Hey all,

I recently added a TF Exec V6 Auto to my collection. Got it for a good price (3-figure), the downside being a questionable motor (thats how I bought it). For the price I got it, I deemed the whole motor a write-off, which, in my head, was fine. It's a shame as the body is pretty good, everything else works (remote locking, all lights etc) and very clean.

http://i49.tinypic.com/2hwwgn_th.jpg (http://i49.tinypic.com/2hwwgn.jpg) http://i47.tinypic.com/a0wglf_th.jpg (http://i47.tinypic.com/a0wglf.jpg) http://i45.tinypic.com/2gsidts_th.jpg (http://i45.tinypic.com/2gsidts.jpg) http://i45.tinypic.com/23r90fl_th.jpg (http://i45.tinypic.com/23r90fl.jpg)

My original thought was timing belt issue, but the previous owner had described a "knocking" then later it "stopped" and carked it. So anyway here I was pricing up a new belt, water pump, hyd tensioner etc when I thought "hey, I should check the belt to confirm it being snapped" and what do you know - it's not!

So today I went out there armed with a freshly charged battery and cautiously turned it over listening for any nasty noises. It sounded a little bottom-endy/gutless compression (turned over fast, but not compression-test-fast) then it fired to life for 1-2 seconds, then back to cranking - no super nasty noises like valves vs pistons etc (which I don't think 24-valve can do).

At the moment I feel I'm possibly facing three things: slipped belt (timing out), head gasket (low compression) or low-oil pressure/failed oil-pump (bad bottom-end).

I will check the timing tomorrow, remove the plugs and check for spark and fuel. As a last resort I will drop the oil and inspect for fragments/filings... Is there anything else I'm missing?

Thanks in advance to any and all replies.

Pull engine out of car, dismantle, repair problems, replace broken bits. Easy. The more Km on the engine, the more problems you will find.

But it DID fire and run very briefly, and since then all it does is (happily) continue cranking. Internally this engine appears is great, with only that yellow oil staining on the valve gear, compared to my TE which is currently oil-gunk-city.

I will check the immobiliser to ECU wiring/plugs tomorrow (since it cut out shortly after firing) and also check for any stored fault codes, I just need a general idea whats going on before I tear it down willy-nilly.