HI all,

 

my mrs owns an mx5 that recently went into a garage due to overheating problems. They diagnosed it as a head gasket problem and swapped it under warranty.

 

Since then the car has started smoking heavily when started and is using a fair amount of oil. Its been back to the guys and they have said the following:

 

Sell it (not very helpful!) as their is pressure building in the engine? (nice and vague!)

 

It has a rumbly bottom end?

 

Maybe Distorted piston rings?

 

Am i right in saying they should have noticed the piston rings while the head was off? Im guessing mx5 1.6 blocks arnt hugely expensive but its been a nice car until recently.

 

Advice welcome thanks guys

You wouldn't have seen the piston rings while the head was off but the overheating could have damaged them.

 

The piston rings being shot will cause excess pressure in the crankcase and cause excessive breathing which will be the cause of the smoking.

 

Baz

Is it not still under warranty?

SAdly still not under the warrenty. Im guessing a set of piston rings for a 1.6 mx can not be that much though?