Engine not starting

MCKLANE

MEMBER
2007 VAUXHALL SIGNUM
2.2L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
65,000 MILES

Hi, in the previous two to three weeks the engine started to be more noisy, it sounded like a diesel engine, not sure how to explain it. It was not too bad, like other people did not really notice it but I could hear the difference from before, the noise was very subtle before.
Then one day while driving on the motorway the engine started to make a loud metal banging noise, three to four times per second until it completely shut down. The engine cranks up but it has not started since then.
We took it to a garage who diagnosed a failed compression test in the second cylinder but they do not carry out engine repairs so it was left as it is.
Being the car quite old and with many marks and bumps on the body work I did not bother getting it repaired through another garage as I suspect it is an engine problem that could be very expensive to repair.
The battery, coil pack and fuel pump works fine.
Please note that this car does not have a cam belt but a timing chain, supposedly lasting the life of the engine.
What do you think the problem may be?
Many thanks, Mike

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,269 POSTS

HI Mike, and thanks for using 2carpros. Com

If you were hearing banging as you described and now there is a compression issue, chances are either a rod bearing on the crank shaft is bad, a valve is bent, or even piston damage.

Can you tell me what the compression readings were in all cylinders including the bad one?

Take care and I'll watch for your reply.

Joe

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Wednesday, October 24th, 2018 AT 6:59 PM

MCKLANE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thanks Joe.
I don't know the readings, the garage that did it didn't tell me; I think they said there was no compression at all on that cylinder but I am not 100% sure.
I suppose any of the possible causes you suggested would require substantial work on the engine so for a car that is valued around � 1000-� 1500 is not worth doing any work; what do you think?
Cheers

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Thursday, October 25th, 2018 AT 3:29 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,269 POSTS

If there was no compression, either you have valves stuck or bent open or a hole in the top of the piston. That is major and expensive. You would be better off finding a good engine from a salvage yard and paying to have it installed.

You have to forgive me, but I'm not familiar with this vehicle. Therefore, I have no idea of it's value other than what you told me. However, my personal rule of thumb is this. If the repairs exceed the 75% of the vehicle's value, it's not worth fixing. I have a feeling it going to cost about three times the value in this case. The reason I say 75% is this. Anytime a major repair is needed, shops are usually off by 10% to 20%. (Something is always missed or forgotten to be added into the price. Also, if the vehicle has a lot of miles, you can always expect to put more money into it once the major repair is done.

The result, you end up having much more invested that can be returned.

Those are my ideas. However, you know the vehicle and it's overall condition.

Please let me know if this is helpful or if I'm just giving you a headache. LOL If you have other questions, feel free to ask.

Take care,
Joe

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Thursday, October 25th, 2018 AT 6:04 PM

MCKLANE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you very much, this makes perfect sense; I will sell the car for scrap.
Best Regards, Mike

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Friday, October 26th, 2018 AT 1:33 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,269 POSTS

Mike,
I hope you are not making that decision solely on what I said. It's simply how I look at things. I have to be honest, I've been on this site for years, and I never had someone say they were going to scrap a car based on my info. I just don't want you to have regrets.

You know the vehicle more than me. Just think it through and feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

Take care,
Joe