Had mobile man come and service van today.
Well your spot on, an oil leak - a mega one at that. My dipstick was showing min today - yet I only checked it a couple of weeks ago. There is also a nice puddle on the floor to the rear right or the engine as you stand and look at it (its RHD if that makes any difference). And the bloke said the engine was soaked in it.
Very nervous, looks costly. and worried about whether the engine is clapped out.
He reckoned it prob needs steam cleaning as well to get rid of fumes, of which there are now Tonnes, even when first starting. All escaping from under the van.
He also couldn't change the oil as the sump plug was completely rounded off. And another oil plug thingy is completely rusted on. So he sucked the oil out of the dipstick. All 1 litre of it. Meant to be about 3 isn't there?
He also said there is a lot of rust - heard this all before at MOT's etc. but always assumed they meant on the body. But he was talking about fixings - and that everything is tricky to replace without cracking stuff. Prob what the other people have been talking about too. But he didn't lift the van so couldn't get a good look underneath, so he said he couldn't be too sure.
Should I be considering a new engine? The costs scare me - think we're talking 2k fitted? We were planning to sell next year - but there is no way I can sell it like this!!
We are planning a 1000 mile round trip to France in August - is it a dangerous plan to replace the engine before that? Or is it a good way to run it in?
Would I get more mpg from a new engine?
Not sure if I can afford a garage - anyone local who likes knocking around with old vans (and who is very good at it obviously!), who might be able to help me out?
