300tdi defender died in Southern Spain....

Hi All
Well i drove my defender successfully all the way from suffolk down to the south of Spain last week with no troubles at all! Unfortunately at 3am this morning while driving back to Calais the car just died. It was running fine then the next minute there was a slight change in engine note and it rolled to a stop. Wouldn't re start or even attempt to turn over.
Battery was holding 14 Volts and all dash lights illuminated.

The car has had a the injector pump reconditioned and a new lift pump and had a full rebuild a couple of years ago - there isnt much that hasn't been replaced.

So it is now with a local mechanic and I was wondering if anyone has any ideas what the problem could be?
Also if anyone is in the Huescar area of Spain and wants to do some translations that would be great

Cheers
J

Just so you know it is a 95 300tdi defender. No immobilizer or any other electrical stuff

Cam belt snapped so engine is locked up and won't turn over?

Oh, and I'm off out now so can't help any more until I get back but others will be along shortly I'm sure.

Cam belt should be OK as still has 30k left on it... but yes that did cross my mind
Im now hoping it could be the fuel stop solenoid?

You said it won't attempt to turn over.
It'll still turn over but won't start if the solenoid has lost power.

Bugger... good point! What is worst case scenario to repair all the bits if the cam belt has snapped - thinking cost/time wise?

Could it be a seized alternator, I seem to remember the lights going out as it rolled to a stop. There were no noises or rough running just driving along noticed a slight change in engine note (bit like fuel starvation) battery and oil light came on and it then rolled to a stop. It had a new fan belt just before I left and the top pulley replaced as it was seized.

Oh well, suppose ive just got to wait until Tuesday when the mechanic can take a look.

Well if the alternator is seized you could pull the fan belt off and see if it will turn over.

As long as it does not run for any length of time as obviously the water pump is not going to be turning.

or you could pull the stop solenoid plug off to stop it running.

Cheers

If the battery is holding 14 volts I'd say the alternator is ok. As it is refusing to turn over I'd check the starter motor first, then investigate if coolant has found its way into the combustion chamber and has hydraulically locked the motor up. How is the coolant level?

Will it turn backwards ? or at all, use a suitable socket and bar on the crank ...

Snapped cam belt will still let the starter turn the crank.

IamRobbie said:

Snapped cam belt will still let the starter turn the crank.

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Unless you have a well bent valve that wont let the piston over TDC

Kwakerman said:

Unless you have a well bent valve that wont let the piston over TDC

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I guess so. Anything is possible I suppose lol

i should be setting off in October to Spain - how did you get on with the fault?