My 100 300tdi used to be perfect - no smoke at startup, quiet idle and good for 100mph (honest - 105 once downhill)
However a couple of months ago two small noises started - one a light metallic rattle - like petrol engine pinking, the other a knock much like a stuck hyraulic lifter as it ruins a cam (I know there are no hd's in a 300 tdi). At first - just subtle noise and no difference to performance. The dealer couldn't even hear what I could... but it's progressed over the past weeks.
But now. Smoke on start, smoke until warm, pronounced knock at idle, idles likes it's running on 3 cylinders, definately down on power but only a little. I did check the tappets but all ok and no diff afterwards.
The noises do not get worse at speed and performance seems fairly normal.
I was wondering if it's the cambelt tensioner that has let the timing go out a little and engine speed corrects it - but it's not like petrol advance/retard is it? (and I'm risking a big bang) A duff injector? A cam lobe that's failing? FIE?.
I'm can normally diagnose petrol engines quite easily but don't have a ton of diesel / 300tdi experience so any ideas would be much appreciated if someone's seem this before.
However a couple of months ago two small noises started - one a light metallic rattle - like petrol engine pinking, the other a knock much like a stuck hyraulic lifter as it ruins a cam (I know there are no hd's in a 300 tdi). At first - just subtle noise and no difference to performance. The dealer couldn't even hear what I could... but it's progressed over the past weeks.
But now. Smoke on start, smoke until warm, pronounced knock at idle, idles likes it's running on 3 cylinders, definately down on power but only a little. I did check the tappets but all ok and no diff afterwards.
The noises do not get worse at speed and performance seems fairly normal.
I was wondering if it's the cambelt tensioner that has let the timing go out a little and engine speed corrects it - but it's not like petrol advance/retard is it? (and I'm risking a big bang) A duff injector? A cam lobe that's failing? FIE?.
I'm can normally diagnose petrol engines quite easily but don't have a ton of diesel / 300tdi experience so any ideas would be much appreciated if someone's seem this before.
