Engine trouble wont start

300tdi auto now wont start after a loud rattling noise for few miles with rev counter fluctuating at idle then engine light came on.
its currently down a lake im fishing so will need to be towed home.
Anyone give any clues to what to look for to save me a big headache as engine knowledge not to good but can do most things or anyone in reading area kind enough have a listen so i can sort it as funds aint great so cant take it to a garage plus half the funs fixing them...thats what i keep telling myself anyway
New starter fitted couple wks ago and was fine until the noise started
Doesnt turn over though kinda trys to

battery flat ?

No battery fine starters turning sounds like its engaging flywheel but not turning over

that could be broken drive plate if starter engages and spins but doesnt turn motor over, fluctuating rev counter is either a poor connection or poor alt

Ok anyway of checking or how u recommend go about it? Any info in haines or rav?

remove starter and prise drive plate round if it turns without moving engine its bust ,would need engine or box out to fit another

Thanks james always helpful
Will get it home in the morning and check

Could the alternator have siezed ? Try starting it without the aux belt on.

surely the torque of the 300tdi would just make the belt squeel or snap if the alt is seized?
I would go with a knackered drive plate or a valve dropped as I had a valve snap and turn in it's seat on my vauxhall nova van but that still ran just gutless and alot of tapping

Animal88 said:

surely the torque of the 300tdi would just make the belt squeel or snap if the alt is seized?
I would go with a knackered drive plate or a valve dropped as I had a valve snap and turn in it's seat on my vauxhall nova van but that still ran just gutless and alot of tapping

Click to expand...

a seized alt and a good belt will prevent engine turning as if batteries flat , but if starter spins over but engine doesnt turn its either not engaging ring gear or drive plates bust

So finally had chance to look at this.
Starter off and the drive plate spins by hand easily so will be taking box off the wkend
Just so im clear whats likely to have happened?
If bolts have sheared id have thought drive plate would be floating/moving about? Or is there something else that would stop that?
All the teeth are fine.

its sandwiched between other parts and holes rip through

Any other parts or special tools needed? Doing it on the ground no ramps any tips make things easier. Thinking a pallet pump truck to aid in lowering the box down rather than balancing it on a jack!

its better with an engine crane and chain or strop through center tunnel ,no special tools just ensure you ,fit t/c into box before fitting box back to engine and measure depth of t/c mounting lug from bell housing face ,and measure how far drive plate sticks out from engine rear face ,t/c should si further into bellhousing by a mm or 2 than drive plate sits from rear of engine

Sounds a better plan but iv got a pallet truck but no crane will ask about as dont fancy bench pressing a box lol
Cheers yeah read about the tc should become clearer once its infront of me

Some progress made today gearbox pretty much off would have been totally if it wasnt for the pain in the arse to get to top bolt on bell housing, not looking forward to getting that bastard back in!
Another hr an will hopefully see the drive plate and whats wrong
Will add some pics soon for anyone whos interested we all love pics rather than reading lol

Box is off and drive plates deff seen better days
Is it worth buying new ring gear aswell or use the old? All teeth are fine.
View attachment 62232
Also the part it bolts to is churned up on the edges guess this needs changing aswell?
View attachment 62233
Also the kickdown cable has broke on top of box so makes sense why I could never adjust that.

just buy what you need ,kick down cables are often broken where they enter box but usually doesnt effect its operation

Duno what happened to pics here they are..

What the part called the drive plate bolts to? In the last pic u can see the edge damaged would this be ok u think?