Catastrophic engine failure on a TD5

Rayor · 7th July 2010, 12:27 PM

Hi all. I'm new to posts and threads and things so I hope I don't break any rules of etiquette or such in the following.

I have a 2004 Disco II TD5 that I have had from new. Recently whilst driving the engine went out of control causing it to race at full revs until it burned out (of diesel in the oil as it happens). Land Rover were absolutely useless in diagnosis just offering to replace the injectors at a cost to me of $7,000 with no guarantee of success.

I took it to West End Diesel in Wetherill Park for evaluation and it transpires that all of the injectors are burned out, two of the pistons were severely worn with the remaining three needing attention, chamber two needs broing and a new sleeve and finally, so far as it is still being evaluated, the crankshaft is fractured beyond serviceability.

West End Diesel are speechless at the catastrophic damage the engine has sustained in it's 72,000kms. I contacted the ACCC and they have shown interest but as Land Rover Australia refuse to acknowledge it I am stuck unless there are others out there like me who have a similar problem and are being shunned by LR. The car was serviced at Trivett for the first three years of it's life and as they would not offer an extended warranty on the car after this period I decided to carry out servicing.

Am I alone in this regard or has anyone else experienced a similar fate with their TD5?

Many Thanks

Rayor

**Slunnie** · 7th July 2010, 12:51 PM

I don't think this is common, but what a shocker!

I would also look at the turbo for damage as this is where the oil may have come from.

Best wishes with it, and I hope you get a resolution with it.

**Redback** · 7th July 2010, 12:55 PM

I can't ever recall anything like that, i've had my TD5 since January 2005 and been on this forum since 2004 and never heard of such a failure.

If it's any consolation there are a few second hand TD5s around for around $4000.

Welcome by the way, Trivett is a long way from Bronte.

Baz.

**waz** · 7th July 2010, 12:55 PM

I remember one other guy posting recently that he had diesel in the oil. Try a search.

Sorry to hear about your problems.

edit - this is the one I was thinking about http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...iesel-oil.html

Waz

Rayor · 7th July 2010, 01:29 PM

Thanks for the suggestions and comments. And so quickly!

Maybe it is a one-off but it still doesn't excuse LR ******** for their wholly unprofessional couldn't-care-less-show-me-your-money attitude. I dread to think what would have happened had my wife been driving with my two young children in the back. The car ran wildly out of control without warning and was veiled in smoke along with the rest of the road within seconds. I removed the key and jumped out of the car but the engine kept on going at full RPM. I genuinely thought it was going to explode.

I decided to recondition the engine with new parts purchased from the UK which works out much cheaper by a long margin. The turbo is being cleaned and tested as I write. I whole heartedly recommend West End Diesel for their excellent service so far and their relaxed attitude to fitting owner supplied parts. It has saved me a small fortune.

I'll let you know what happens as a conclusion but if you hear of a similar issue I would gratefully receive any information.

Thanks again.

**101RRS** · 7th July 2010, 01:33 PM

I guess it pays for all diesel owners to know where the fuel shut off valve is located and how to disconnect power to it. I never knew about such things until mine (FL1) started playing up - it is easy to get too but may not be the case in something like a TD5.

Garry

**Slunnie** · 7th July 2010, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

I guess it pays for all diesel owners to know where the fuel shut off valve is located and how to disconnect power to it. I never knew about such things until mine (FL1) started playing up - it is easy to get too but may not be the case in something like a TD5.

Garry

The TD5 wont have a fuel shut off valve like the older diesel engines, but I suspect in this case the motor got a belly load of oil from somewhere rather than running on with diesel.

**Defender Mike** · 7th July 2010, 01:52 PM

I wonder if this had anything to do with a faulty electronic throttle (fly by wire thingy).

Mike

**Scouse** · 7th July 2010, 02:23 PM

I'd say you've had the sump fill up with fuel from a cracked head or leaky injector seal. I wouldn't say it's a common problem but it's certainly not unheard of.
It's normally caught way before serious damage is done though as when the oil level is checked, you'll see it's overfull. It takes a while to fill the sump up with that much fuel.

Rayor · 7th July 2010, 02:28 PM

As the fuel was already in the oil mix there was literally nothing I could have done even if I do have a fuel cut off. It was fueled from within until it burned out.

Good suggestion Disco Mike. The electronic throttle had failed during warranty period and the only effect it had was to kill the engine whilst driving or to not allow the car to start. Considering the extent of the damage it's likely that the issue was a slow build possibly even from when it was under warranty and not detected. It could have been due to faulty injectors/seals or faulty o-rings amongst several other factors. The head and block seem to be free of cracks.

"Catastrophic Failure" is the term the diesel specialist used and even he is reluctant to suggest what failed first.

p.s. I just saw your post Scott and I would say you are right on the money there

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