Bin the engine?

[kmak577]

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!

[Gandi699]

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

[kmak577]

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?

[Gandi699]

If your valves aren't closing the right amount or for the right amount of time then yes it would

[sebo123]

i picked up a mint vtr lump with 60k for 40 quid!

[blackie_2k5]

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

[kane_15023]

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