TDI300 Overheated on motorway

RAC guy removed thermostat, gave it the once over, put 10l of water in, and daftlett has driven home.
Think I might need to do a few checks & a new thermostat.

The Mad Hat Man said:

RAC guy removed thermostat, gave it the once over, put 10l of water in, and daftlett has driven home.
Think I might need to do a few checks & a new thermostat.

Click to expand...

Are you gonna replace it with a Britpart one?

You haven't bunged up the front of the rad with mud have ya?

I had to fit the number plate on the grill of mine yesterday to get it through its MOT. My landy was running around 6 degs hotter than normal with it on. Luckily the trailer number plate mounts I'd ordered arrived today so I have now re-located it to the winch again.

Well after returning earlier today than I thought, I had a quick poke around. now when at the side of the road, the coolant did NOT pressurise, however, now there seems to be more exhaust gasses out the expansion tank than the exhaust. Also, I checked the coolant level before starting, it was bone dry in there (I started as I only planned to run it for 2-3 seconds).

Its not knocking, but its likely to need a hefty skim. Ill report back tomorrow when I take the head off.

After weighing up the pro's and con's of an engine strip and head skim/pressure test, it might not be financially viable at the moment, which leaves me with 3 choices.

a, Park it up and do the work over a few months (estimated £600 worth of work, due to a potential cylinder head replacement)

b, Sell it as a project to somebody who can find the time, effort and money to fix the issue

c, Find a replacement engine in good order

I know I haven't been a member here for long, but any help and advice would be appreciated.

take head off and see

As James says, it can't hurt to take the head off, and have a look see. At worst it'll give you a much better idea of whether 'real' work needs doing, and the cost of a few gaskets and some time it has to be worth it, 'specially if it isn't the head!

Small Update

Head removed. gasket was intact, but clearly signs of blowing between cyl 2 and cyl 3.








this video shows the exhaust gasses pressuring the water system
20120621_142810.mp4 video by vxedcc - Photobucket

stripped the head down and sent it for pressure testing on friday, got it back yesterday. It was warped and needed a decent skim. Pressure test showed the head had no faults!

Mega Happy

Will get it all rebuilt after lapping the valves in this week

Not such a bad result then .. pleased for you ..

So this is where I left the car last week:







Which brings me quickly onto today's efforts.

And what an eventful 12 hours I have had!

Thought I would replace the P gasket as having read a few threads, and I thought I have half the job completed, I may as well do a full job.

As the image below shows, its failed quite nicely! And I suspect this £2.50 part is the cause of my £400 repair bill!





New one fitted



Going back together




So to the meaty part!

Prime the lift pump, bleed the filter, everything back together, but, left the rocker cover off, turn it over and!!!!! failed to start.

Didn't even cough. It turns over so fast it seems like there is no compression. Having thought about it, we don't think the valves are closing correctly. As they were lapped in, the head skimmed, it leads to think they aren't closing hence no compression and no bang. Will report back tomorrow night when the tappets get reset!

shouldnt and try and start it or spin it on starter till tappets are set

Hindsight is a funny thing James! This is something which didn't cross ouor minds at the time. Hopefully there would have been enough clearance in the piston/valves to allow them to keep clear of each other. If not it'll be another visit to the part shop for 8 valves...

you would have heard

Jeez, but I hope you're lucky with the valves ...

Well I have just been shouting and screaming at the truck!

Done the clearances, 0.2mm

turn the key and...

She fired up first turn of the key!

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! Screams of JOY!

over the moon!

dont forget to check all pipes get hot ,heater and rad when warmed up ,nice feeling when you fix something

Nice.

1 week on and a status update!

The car runs like a dream! Very nice and even more responsive now! Very happy!

Mot due end of month but insurance was up today so took her in regardless! 16 failures, 8 failures regarding rust! Others were very easy to sort. Ill update when welding commences this weekend...
Engine passed emissions fine and comments were made as to how clean and tidy the car was in general!!

well currently the car's life is hanging on a coin toss...

I cant really afford to spend the money required to fix her, and nor can I afford to lose a great deal of money on her.

Its a case of do I offer her as a project (needs inner and outer sills both sides and a rear body mount replacing) or do I break her into bits?

It's been a tough choice, but I have recently taken a new job 2 hours away so the truck isn't economical anymore!

Decision time :/

if youve got space to keep it and another little runaround fer the commute to work then get the little runaround and sort the disco out at your leisure and use it for weekends local runs etc

ps if you post your location there will be someone on here local enough to help with the welding for a few beer tokens