C30 Body : Reason for marks on bonnet shut panel?

[2.4TSE]

Decided to take a look tonight as I have a well lit garage and strong sunlight can actually put things in to such stark contrast that they are hard to see.

I believe that the car has never been accident repaired. All paint "spatter", visible primer, and the way that bolts are painted or not is symmetrical from one side of the car to the other and exactly as I would expect from the factory. The metal shut panel has not been straightened, and the headlights both bear production dates a few days apart and several months before the car was built.

The engine however has certainly been out. No doubt about it on close inspection further than the marks that started this thread; all engine mount bolts have tell-tale shiny marks from undoing them as well as tightening them up; the round metal cannister to the right of the first photo has been dropped on to the chassis rail and marked it; all visible bolts for the engine-gearbox flange have marked paint; the two jubilee clips connecting air box to turbo induction pipe are newer and different to the others; the gearbox selector cable conduits have marked their retaining clip from being removed and re-inserted.

Surely though if the gearbox or clutch needed to be replaced it could be done with the engine in situ given the plastic wheel arch liner below the chassis rail level?

[jasonb]

anything on the log book about an engine change?

[2.4TSE]

I just telephoned the extremely helpful supplying dealer that also performed all the maintenance. They confirmed the service receipts and check lists that I have, plus - and this solves the mystery - that they changed a clutch release bearing. I asked what the procedure is to do this and part of it includes removing the engine and gearbox assembly from the car. Given the complete absence of even the slightest hint of any crash repair and I am sure this is the pukka reason for the marks that I described.

Incidentally, replacing the clutch release bearing fits with a comment on the 18k service paperwork "investigate clutch operation - no fault found". No fault may have been found then but the customer had picked up on something that did eventually need attention.

Thanks for the help guys and for getting me to look carefully and realise that the engine had in fact been out.

2.4TSE

[Jonnieb2009]

Perhaps engine hasnt been out but lowered to replace gearbox that may have gone when towing caravan? Its a small car to tow a caravan.
The marks might be from chains support of a engine lifting crane?

Its just a guess but as you say its nice to know the history of your car.

[2.4TSE]

No, it's the original gearbox and only the clutch release bearing was replaced for which the assembly was lifted up and out. This is confirmed by most of the marks on the car having matching marks on engine and gearbox componentry.

[markt1]

Nothing to worry about mate all well

[2.4TSE]

Thank heavens!

[mjcourtney]

Sounds like whoever did the work was a bit clumsy though! Had the engine and gearbox replaced in my 05 S40 by Volvo under warranty and there's not a mark to be seen!