16 replies to this topic

[haggz]

was wondering if someone could enlighten me.

need an engine for my 1994 corsa gsi 1.6 -16v ectotec (water pump failed, belt slipped - clang bang engine now locked up). is there any difference between the origanal engine and say one from a 1997 astra. im not worried about swapping parts over but need to know if the block/head are the same.

thanks, scott

[Burnard]

asueming you had an x16xe, and the one you want to fit is an x16xe, then yes, it will be the same.

I think they had a slightly different head on the GSI to get a bit more power out of it, but for the sake of getting it running its not a big deal.

[haggz]

thanks for reply, will check tomorrow on engine code

[Stevee]

instead of trying to find an engine ull think will fit

try get the same engine again

no piont messing around to be honest

[Boycie]

I believe your car would have been born with a C16XE.

This has more power than the later X16 as Burnard says but it's not a major issue. Later Astra Sports etc had an X16XEL, I think differing due to the addition of an EGR valve (been a while since I've played with 90s VX's!)
People used to rave about the C16XE but in reality, most are worn out by now and they weren't helped by a manufacturing issue that affected quite a lot of blocks.. undersize pistons were mistakenly fitted which caused heavy oil consumption/ smoking.

[haggz]

instead of trying to find an engine ull think will fit

try get the same engine again

no piont messing around to be honest

i was thinking that just swapping engine over would be the cheapest option. i dont think i would have much luck finding a good original. taking the engine apart and reconditioning parts in my opinion would be too expensive. i may as well take the head off and see the damage .
might be a good time to pull my finger out and finish my mini.

[secondopsman]

Have you tried Allvox 01773 541174 they have a number of the engines and they can pallet it up for del.Yours should be a x16xe engine twin cam,
Same as whats in my mini.
HTH
Pete

[haggz]

thanks for number. going to take head off first and see if the valves are bent. Dont want to spend too much money on car as its proberly only worth £450. will keep you posted

[haggz]

right here goes. went for the cheap option

fitted new water pump, timed up etc etc. engine turns over but wont start. engine management light on. im sure it only goes out once engine has started. there is no knocking or grinding so im at a loss as what to look at next.

i know its not a mini but was hoping someone could shed some light on this problem. the haynes manual is a waste of time. could i have the timing 180 degrees out ????? if so how would i know.

scott

[Boycie]

No, if the marks on the cam and crank sprockets are aligned correctly, it will be ok.

What does it sound like when it's churning over? You want to hear regular compression 'bumps' while it's spinning, not just a uniform drone.

Do you have a screw-in compression tester?

[haggz]

it turns over very fast until the battery drains. looking through the oil filler hole the cam is turning but cant hear any strange noises. even if some of the valves did get damaged would it still start on the good cylinders. will try and borrow a compression tester and try that.

[Boycie]

We used to get a fair few of these come in to work, where they had been whacked in the o/s and taken the belt out

Sadly you won't hear any nasty noises, if there's bent valves, they'll be jammed in their guides, probably only very slightly not seating- but enough to lose all compression.
Hate to say it, but it sounds like you have a fair few bent valves, especially if you can't hear the usual compression strokes when the engine is turning over.

There is one other thing- when these sit about for a while, the oil drains from the hydraulic tappets. When this happens, they don't pressurise so when the cam lobe strikes them, they simply compress instead of push the valve open. This is a possibility, but doesn't normally stop the engine firing/ coughing and trying to run.

[The Matt]

I would imagine that on a C16XE, you'd be VERY lucky to lose a cambelt and not bend the valves. There isn't much clearance there for things to go wrong (hence the pockets in the pistons). You can't even put long duration cams in them without hav ing to open the pockets up.

Unfortunately, C16XE engines are getting a little rare now. But, an X16XE will do the same job. The head ports are a little better on the C16XE, but other than that, they're a very similar engine. All of your ancillaries will fit on the X16XE. Only problem may be exhaust manifold and EGR valves. The C16XE didn't have an EGR valve IIRC. Your old manifold will just blank off the outlet in the head on the X16XE though.

[mattdc2r]

Don't know if it's any use to you, but I have a 1.6 16 valve astra in swapshop. Valued it at £400 and has 3-4 weeks mot left on it and some ttax, so can be driven. Engine only covered less than 90k. Then you could possibly break what is left, as it all work fine, even the electrics all work

[haggz]

just a quick note. as i wasnt feeling lazy today i took head off and found that 12 valves have been bent. some are worse than others and very slight marks on piston tops. now ive gone this far ive decided to fix it and not scrap the car.

Thanks for now,
scott