1.2i Nova

[Codger]

Anyone help me please?
Got "K" reg last of the Nova's.
Valves/camshaft rattling like mad - no oil getting up there.
There was much water in the sump raising the oli level high.
Cleared all, replacing oil, water and head gasket.
Engine runs well.....with this tremendous rattle.... and still no oil at camshaft! Oil warning light goes out and stays out for several seconds after engine switch off suggesting oli pressure ok?
Any ideas please? Thanks in advance.

[Adam]

Do you mean you start the car then the oil light goes out as its supposed to.
COuld be a blocked oil pickup?

[nova_172]

i would try not 2 run it like that then, it could be the oil pik up or on my 1.2i the crank case breather was blocked this could be causing some weird symptons like it did on mine.

[burgo]

deffo dont run it like that and i would say check the pick up pipe first mate. this was the problem i had wiv one of mine, but by the time i had got round to sorting it cam was fooked

[Codger]

Thanks for your help guys.......but
Dropped the sump, pick tube and mesh all clear, no evidence of sludge, pressure relief valve clear, but still no oil getting to camshaft.
I can't help thinking it has to be something to do with the fact that there was water in the oil...........
Yes, the oil light works as normal - on with just ignition on - out when engine running, then when turn key to stop, the light stays off for several seconds until the oil pressure drops.
Quite a challenge this one!

[nova_172]

you havent had the head skimmed, cos this might hav misallighned the oil line maybe.i'd take the head off or consult a specialist.

[Codger]

No head shimmed - in fact just standard with 63k on clock - just started rattling at top-end. Discovered very quickly no oil at camshaft, but oil level high being raised by the water ingress, which I assumed was the head gasket since replaced.
Methinks, complete engine removal and strip necessary...
Whats a standard 1.2i 5 door hatch in good nick otherwise worth?!!!

[Snowface]

if you're saying its been like it since u've changed the head gasket then perhaps u put the wrong one on and its blocking off the oil ways to the head.

[nova_172]

i remeber when i overhauled the head on mine, they give me a 1.2 carbed gasket(?2.99) even tho i had given them full information, after trying 2 give me a 1.6 gasket i went 2 a vauxhasll dealer 2 get an spi gasket(smaller bore diametre) and the only one was a from a dealership 50miles away and it cost me about 30 quid.