SOS stuck in Russia engine knackered.

in our j reg 110 diesel currently on our way to Mongolia, in deepest darkest Russia and 100km from Kurgan engine went. Loud knocking when running and sound like only three pots running properly. in a garage but mechanics arent the most proactive. Engine will be pulled tomorrow but time running out with visa. nearest land rover garage 250km west but worried they wont be able to get 200tdi parts out here.

any ideas?
checked injectors, turbo free to turn, sump off no bits in there. timing good. engine turns over by hand but difficult to turn over in places.

My guess would be a broken piston ring or small end worn. More likely the small end but could also be the big end bearing. Before they start taking the head off,and as you have the sump off already, remove the bearing on the big ends and see if the bearing shell has scored/worn. Not sure but you may also feel for play in the small end bearing while its removed from the crank. Look for scoring in the barrel. Good luck.

on a 200tdi my first look would have been rocker shaft

jamesmartin said:

on a 200tdi my first look would have been rocker shaft

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Upon reflection this would be a better initial check. If the oil has done too many miles it could have blocked an oil port, lack of lubrication to shaft and rockers. Correct James?

had rocker cover off looked alright but only did that as a quick check on the side of the road, so could look again. cant see much of big end bearings because of ladder frame. will try that before the mechanics start ripping things apart. the mechanics seemed to think it was no.1 pot that was the offending one so can only just see it through small hole in ladder frame

thanks for advice will see what happens tomorrow.

Problem found, the camshaft bolt had come loose!!! explains knocking. but that was only after the head had been removed. now trying to source a 200tdi head gasket in Russia. best quote so far 10 days to get here, its not looking too good, visa runs out in 12

Llew said:

Problem found, the camshaft bolt had come loose!!! explains knocking. but that was only after the head had been removed. now trying to source a 200tdi head gasket in Russia. best quote so far 10 days to get here, its not looking too good, visa runs out in 12

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Head bolts and count the holes on gasket

Grease monkeys properly cocked up the job. Didnt locate wood ruff key. Long and short of it wood ruff key pushed into oil seal at back of camshaft, CHip out of camshaft, bolt came undone again, this time though was held in place by timing belt cover so pushed camshaft back as it unscrewed, oil pump then not suppling enough oil,as not mated with gear, bearings wiped. valves might be ok as cam followers dislocated off lobes.
Next time just do the job yourself.
Landy having a winter in Russia, next year journey continues.

that's a bugger