Water in sump, block AND rocker case!!!!!!

Hi Guys,

A little history to my tale of woe...

Series 2a with a 2.5NA 14J engine.

The engine has not started for eleven years. When I got it one of the core plugs was missing. Replaced core plug, fitted new glow plugs, fresh diesel and a big new battery

Cranking the engine and it was making all the right sounds as if it was trying to start. Lots of black smoke from exhaust but engine never actually ran.

I started to fill the radiator in case the engine ran but after 4 or 5 5ltr containers figured something was not quite right

No water under car so where had it all gone? Checked dip stick and found where water was

Took head off and this is what I found:

No.1 bore flooded
No. 2 & 3 at top dead center but seemed dry.
No. 4 a little oily but what you would expect for an old engine.

When I removed the rocker cover water was everywhere!

The head gasket was intact but at the front, by bore No.1, it was covered in old oil.

Water water every where except in the rad!

So am I lucky and it's just a new head gasket or is there possibly another internal core plug? The core plugs in the head under the rockers seem OK.

What do you think guys?

you can see all the core plugs in block and head with head off clean well and look for cracks too

Cheers James,

I'll clean everything up and have a good look. If it's just a core plug that's no problem. But cracks,,,

I've had this problem twice. The first time was due to a crack in the head. On that occasion I was getting small amounts of water in the sump.

I had a similar problem with my replacment head but with lots more water (including in one or two of the cylinders as you described). On that occasion it was because the replacment head was warped.

OK fixed and running like a kitten!

New head gasket, new injector seals, "home recon" of injectors refit head core plugs, apply enough goo...

Bloody big battery and jump it off company car New glow plugs, reset timing on pump,

Bit of a rewire and hey presto :car:

Nice one! They are not trivial jobs.