These symptoms...all point to what?

rustyrhinos · Oct 28, 2009

Land Rover has started being strange...

Crustyness combined with build up of black deposits on the first spark plug (to the point where I could just about make out the tip of the plug) - all of the others appear to be fine and with correct colour etc. White smoke - all of the time, not just on startup, or when either hot or cold. Loss of power and can just tell it's not running right (off-beat). I have cleaned the offending spark plug and symptoms still occur.

All point to head gasket? Or is there something else it could be that I am not thinking of? Worth replacing leads and plugs just incase? Or would that be pointless?

If it was running generally lean or rich or the timing was out, I would expect all of the spark plugs to show to that effect?

(2.25 1963 Petrol)

gemsdad · Oct 28, 2009

rustyrhinos said:
Land Rover has started being strange...

Crustyness combined with build up of black deposits on the first spark plug (to the point where I could just about make out the tip of the plug) - all of the others appear to be fine and with correct colour etc. White smoke - all of the time, not just on startup, or when either hot or cold. Loss of power and can just tell it's not running right (off-beat). I have cleaned the offending spark plug and symptoms still occur.

All point to head gasket? Or is there something else it could be that I am not thinking of? Worth replacing leads and plugs just incase? Or would that be pointless?

If it was running generally lean or rich or the timing was out, I would expect all of the spark plugs to show to that effect?

(2.25 1963 Petrol)

that plug is not firing,change plugs and leads.

rustyrhinos · Oct 28, 2009

Fair enough, thanks

kelly007 · Oct 29, 2009

yeah, get that sorted out first. Also pull the lead off , and connect it to a new spark plug that you touch the ground of to the engine block. And try start it to test for a spark, once you have made sure you getting a strong spark and the engine continues to run like that. then you could look at the head gasket, possibly also a valve problem on that cylinder. Do the tappets maybe before taking the head off, suppose it could be possible that one is terribly loose?
edit: dont hold the spark plug when you try test for spark

rustyrhinos · Oct 29, 2009

Thanks, yeah, should have thought of that to test the spark. Will check the spark on the plug that is fouling first just out of curiosity. Went into Halfords to buy a set of plugs and leads - no blodey chance, too expensive! So ordered a set from lrseries.com.

kelly007 · Oct 31, 2009

Hope its a simple solution, please let us know what happens

rustyrhinos · Oct 31, 2009

Well - I have spark on all 4 plugs and managed not to electricute myself which is good.

I noticed that yet again plug 1 has oil build up on it again - all the others are fine.

Also notice I get a lot more white smoke when the engine is warm. Infact a heck of a lot more - had to turn it off as I felt like I was going to stop breathing or pass out!

nathan5346 · Oct 31, 2009

rustyrhinos said:
Well - I have spark on all 4 plugs and managed not to electricute myself which is good.

I noticed that yet again plug 1 has oil build up on it again - all the others are fine.

Also notice I get a lot more white smoke when the engine is warm. Infact a heck of a lot more - had to turn it off as I felt like I was going to stop breathing or pass out!

Oil build up on plugs can point to worn bores/piston rings or valve guides... so its says on the spark plug guide

rustyrhinos · Oct 31, 2009

Indeed!
Would be handy if I had a compression test kit.

fanatic · Oct 31, 2009

rustyrhinos · Oct 31, 2009

What?

fanatic · Oct 31, 2009

Head Gasket Failure particularly on the white smoke unless it was unburnt diesel, but yours is petrol

rustyrhinos · Oct 31, 2009

Ah right I should have guessed that hgf means really considering the context! Yeah that is what I suspected was a likely cause. Could be rings or cracked head I guess. I was thinking of popping down to Halfords and getting a cheap compression test tool - that way I can do a dry and wet test and find out if it is head or rings.

fanatic · Oct 31, 2009

guessing your miles from me but I have both compression leak down tester and a compression tester with several adapters.
Without stripping it it could be cracked head, but hgf more normal.

rustyrhinos · Oct 31, 2009

Yup miles away. Halfords have the test kits for £18.99 - cheaper than taking to the garage to get a test so I guess it's worth it.
Rather it be a head gasket! On Series landies are the heads normally OK or is it worth getting it checked and skimmed if needed?

fanatic · Oct 31, 2009

generally I have never seen a problem with series heads.
I personally always skim alloy heads-but steel heads an engineers straight edge is ok to check with.
If your not sure get it skimmed
white smoke is un burnt glycol in antifreeze.
does the plug look either steam cleaned or rusty?

rustyrhinos · Oct 31, 2009

The plugs look neither steamed cleaned or rusty - all of them are the typical browny cream colour apart from plug one which is black

fanatic · Oct 31, 2009

I'd rip the head off and look, a compression test will at least give an idea of what's happening

rustyrhinos · Oct 31, 2009

Yup. Halfords tomorrow I think - I am sure their cheapo testers will be more than sufficient for my needs. I don't need to isolate the fuel pump do I really on a Series landie? I can isolate spark as I can turn the engine over without ignition.

fanatic · Oct 31, 2009

pull king lead, full throttle and crank

These symptoms...all point to what?

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NOT BOTHERED.

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RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

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RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

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RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

Well-Known Member

RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

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RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

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RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

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