Engine seized 300tdi

On my way home tonight and there was a dull thud and all the ignition lights came on just as the engine died, got the heap of she-ite to the side of the road and the engine would crank really really slowly. Took the glow plugs out as I thought it might have taken on water (long shot I know) and the glow plugs are covered in oil the worstof which is cylinder No.3 and the engine still won't turn over.....

Any ideas before I start stripping it tomorrow cos if it's totally goosed then it's going straight on Ebay cos I'm sick of it, I've only just put a replacement engine in after the crank got goosed on the last one so not in a great place at the mo and green oval heaps make me savage.....

Chill out. Buy a disco. Run until it's mot runs out. Swap engine. Weigh in.

Head Gasket or valve stem/seal I'd say......

If it's the head gasket why won't it turn over once the glow plugs are removed, as for a discovery don't they also have a green badge?

They certainly do but you don't really want to sell yours do you?

Cam belt? Pull filler cap off and see if rockers are moving when cranking

300tditoy said:

Cam belt? Pull filler cap off and see if rockers are moving when cranking

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I'll guess I'll find out tomorrow but I don't see why the glow plugs are covered in oil

Discokids said:

They certainly do but you don't really want to sell yours do you?

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Yep sick of the heap of ****e

Broken rocker shaft, thrown a valve cap down the pushrod hole ?

Dragonwalker said:

Broken rocker shaft, thrown a valve cap down the pushrod hole ?

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Why would that seize the engine and cause the pushrod to be oily?

No I agree, strange one that is. Possible broken ring but then that doesn't explain slow turning over. Unless of course one problem has highlighted something else that was lying dormant before.

Im watching this thread, and feeling for you, esp after just getting the smoking sorted.

Id be surprised if these are two entirely unrelated things, but we will all know, at some point, i guess?

Good luck!

Slow cranking is either duff starter, low volts, cylinders blocked or something has seized up.....

Whats the oil level like???

if it has burnt out all the oil, the engine could seize up!

Sorry to hear that! Hope its not terminal.

julianf said:

Im watching this thread, and feeling for you, esp after just getting the smoking sorted.

Id be surprised if these are two entirely unrelated things, but we will all know, at some point, i guess?

Good luck!

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Tell me about it, I'd just paid 400 quid for the engine a fortnight ago, just looking at options for getting rid of the whole thing, I'll be far from happy if it's piston/block or crank related

Is the oil still liquid?

Veg oil in the engine oil can cause it to emulsify - i believe that will seize an engine. But does not explain it above the pistons.

remind me what was wrong with the old engine? could you make one good from two bad?

Saint.V8 said:

Slow cranking is either duff starter, low volts, cylinders blocked or something has seized up.....

Whats the oil level like???

if it has burnt out all the oil, the engine could seize up!

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Oil level seemed fine and with glow plugs removed I can't understand why there's any top end pressure stopping it turning over

julianf said:

remind me what was wrong with the old engine? could you make one good from two bad?

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The oil pipe split knackering the crank and big ends and it seemed easier to replace the engine with what I was told was a good engine

If there is no pressure above the piston, there is either pressure below it, or the crank or pistons have seized through lack of lubrication or clearances.

try it with auxiliary belt off