Check Engine

[tmccar]

The "check engine" light comes on when I start my 1998 Corsa 1.0, and it goes out after a while. I have also noticed that it seems to be burning oil, judging by the smoke coming from the exhaust, and the engine is rather noisy.
What should I check for please?

[johnny]

What colour smoke? Stanard exhaust? Does it run rough if light on/off? Have checked/changed/tested anything? Its hard to say anything from the info you gave

[tmccar]

It's blue smoke. Yes, it sounds rough whether the check engine light is on or off. The water pump seems a bit noisy and I had a look underneath - there is a joint on the exhaust line that is made of flexible wire mesh and this seems to be split.

[johnny]

Flexi pipe split would cause an awfull noise and drop power quite alot but if it puffing blue smoke thats new engine type bad, means a rebuilt head or new piston rings and the bore skimmed or a new engine is normally cheaper

[tmccar]

Is the flexi pipe a standard part of the exhaust system, or is this where the previous owner cut and rejoined part of the pipe?

[johnny]

Flexi pipe is standard in.all.cars, a solid pipe would break with all the movement of the engine

[andy w]

I would say rings aswell cheaper to replace engine