Advice re top end oil leak and smoke from oil filler

Hi ...Just sorted one oil leak on my ’92 Defender 200 TDi when I noticed more oil on the floor this morning. The old leak was a rear crank seal. This one is coming from the head were the cyclonic separator joins. I’ve also got smoke coming from the oil filler and a wet dipstick tube at the top. My immediate thought was rings but after a bit of research could it be the head gasket? The smoke is more evident at tick over than higher revs and it seems odd that there is not excessive pressure when I put my hand over the filler hole. Engine starts, runs fine and seems to pull well but I have also noticed a “panting/chuffing” noise when I take the filler cap off. No signs of any coolant issues, oil in water etc… I was wondering what my next step is regarding diagnosis and any advice will be gratefully received…cheers all... jem

Maybe post a video up.
All engines breath/smoke/chuff to some extent.
The cyclone breather o-rings perish, I always use a bit if silicone as well as a new o-ring.
Have you put your hand down the back of the head, between head and bulkhead to see if its blowing?

could be a few things ,check tappets and all valves open fully first

Thanks, here's a link to a video

jem90 said:

Thanks, here's a link to a video

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Could well be a blown head gasket. Try taking the cover off and starting it up, might be pretty obvious.
And while you are at it, check through the tappets.

Thanks Turboman, tappets seem fine but lots of smoke coming from last valve guide...headgasket? I've read it's a common place for them to blow?

jem90 said:

Thanks Turboman, tappets seem fine but lots of smoke coming from last valve guide...headgasket? I've read it's a common place for them to blow?

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It is! And to me, that looks like a gasket blowing into the pushrod tube.

jem90 said:

Thanks Turboman, tappets seem fine but lots of smoke coming from last valve guide...headgasket? I've read it's a common place for them to blow?

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Also look like some smoke from the front too.

I havent a clue but reckon its head off time, my tdi in the s2 sounded just like that as it ran on 3 cyls as inj pump packed up, but no chuff from oil cap.
Lets hope its gasket as gasket is cheap

Thanks for the input all...I agree, guess it's time to get the head off and see what's going on. Never done this job on a 200tdi before but all seems fairly straight forward apart from those lovely problems that stop you in your tracks when everything is going well... I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again and I hope you're right lynal and TM...just the gasket and nowt more serious... although I'll get the head skimmed as a matter of course as well. Ta!

Ive had a few heads of 200 and 300 and never got the head skimmed, the head bolts are good to be reused up to 5 times.
Use a pukka head gasket not a cheap one, even the pukka ones are sensible money.
Change manifold gasket whilst you are there
Dont lose the lash caps off the top of the valve stems, only pennies just a pita when you cannot find the last one!
As its a proper def 200 engine change the stat housing to head gasket whilst head off as its almost mission impossible in situ.
Also when head off have a good look with a torch down at the cam followers as again to change its head off.

jem90 said:

Thanks for the input all...I agree, guess it's time to get the head off and see what's going on. Never done this job on a 200tdi before but all seems fairly straight forward apart from those lovely problems that stop you in your tracks when everything is going well... I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again and I hope you're right lynal and TM...just the gasket and nowt more serious... although I'll get the head skimmed as a matter of course as well. Ta!

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It isn't a bad job. Make sure you use a quality gasket. Payen or Elring, LRP will have all the bits in stock, I would think.
I don't think they usually skim those heads, unless the face is badly damaged.
I could always pop up and give you a hand if yu like?

Cheers for that lynall and I'd really welcome a hand if you've got the time TM

Turboman to the rescue, we need sound effects on this forum
Dont forget pics.

jem90 said:

Cheers for that lynall and I'd really welcome a hand if you've got the time TM

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I am around this week, happy to give you a hand to get it off if you like. We could have a look at the gasket, and the state of the head re skimming.
I shall PM yu!

Haha, it's not Thunderbirds TM!!

Got the head off today. Nice sunny day for it as well. Turboman popped over just as I was about to start on the head bolts so we had a natter etc..We both agreed that the problem is a blown gasket at number 4. If anyone has any other opinion I would be very grateful to hear. Cheers and thanks to TM.

No probs. Quite hopeful that will prove to be a straightforward worn out gasket. Didn't see any sign of cracking or warping on the head, pistons and bores looked very good, as would be expected on a Tdi at that mileage.

Cheers mate, have a good break. Catch up when you get back.

You need a new cyl head locating dowel
ETC8352