Heavily Breathing 109

Just recently my 109 has been breathing heavily. Not being mechanically minded I wasn't sure what this was. Have since been told that the engine is knackered.


Checked the oil levels yesterday and found they were a bit low. Also, noticed loads of oil all over the engine block and on the leaf springs under where loads of steam/smoke is coming from when the engine is hot.there is also a knocking noise that comes from the left hand side of the engine I think.


What do I need to do to sort this out for the short term? How much could a replacement engine be? And what engine would people suggest? Currently it's a 2 1/4 diesel. And is it still ok to drive?


Any help would be greatly appreciated!

It sounds like your piston rings are buggered. and the compression gasses are been forced past the rings and into the sump. Where it is pressurising your oil and forcing it out of the breather pipe and the dipstick tube.


there are loads of different engines that will fit probably your best bet is to do a search of a few Landy forums. and then look on ebay to see what prices those engines are fetching.

Thanks for that.

Is it a serious issue? Are there any ways of fixing the problem without an engine change and if there are, are they moderately simple to do and not too expensive?

Also, in the mean time, should I stop driving the landy?

TO FIX THIS MEANS REMOVING HEAD, SUMP, pistons, inspecting bores for wear, changing piston rings or possibly pistons which could involve a rebore and then rebuilding the engine, you say that there is steam as well which shouts of head gasket, if you want more info ask. LEE

BBPEarl said:

Thanks for that.

Is it a serious issue? Are there any ways of fixing the problem without an engine change and if there are, are they moderately simple to do and not too expensive?

Also, in the mean time, should I stop driving the landy?

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I wouldn't worry too much about not driving ya landy as It needs a complete rebuild or a new engine anyway. and driving it isn't going to make any difference to it.

The steam is more likely to be smoke from the oil. But if it is steam then as said above Head Gasket has gone. In which case the pistons & rings may well be fine and not need changing at all. Are you losing coolant? Is their any sign of oil in the coolant or creamy brown coloured scum on the filler cap? All signs of a blown head gasket.

just listen to Red

Why cant things be easy! I suppose if I wanted easy motoring I shouldnt have got an old landy!

As for scum on the oil filler cap, cant see any, Was looking yesterday when topping up the oil and all seemed fine there!

definately sounds like piston rings, crankcase compression, as long as the bores aren't damaged it can be a relatively cheap fix, 150 quid could see it done if you do the spannering yourself, are you competent with tools, if so there are enough people here willing to help with advice.LEE

BBPEarl said:

Why cant things be easy! I suppose if I wanted easy motoring I shouldnt have got an old landy!

As for scum on the oil filler cap, cant see any, Was looking yesterday when topping up the oil and all seemed fine there!

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As above check coolant level and dip ya finger in it to see if there's any oil in it. Head Gasket is a simple job if that's what gone?

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/2-5-n-symptoms-81211.html
take a look at this
shows its not too difficult, all engines pretty well the same

Thanks LEE and Redhand. Will have a look at the coolant tomorrow and see if there is any oil in it.

That link to the 2.5 N/A symptoms looks really helpful. Looking at what has been written it shouldnt take too long. Had a look for replacement Pistons with rings and they dont seem too expensive either. Hopefully this shant be a long and tedious job to get it sorted! Although; looking at one bit it says that if the problem isnt sorted quick the engine could blow up!!

Need to rope in the help of a friend who is Landy mad and has a bit of knowledge with this stuff!

Will let you know how it goes!!

Ta!

Looked at the coolant and there is no oil in there.

From what I have read I will now need to look at the piston rings and go from there!

Just been out in the 109. Had problems with a lack of power right through to 3rd gear. Sounded as if the engine was misfiring too. Definately not a happy 109.

Does this still sound as if it is a piston/piston ring problem still??

Diagnosing a bad set of rings or head gasket is not pratical via proxy, I think it would be a good idea to have someone diagnose the engine for you, it'd be worth 25 quid, as you dont wanna be oiking the engine out if it is something non major.
Then decide whether you want to attack it yourself knowing what it is, or get someone else to do it, or swop the engine.
If you swap the engine then a 200tdi out of a disco is a good idea, without the turbo, it'll fit without major mods.
Maybe someone here closer to you might sort it out for a backhander.
If you can borrow a diesel compression tester, or buy one, you could do a compression test which would give a good indication as to the nick of the rings/valves etc.

Edit: actually your not so far from me, however I'm busy at the moment fitting a 300tdi to mi 109, and the mrs wants it done to go on holiday with.

Thanks Dr Pepper. I am taking it to Leeds with the friend I got the 109 from. His friend is a mechanic and will have a look at it to diagnose the problem. When it comes to getting the work done hopefully mates rates will apply!!

yep at least you have that.

I have a petrol engine here if your desperate and want to get shut of it as a runner.

Unless you really want to keep the Landy original, then consider fitting a disco 200tdi engine with the turbo removed. It would probably cost less doing that than reconditioning a 2 1/4 diesel engine and it would run better. There would be a bit of faffing about needed to fit it, but not major surgery.

fenby1976 said:

Unless you really want to keep the Landy original, then consider fitting a disco 200tdi engine with the turbo removed. It would probably cost less doing that than reconditioning a 2 1/4 diesel engine and it would run better. There would be a bit of faffing about needed to fit it, but not major surgery.

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I had considered it but finances wont permit! The 200tdi is something that I would like to get put in to the 109 in the future.

Thanks for the offer Dr Pepper. I am going to wait for the verdict tomorrow and see what is causing the problems and take it from there.

I dunno for sure but they say that the petty and the diesel are the same block, so maybe the head from a diesel would go on petty and the injector pump fits in the dizzy drive I believe, so you could tranfer the guts from yours to a petty engine (the pistons and cam may be diffo, I dont know).
One of the guys will be along soon to explain to us if this is viable or not.

Blocks the same, but that's about it. The pistons are different, as is the cam (although I believe it will run, but better with the right one) and there was much discussion on LZ recently about the crank