Its broken.

That doesn't sound right to me
You could have bad pistons or piston rings, or bad valves
Pistons can melt, rings can size or break, valves can burn.
A small amount of oil into the bore before you do a compression test will indicate if it's a ring
Do you get lots of pressure coming from the oil filler cap?

Does the expert know how to do a compression test?

kermit_rr said:

That doesn't sound right to me
You could have bad pistons or piston rings, or bad valves
Pistons can melt, rings can size or break, valves can burn.
A small amount of oil into the bore before you do a compression test will indicate if it's a ring
Do you get lots of pressure coming from the oil filler cap?

Click to expand...

Or badly set valve clearances.

Turboman said:

Or badly set valve clearances.

Click to expand...

Hydraulic lifters and you'd hear the chatter

Second hand from £200 ++++! That is whole engine or blocks!
But it will take a bit of looking around for one!!
Re-Bore?

It's not over till the F@# lady sings

Kev

Worn cam.

So many things. that need to be checked and confirmed before condemning an engine.

And I dont believe the tripe about cylinder washing blaming it on EZ start its the mechanics get out clause if you aske me..

3.9 and 4.0 is basically the same engine the 4.6 is the same but longer stroke so you could say all 3 blocks are the same (slight differences depending on year).

They are DIYable to rebuild if you have a few tools, space and patience, which we have all learnt you don't seem to have.
A scrappy engine that runs will usually be fine dont be tempted to stray to the 4.6 as it will bring in a whole world of hurt for electrickery.

J

marjon said:

Worn cam.

So many things. that need to be checked and confirmed before condemning an engine.

And I dont believe the tripe about cylinder washing blaming it on EZ start its the mechanics get out clause if you aske me..

3.9 and 4.0 is basically the same engine the 4.6 is the same but longer stroke so you could say all 3 blocks are the same (slight differences depending on year).

They are DIYable to rebuild if you have a few tools, space and patience, which we have all learnt you don't seem to have.
A scrappy engine that runs will usually be fine dont be tempted to stray to the 4.6 as it will bring in a whole world of hurt for electrickery.

J

Click to expand...

I thought about the cam too as they do wear.
But
Even with no cam at all you'd still get some compression

LetsHopeItFits said:

All the plugs are brand new.
I sprayed into the throttke body whilst the engine was cranking continuously for 10+ seconds and nothing happened

Click to expand...

Can't remember if you have answered this before, but have you checked tha firing order? And/or the cam belt timing? cos that is the only thing that I can think of that would stop it firing on Easistart, unless the throttle body is blocked, not opening.

Stanleysteamer said:

Can't remember if you have answered this before, but have you checked tha firing order? And/or the cam belt timing? cos that is the only thing that I can think of that would stop it firing on Easistart, unless the throttle body is blocked, not opening.

Click to expand...

Assuming there is a spark

Does it sound normal when i the engine cranks as you turn the ignition key?

kermit_rr said:

I thought about the cam too as they do wear.
But
Even with no cam at all you'd still get some compression

Click to expand...

But due to the lack of figures given they could be low as less air coming in to compress. we are all polishing off our crystal balls

As I noted so many other things to check, 1 of which you stated about the person doing the tests .

J

I can only assume that this guy knows what hes doing. Washed bores seem reasonable to me because it had fuel going into it with no spark when it first broke, then it had loads of EZ start, so its believable.
Firing order is correct, ignition timing is close enough.
Mechanic did suggest the timing chain had slipped, but given its a single cam on a chain we agree its unlikely.
It ran fine before it stopped working. Ive found a 2nd hand engine the same as mine, seller is asking £400. A mate has very kindly volunteered his weekend to help me fit it.

marjon said:

They are DIYable to rebuild if you have a few tools, space and patience, which we have all learnt you don't seem to have.

Click to expand...

Correct on all counts. I might keep the engine which comes out and rebuild it for fun/practice/etc, depending which tools Ill need. Worst case Ill have a nice heavy table.

Engine Ive found is from an auto. Are all the bits the same? Is it just a case of changing the torque converter and putting the clutch there instead?
Thanks

I call rubbish on washed bores. Ez start might melt pistons though

Do you have the car or is it stuck in a workshop?

kermit_rr said:

I call rubbish on washed bores. Ez start might melt pistons though

Click to expand...

A good mechanic would have given 2 numbers "dry" and "wet" test. But yes I am with you on the washed bores (cos of EZ start)
Difficult to melt pistons if it isn't running.

J

LetsHopeItFits said:

Engine Ive found is from an auto. Are all the bits the same? Is it just a case of changing the torque converter and putting the clutch there instead?
Thanks

Click to expand...

I dont know the engine, But as you will have both on the floor you can have a good look.
Yes basically you will need the flywheel and clutch from yours, the only thing I would say for a check is. Do they have a CPS and are they the same, crank position sensor, does it even have 1? I dont know.

J

kermit_rr said:

Do you have the car or is it stuck in a workshop?

Click to expand...

It was at uni, then at a garage, then back at uni, now its at another garage and soon it will be back home

marjon said:

A good mechanic would have given 2 numbers "dry" and "wet" test. But yes I am with you on the washed bores (cos of EZ start)
Difficult to melt pistons if it isn't running.

J

Click to expand...

If you run it on ether (ez start) you'll melt the pistons in no time. A start is fine just don't run it for long

LetsHopeItFits said:

It was at uni, then at a garage, then back at uni, now its at another garage and soon it will be back home

Click to expand...

Oh, was it you stuck in north Wales, or was that someone else? I'm rubbish on names