My son has a MK3 fiesta 1.1l HCS engine which was driven while the oil had run dry and has since developed a deep knock when the engine has load applied.

All our research suggest the big end bearings needing replacing. They Haynes manual says this is a 4 spanner job and needs the engine out, but could this be done with the engine in?

With the sump off can I get to the bottom of the connecting rod and do it that way? Seems to me that logically it could be possible.

Any thoughts or advice on this gratefully received.

Many thanks

Hi Steve, some previous posts (Nov 25) on a slightly newer fiesta say it is possible but not recommended, unless this is your day job. The issue is to understand the damage to the crankshaft (wear scoring) that is on the big ends and also the main bearings , so you can drop the oil that's left and remove the sump to inspect each bearing journal ay a time, so the crank shaft is supported, take photos and get a second opinion.

Probably better to source a running engine if you can.

Iirc the HCS is a development of the Valencia which was itself derived from the Kent so a lot simpler to work on than later units and I guess it would be possible.

As above, could be a lot more damage than just big end bearings, though you may be lucky.

I'd pull it out, how are you going to remove the top shells if the crank is still in place?

You may be lucky, it all depends how long and fast he drove for with the low oil pressure warning on

With the sump off he's able to get to both bearings (push the piston up to get to the top one) so it actually seems quite easy to replace. The problem he now has is the Conrod cap bolts are a "use once" item and we just cannot find replacements.

It may be an engine swap is the only answer - although it may not be economically viable.

Thanks for replying to the post.

21 minutes ago, Steve2k said:

Posted in error!

37 minutes ago, Steve2k said:

The problem he now has is the Conrod cap bolts are a "use once" item and we just cannot find replacements.

https://www.burtonpower.com/ might be worth asking if you haven't already.

Also something in this thread on another forum:

https://www.fordforums.com/threads/stuggling-to-find-bolts-for-the-conrod-cap.323288/

3 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

https://www.burtonpower.com/ might be worth asking if you haven't already.

Also something in this thread on another forum:

https://www.fordforums.com/threads/stuggling-to-find-bolts-for-the-conrod-cap.323288/

Thanks Eric, that's my son's post on another forum. Unfortunately the only place people have been able to find is actually out of stock and they aren't getting anymore on. Apparently they haven't sold any since 2001 so no longer stock them.

4 minutes ago, Steve2k said:

Thanks Eric, that's my son's post on another forum. Unfortunately the only place people have been able to find is actually out of stock and they aren't getting anymore on. Apparently they haven't sold any since 2001 so no longer stock them.

Thought it was a coincidence! As suggested there you might get somewhere with ARP if you had the precise size/spec? Catalogue viewable via this UK site:

https://www.enginepartsuk.net/arp-studs-bolts