1.7TD Head Gasket Blown?

[tricky4a]

Hello Folks,

Driving back home the other night my engine seemed not to be running right, a lack of power.

Got home 2 days later fired it up seemed a struggle to start, and LOTS of blue smoke from the exhaust. The loud tractor noise was what seemed to be a little muted than usual. Tickover was a mare, after a couple of mins everything back to normal up to the shops and back.

Left if for another 2 days then fired up again, this time no blue smoke. BUT there seemed to be a carpet of white like a car running on half choke. the deafening tractor noise was back though!

Opened the bonnet and there seemed to be steam from the RHS of the engine just above the gearbox side. The fan belt has been slipping the last month on the LHS. If this is relevant.

I think that the rad water has gone down a little, but there is no foam in the rad water or bubbles in the oil,

I am going to Ireland next week on Tuesday which is a 500 mile round trip. Any suggestions?

Any help greatly appreciated, off to get some radweld as a first resort.

Richard

 

[sludgeguts]

If the coolant level is lower, you might be losing some via the HG. Best taking it to a mech who can pressure test the coolant system and do a sniff test.
You might also have the mayo in the rockerbox, a nice dollop under the oil filler cap or even on the dipstick - although this is also a sign of too many short journeys causing condensation inside the engine.

 

[tricky4a]

this is why I am wondering.

The coolant appears to be lower, but I have looked in the oil filler cap, just black oil, dipstick, again black oil.

I am almost certain I felt a spray of water from the LHS of the engine. Is there anything on that side where there is water?

I am looking for the usual signs of a head gasket failure, but is it? Is there something else that would give these symptoms. The majority of journeys I do are 50 miles plus at an average speed down the motorway of 50-55mph, so it is not as if I am revving the engine or start stopping it.

The "fanbelt" has been slipping is the water pump on that side? I have been looking for a Haynes but Fiat Fiorino manuals are very thin on the ground.

Regards

Richard

 

[tiposedici300]

Hi , yes possible head gasket , with 3 cylinders running , you would hear a 'tractor ' noise as that 'bad' cylinder will be causing the engine to struggle as the other 3 would be helping it along . Causing very prro erratic idle , low power and smoke as unburnt diesel burns in the hot manifold and exhaust insted.

Bear in mind also :

1) these engines can have problems with the water pump. The impellers are sometimes plastic and can brake its vanes off or the impeller itself can start to rotate freely of the pump shaft , causing side affects and heating up of the engine above normal levels - can weaken a head gasket and help it on its way to blow.

2) If the turbocharger bearings / seals have gone , it will be noisy in operation , causing little or no boost = low power , poor sluggish running ,smoke. Oil pressurised to lubricate the central bearing in the turbo is fed high pressure from the main oil gallary , so if the turbo should fail , oil will be blown into the turbos housing and be burnt as its sucked into the cylinders with the air and or the exhaust side . This will again cause poor idle / running , low power and a lot of smoke . Well worth checking for play on the turbo charger impeller by removing the intake that runs from the air filter to the turbo , use your thumb and finger next to it , then try and lift the small 'nut' on the impeller up and down . There should only be a tiny amount or play if any , and the shaft should rotate freely/ smoothly. While the pipes are off , check for oil ingress in the turbo intake arpeture ( some oil misting is common and absolutly fine)

Hope this helps