Seized Engine

[x31mrk]

The engine on my Wife's 15 month old Citroen C4 HDI has seized and the garage are saying it is because it is too full of oil. They are saying that it will have ran ungoverned on it's own oil and effectively revved itse'f to destruction. Is this correct?

As a precaution I was advised to send a sample of the oil away for analysis which I have done. Early, unconfirmed, indications are that there could be diesel in the engine oil. If this is the case, wah timpact would this have and could this have been a contributory factor?

[NORMANTHEDOG]

What does it matter my friend,the engine should not have seized up after 15 months,I TAKE IT THE GARAGE YOU BOUGHT IT FROM DID THE 1ST SERVICE ON IT, THEY SHOULD FIT A NEW ENGINE,NO QUESTIONS ASKED,

[x31mrk]

Unfortunately the garage are trying to pin the blame on us (we've only had it 5mths!) by saying that the oil level was fine when it left them and as such the overfill must be down to us. I haven't put any oil in the car since we've had it. The garage are also saying that it was my responsibility to have checked the oil every 1,200 miles. Knowing nothing about cars, even if I had seenthe dipstick as overfull it wouldn't have meant anything to me.

The real nightmare is that the overfill apparently invalidates the warranty!!!

[mr_pointment]

are you in the AA or the RAC ? they may be able to help you if you are.

[qapmoc]

Yes it is correct for a very old and worn out engine which has completely worn out piston rings and cylinder bores and where the crankcase breather pipe goes into the air intake or filter, what happens is that so much oil mist gets blown into the breather and the n the air intake that it is enough to run the engine on even if the deisel supply is stopped, the engine will run faster and faster as it speeds up it make more oil mist etc.. this circle continues until the engine overspeeds and seizes up.
Note that this is related only to very old worn out engines which yours is not, did it in fact overrev itself and then stop because this sounds more like a fault in the injector system. I stongly suggest the AA or RAC as mentioned before.

[jake-the-peg]

If the diesel engine ran ungoverned you would have noticed.

The engine revs would have gone through the roof, the engine would have made the most terrific noise and you'd (if you had any sense) have run screaming from the car.

I take it that didn't happen?

[Toureman]

Hi, Is your car fitted with a turbo charger?

If the Turbo fails the engine lubrication oil will be used to run the engine, look at the post in the link for an explanation.

hhttp://www.renaultforums.co.uk/engines/74-laguna-ii-unre liable-turbo-diesel-engine.html

I do not know how topping the oil up too much can do what the garage has said.

What happened with your car is NOT your fault take it further, start off with the dealers head office!

[Toureman]

Hi, me again,

After you get to renault forums.......

Click on forums..........Scroll down to Laguna...........Read ..THE LAGUNA11 UNRELIABLE ENGINE.

[stanleyman]

Whilst it is possible for an engine to run on it's own oil, engines are designed to prevent destructive overreving by what is known as valve bounce. At a certain engine speed the valve springs are unable to close the valve properly and this limits the speed.

If the oil level has increased this may well be caused by an internal fuel leak which can dilute the oil and cause the engine to fail. I suggest you have the engine examine independantley for the benefit of a court hearing and start threatening legal action against the garage who appear to be avoiding their responsibilities.