't misfire. We see a few running around 140psi without any trouble. Even give good power on the dyno. Quote
R35LEE Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Think he needs to book it in with you boys Mark Quote
scruffy Posted October 11, 2011 Author Posted October 11, 2011 Sorry more info... one of the cylinders is at 75 (which I guess is REALLY bad). Quote
Mark@Abbey m/s Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 yes that is bad, do you run the car on 95 octane fuel? Quote
scruffy Posted October 11, 2011 Author Posted October 11, 2011 It's normal unleaded from a Shell petrol station. Quote
Southernspeed Posted October 11, 2011 Posted October 11, 2011 Not good having 1 significantly lower than the other. A problem for sure but could still just be head work. Perhaps a tight valve clearance has let a valve burn out. Mark can check with a borescope and leak down test anyway so don't go buying an engine before you've had it properly diagnosed! Quote
Ekona Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 It's normal unleaded from a Shell petrol station. The car should be run on 98Ron, it even says so in the manual. Not saying that's the cause of your problems, but if you do get another engine dropped in then it's worth bearing in mind for the future. Still, I am sorry to hear of your woes, get yourself down to Abbey they'll look after you Quote
Mark@Abbey m/s Posted October 12, 2011 Posted October 12, 2011 It is hard to say what the problem is without seeing and inspecting the car , but I would say running on Unleaded wouldn't of helped. As Southern Speed said , we can have a good look around in the cylinders with our borescopes and see if there is any viewable damage, but even if it is a tight tappet it is major job , to get the cam's out to do the valve clearances is a motor out job in our eyes ( front covers need to come off and to get these off you need to remove the sump) Mark Quote
scruffy Posted October 13, 2011 Author Posted October 13, 2011 Thanks Mark, I'll be in touch soon. Nick Quote
choptop Posted October 13, 2011 Posted October 13, 2011 Until you get the head off difficult to comment. Looks like a engine rebuild. If you do it now, chances are you will get away from having to replace the engine. As R35LEE has said, try and get it to Abbey without driving it there. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.