Thread: Head Issue ??

My TDi300 decided to leak from the welch (welsh?) plugs on the passenger side of the engine block. See if there is any green goo down there.

I let the coolant get too low and it did do the head gasket, so definitely worth keeping an eye on the coolant level.

If there's no bubbling back through the header tank, you might still be OK. Hope so for your wallet's sake.
Cheers
David

Hmmm... The loss of coolant doesn't sound good but then again it could be leaking from somewhere you haven't found yet. The cold starting/spluttering doesn't sound good either as the TDi lumps are usually happy starting even without glow plugs.

Two things you could try to see if it makes any difference:

1 - Go to a different servo to fill up.
2 - Check the sedimenter to see if it's full of water.

HTH

Mark.

get an oil analysis done pronto. This will tell you if there is any coolant in the oil.
http://www.e-monitor.com.au/
I've used ALS for years and I actually use a more comprehensive service from them called wear check. 'e-monitor' is their most basic, cheapest test, and it will tell you what you need to know.

The sedimenter is a good
call.. when I bought the Pig the previous owner had changed the fuel filter but never touched the sedimenter. When I serviced it it was a mess. I unscreed the drain valve and nothing came out I used a bit of wire to unblock it and it was discoloured, of it came for a good clean and it was way crappy.. So well worth a look.

yep the bad news is I think you're right (I've done 4 - 300 tdi head gaskets myself in different cars over the years and the water loss is a dead giveaway)
I'd bet $50 you've done a head gasket
get the head off now before you do more damage (esp if you hydraulic lock or cook it)
get the head checked for straightness, cracks & hardness before refitting
any luck it will be OK
if its gone warped, soft or cracked you'll need a new Head do NOT machine a tdi head (they are surface hardened and machine cuts the hardening off) great way to do another head gasket in a few months

while your doing the job get your radiator disassembled a rodded clean (not just flushed) I recommend this to anyone with a tdi every 100,000kms or 2 years max, they block up cause it to run a little warm and cause most of the head troubles (& no the factory temp gauge wont pick this up it's useless, by time the temp gauge goes up it's too late)

Heads are not cheap, if you need one let me know and I'll point you in the right direction

good luck
Jase

Well.......jobs right !

A mate had the Disco for 2 days (who has been playing with LR for years), pressure tested to 15psi for the whole two days and it dropped about 2 psi, and found 5 leaks from around the place, inc a very small weep from the front cover seal (will replace when I do the timing belt).....but its not a head gasket !!

Going to get new rad cap, top and bottom rad hose's, Bi pass hose and inlet & outlet Heater hoses....all looking a little tired.

So thanks to all with idea's and help.

That is better news.

While your at it, and if it hasn't been done already, replace the plastic plugs in the radiator and thermostat housings with brass items. The plastic ones have a tendency to break and need destroying to remove.

Early rangies had the brass ones in their radiators, or a number of places have replacements.

Originally Posted by Bush65

That is better news.

While your at it, and if it hasn't been done already, replace the plastic plugs in the radiator and thermostat housings with brass items. The plastic ones have a tendency to break and need destroying to remove.

Early rangies had the brass ones in their radiators, or a number of places have replacements.

It is good insurance to change these plugs to brass. I bought a roof rack from a '96 Defender and the guy told be he did a 300 Tdi motor within 20 seconds of one of the plugs failing. He noticed steam but drove accross and intersection before pulling over - too late!

He showed me the other plug and it was rubbish. Too little plastic in the sucker. Cost him $10,000 for the repairs and that was about 8 years ago.