300Tdi Random overheat

hi had the same problems with my 300tdi 110 fitted a new radiator with a extra core row towed a ton and a half camper plus work tools through wet black soil in the gulf for 2 days winching and digging hills mud you name it
hottest she got was about 85 on the vdo. normaly sits about 78 at 95 kmh
towing sits on 80 done 30000ks since then, just got back from point parker near Doomadgee some hell rough tracks and big hills around there .
still runs cool as a cucumber, I highly recommend the extra row on the core
and I use a 50/50 coolant mix changed every 12 months.
regards mudder110.

Just a quick update for anyone interested....

This is how the 130 is looking at the moment.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/11/1516.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/11/1517.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/11/1518.jpg

Since posting here I've had an Adtrad 4 row core put into the radiator, and played with all sorts of things like running without the thermostat, bypassing the heater matrix , etc, etc. The last thing to do was to pull the head. The gasket looked completely intact, and there are no visible signs of cracks or coolant anywhere on the head. So, tomorrow the head goes in for crack testing. For reference, it's a South American head that is 9 years and 110 000 km old.

James.

Not easy to tell, looking at a pic, but it looks to me that combustion gasses have been leaking from #2 across to the nearside of the block and also into one of the water jacket holes, how's about a pic of the combustion side of the head, Regards Frank.

^^ what frank says. i can see at least 3 suspect places. can we see closer pics of head gasket, head and block face?

jc

You're right. The leak across from number 2 ties in with exhaust residue down the side of the block. It was there when I replaced the manifold and turbo and at that point I assumed it was the manifold gasket. 18 months after installing the new gasket and manifold it's still there. This is a pic taken during the turbo installation:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/11/1453.jpg

Stupidly I didn't take a shot of the face of the head and it's in for testing now. I'll take some gasket and block pics tonight.

Thanks again guys :BigThumb:

:( that exhaust residue is more likely from a leaking slip joint where the manifold branch connects to the centre piece.

keep looking.

jc

Here are some more detailed pics. The head was confirmed this afternoon as 'not cracked' and in fact in generally good condition. It's going to be faced and have a valve seat grind done.

Gasket top side:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/11/1414.jpg

Gasket underside:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/11/1415.jpg

Suspect number 2 area, top side (there's definite discolouration on the ring around bore hole):
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/11/1416.jpg

Block:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/11/1417.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...13/11/1418.jpg

James.

that is a strange way to fail for a tdi, and thats pretty much the most obvious blown tdi gasket i have seen for a while, best check the block face too for level, and wasn't there at least a small choofing sound with all that gas leak through the fire ring of number 2????


jc

Quote:

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Originally Posted by justinc

that is a strange way to fail for a tdi, and thats pretty much the most obvious blown tdi gasket i have seen for a while, best check the block face too for level, and wasn't there at least a small choofing sound with all that gas leak through the fire ring of number 2????

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No choofing sound I'm afraid Justin. I hope to get to cleaning up the block and checking for level tonight.

James.