Qashcow
So, on Monday evening I got a text off Gray suggesting I look at link to CS advertising a Clio for sale. Slight engine noise, probably dephaser pulley on its way out.
7 minutes later my offer is accepted, we chat and discuss tactics. It was an hours drive away and I had today off work anyway.
I missed the first bus into town - I am not used to public transport - but managed to get on the next, had a quick pre-wedding hair cut and got the next train towards Bristol. So far this has cost me £8.70, which IMO, is a bargain.
I arrive in Keynsham and get picked up by the Clio's owner in his truck. He has already stated that the engine is fucked and I should really get it trailered away, but that would cost £90 rental plus fuel.
Turned it over, slight rattle which sounded top end. Meh it'll get home. Oil/water checked, monies paid and the deal done.
Homeward bound, the rattle slowly got a bit worse, got through Bristol ok then onto the M4, and it got reallllly bad. I was hoping I could get through the roadworks and onto the M5 before I'd need to pull over. Well, at the very junction, in 5th gear at 45mph it went bang. Smoke everywhere, chunks of engine rattling under the floor as I pulled over onto the hard shoulder.
40 minutes later and the RAC arrive to take me home. I didn't even bother looking under the bonnet until I got home.
So, to all those reading this who don't check their oil levels, may I suggest you do?!! This has probably done a couple of hundred miles with very low oil, been filled and sold and gone 30 miles further. New bottom end, maybe whole engine but isn't a great problem, I'll leave it on the drive for the next six weeks before I can touch it anyway.
Couple of pictures of my day out...
And this was on the RAC tow hitch when we got home, think I'm going to be finding lots more bits when I start looking
7 minutes later my offer is accepted, we chat and discuss tactics. It was an hours drive away and I had today off work anyway.
I missed the first bus into town - I am not used to public transport - but managed to get on the next, had a quick pre-wedding hair cut and got the next train towards Bristol. So far this has cost me £8.70, which IMO, is a bargain.
I arrive in Keynsham and get picked up by the Clio's owner in his truck. He has already stated that the engine is fucked and I should really get it trailered away, but that would cost £90 rental plus fuel.
Turned it over, slight rattle which sounded top end. Meh it'll get home. Oil/water checked, monies paid and the deal done.
Homeward bound, the rattle slowly got a bit worse, got through Bristol ok then onto the M4, and it got reallllly bad. I was hoping I could get through the roadworks and onto the M5 before I'd need to pull over. Well, at the very junction, in 5th gear at 45mph it went bang. Smoke everywhere, chunks of engine rattling under the floor as I pulled over onto the hard shoulder.
40 minutes later and the RAC arrive to take me home. I didn't even bother looking under the bonnet until I got home.
So, to all those reading this who don't check their oil levels, may I suggest you do?!! This has probably done a couple of hundred miles with very low oil, been filled and sold and gone 30 miles further. New bottom end, maybe whole engine but isn't a great problem, I'll leave it on the drive for the next six weeks before I can touch it anyway.
Couple of pictures of my day out...
And this was on the RAC tow hitch when we got home, think I'm going to be finding lots more bits when I start looking
