Dead? TD4

Hi. I have 2 TD4s and have overcome most of the usual issues. Latest one seems possibly terminal.
Symptoms:

- Whilst normal driving in 2003 TD4, engine became much louder, like holed exhaust, then stalled.
- No obvious signs of catastrophic failure, no loss or transfer of fluids, not seized
- Cranks over but no firing at all and more worryingly slight knocking/clatter from engine when cranking.
- No error codes (ICarsoft i930).

Any ideas where to start

Stubill said:

Cranks over but no firing at all and more worryingly slight knocking/clatter from engine when cranking.

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Is the front pulley rotating when the engine is cranked?

Nodge68 said:

Is the front pulley rotating when the engine is cranked?

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...and might turn over much quicker than normal if you're angling at a snapped crank - depending on what end's gone.

Might be the chain as well - is there a cover on the TD4 that can be taken off to examine it?

Dunno if the TD4 has both cam and crank sensors, but would it not throw a mismatch code?

GrumpyGel said:

...and might turn over much quicker than normal if you're angling at a snapped crank - depending on what end's gone.

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I do think the crank could have failed, which is why I asked the question. Because the starter drives the gearbox end of the crank, the pulley end won't turn, or turn correctly. This would give a crank/cam timing mismatch which would prevent it starting.

GrumpyGel said:

Might be the chain as well - is there a cover on the TD4 that can be taken off to examine it?

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No way of checking the chain without removing the cam cover.

GrumpyGel said:

Dunno if the TD4 has both cam and crank sensors, but would it not throw a mismatch code?

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It has both crank and cam position sensors. The timing of the cam must match that of the timing of the crank, or starting is inhibited. I don't think it'll flag a code, unless there's an actual fault with either sensor.

Sorry, been away for a couple of days. Thanks very much for your replies. Crank pulley definitely rotates, so hoping that any problems are top end
Question: If its camshaft or chain failure, does anyone know if the td4 is a "safe engine" ie no piston/valve collision?

Sadly, the Td4 is an interference engine, according to Google.

Pop the cam cover off and let us know what you find (pics?!)

Stubill said:

If its camshaft or chain failure, does anyone know if the td4 is a "safe engine" ie no piston/valve collision?

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No as said above, it's not a safe engine. But it's very unusual for the timing chain to fail.