[StefxXx]

Hello everyone

I'm new here and hope you guys can give me some advice

I have an Astra 1.8 2001 convertible

It started making rattling noises in the engine so I booked it into the garage and on the way to the garage the car was really rattling and then suddenly died

The garage came out and said the water pump has gone (I agree with this) and maybe the cam belt has gone too he looked in the cap where oil goes and said this side is moving (not sure what this means) anyways they took it to the garage and tested the compression and have told me it has no compression and it's a write off not worth fixing and said they can scrap it for me

How can they tell it's not worth fixing they didn't give me a price or anything

I hope you guys can help me out to understand what's wrong with the car

Is it a write off?

Thanks Stef

 

[M32Guy]

If the belt has snapped due to water pump failure or the engine has overheated causing the head to warp then both of these things will cause a lack of compression. Without taking the cylinder head off it's impossible to tell exactly what's happened but either way it's going to cost a small fortune to put right, probably more than the cars market value. Simply removing the cylinder head to investigate is going leave you with a 3 figure bill

 

[Koicarpkeeper]

When they took the oil cap off and looked inside did they try turning the engine over? If they did it sounds like they could see one of the cams turning which means the belt hasn't snapped.
In which case some other catastrophe has befallen it.

 

[StefxXx]

If the belt has snapped due to water pump failure or the engine has overheated causing the head to warp then both of these things will cause a lack of compression. Without taking the cylinder head off it's impossible to tell exactly what's happened but either way it's going to cost a small fortune to put right, probably more than the cars market value. Simply removing the cylinder head to investigate is going leave you with a 3 figure bill

What bothers me is they said they have done a compression test on an engine will not start and run So it would have been cold I don't see how they could've done this test and they said that they could scrap it for me I feel I'm being taken for a ride

 

[pdrpaul]

worst case scenario will be a new engine. not as bad as you might first think all depends how much you want to save the car. you can have a replacement engine delivered on a pallet for 200/250. but unless you know someone that can put it in on the cheap it would be 300 + id imagine to fit. everything can be repaired one way or another

 

[M32Guy]

What bothers me is they said they have done a compression test on an engine will not start and run So it would have been cold I don't see how they could've done this test and they said that they could scrap it for me I feel I'm being taken for a ride

As long as it turns over OK a compression test can be done. To be honest if there's no or very little compression you can hear the difference.

I would take it to another garage for a second opinion if you don't trust them but from what you've told me I suspect the water pump has failed causing the engine to overheat (the rattle is a warning sign) and warp the cylinder head.

Where about are you located? There may be a member near you that could recommend a garage