Suzuki Club UK

hia all . i recently purchased a sj413 with a vitara engine from another forum . the car looked just what i wanted but i noticed the oil light was still lingering on for a while on start up . when i queried this was assured that it was the switch playing up . anyway my judgment stinks and now on start up the light still stays on and now has aquired a loud knocking noise until it has warmed a little then the light goes out and the noise goes away. i took the mans word as the engine oil looks clean and was recently rebuilt, no loss in engine oil. i take it the bottom of the engine is on its way out but would like any opinions. any helpappreciated before i look for a new engine / thanks midge

Check the oil level first off...

Worst case you can take the sump off and turn the engine round with a spanner...

Drain the oil first

See if you can find the cause...

checked oil level and thats ok. the oil looks like new . took it out again today and same thing took 15 min or so until warmed up then oil light went and knocking stopped. is the oil pump on the outside of the vitara engine . anyone any ideas of what could be happening or what to check first

Oh dear sorry to say mate but your oil light staying on says that you haven't got oil pressure and the knocking says your bottom end if screwed. This could be because of an oil pump issue? Its a bit strange that the knocking disappears but if it was me I'd get a new (secondhand) bottom end then strip yours and check if its too damaged for a rebuild.

Cheers Scott

cheers scott. i thought it would be knackered but i thought it was strange that the knocking stops when the oil light goes out . i have seen a couple of secondhand engines on the bay close ta me for £175. is this about right for an 8v or should i phone around the scrappys or has anyone got one there selling not too far away. i,m in gravesend kent

Yeah i must admit that it's a bit weird how the knocking goes away, perhaps it might be worth draining the oil and whipping the sump off for a good inspection before you pull it.

mmmmm £175 well i've seen them go for around £100 but they're usually more than that, you've gotta remember though that you might find one further away for cheaper but then if you add on the fuel cost it might work out more expensive. I'd try and knock them down to £150

Pop onto the raging rhinos forum and put a wanted add up in the wanted section, they are in the kent area and might know where there is one

well no need to further have a look . took the car down to me brother in law who is was gonna have a look at it for me and while we were having a look a little bang and i think the con rods come through the block so def a new engine needed. i,llhave a look at the raging rhinos forum. did ring a local breakers and found one for £80 with nothing on it but cant do a lot till some a this snow clears.