QuestionMy 1987 Astra LD, affectively a nissan pulsar n13, has had a tendancy to lose power and sometimes stall in mid drive or between gears when the revs are low, also there is a peculiar rattling/grinding noise from the head at around 2500-3000 revs and at no other point. It has been off the road for a couple of months now at a mates house. I went there and tryed to start it up. To my suprise it started, but was unstable, and blew clous of lingering white smoke that smelt like burt oil, but it was white. A few months ago I had the head gasket burst, so I had it and the flywheel machined and the timing belt and clutch and thermostat replaced, the spark plugs are fine and the compression was as new. The problem my engine is having, its had since i bought it 2nd hand July a year ago, with the odd re-occuring ecm light coming on and off. I'm confused and i have too many people telling me too many things. I've been told my oil pump could be gone, i could have blockages in the oil system, though i had that cleaned out too. I might have over worn piston rings. I just can't work out what to do,. and i have a tight budget, so i'm going to have to do most the work myself. I would bye another engine, but i'm hesitant because i've spent so much already, i'm thinking it can't be a terribly serious problem. Maybe it might be cheaper to solve it myself, if only i knew what was wrong. The car drive further than 20m, and it is over 20km from my home and my local garage. please help me, any ideas?
AnswerNick,
Simple way to find out. Sounds like to me you have bad PISTON RINGS.
Do the following:
Pull your plugs out
Look at them, if they are black and wet, you have bad rings
(oil is going up through the pitons and getting the plugs wet, once the plugs get wet the vehicle won't start until they are dry. This will also cause your white smoke.)
If you are going to do the work yourself,
prepare for time, effort and ALOT of rechecking.
Respond back in regards to wether or not your plugs are wet.
Darrel
