I have a Ford Fiesta 1.3, 1994 model. The engine makes excessive noise, and when stuck in traffic it heats up, causing smoke to come from the bonnet. It also drinks up engine oil like a thirsty camel; in four months I have poured in two litres and still the level is low. The clutch pedal is squeaky too. Can you please suggest which items I should have serviced or get changed?
The mechanic says...
You do not say how many miles you cover in your car; in normal use the engine should use no more than approximately one litre for every 1,000 miles (although typically, an engine in very good condition would usually run for about 2,000 miles before a litre would be needed; please note that these figures are only a guide, and vary from car to car, even with new engines fitted). If your engine is covering very few miles per litre of oil, there is a problem that needs to be sorted out, not least because, if the oil is passing through the engine into the exhaust system, eventually the smoke produced will result in failure in the ‘emissions’ part of the annual MoT test.
First check to make sure that the oil is not leaking from the engine itself; look carefully all around the unit to see signs of oil escaping. In most such cases, changing a gasket in the area affected will stop the trouble. If no leaks can be seen, it is likely that the oil is being consumed by the engine itself; in other words being burnt in the combustion chambers and passing through into the exhaust system. In this case you may be able to see blue smoke (indicating the presence of oil) being emitted from the exhaust pipe, especially when the engine is warm. This is usually a sign of mechanical wear/problems within the engine, for example worn valve guides, worn or damaged pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls. If this is the case, an engine stripdown an overhaul, or a replacement engine will be needed to cure the trouble. However, if the oil in the engine is of the wrong type (especially if it is too thin), this could account for excessive noise and high oil consumption. Have the engine oil and filter changed, using high quality oil of the type recommended in your Fiesta’s handbook, plus a high quality filter.
If the engine is overheating, it will use more oil than normal, and may also sound louder. First, with the engine cold, check the coolant level to make sure that it is not low; if it is, top up with anti-freeze mixture and run the engine again.
If the engine still runs hot, the radiator may be blocked, or the thermostat may be seized shut, or the electric cooling fan or its operating switch may be faulty. These items need to be checked one by one. If the running temperature of the engine can be corrected, you may find that the oil consumption and noise are reduced to acceptable levels.
It may be possible to quieten the squeaking clutch pedal by applying a little oil to the pivot points above the clutch pedal itself (take care to avoid dropping oil on the carpets).
It would be worth taking your Fiesta to a reputable mechanic to have the state of the engine accurately and honestly assessed; he or she should be able to give you a more precise idea of what needs to be done to your car, and how much it might cost.
