[Jac Mac]

Im curious, were you having to add coolant, or to be more correct, was the radiator coolant level dropping each time you used the car.

There are marks/indentations on the oil pump rotors that indicate some circlips or similar parts have tried to pass thru the pump ( yes the wire type circlips can get thru the pickup mesh )

madmaxx's comments in post 137 above are a bit harsh, but I can understand his sentiments, to continue to use any vehicle when it has an obvious problem transfers a large part of the responsibility to you or whomever drives it. I think the term is 'caveat emptor' or ' let the buyer beware'.... probably applies particularly in cars like this..