200tdi Engine problem

[Ridgeback]

I have a 200tdi, it sounds like its running on 3 cylinders. The engine smokes very bad and when you take the oil cap off, its go lots of back pressure.
I was thinking it must be a piston/rings.
before I start looking, does any one know what else could cause this?

[JIMBOBLY]

could be a cracked piston,what colour is the smoke mate?

[Ridgeback]

Dark blue/black and lots of it

[Range Rover Blues]

Disconnect the oil breather to make sure it's not runing on it's own oil if there is lots of pressure in the crank.  There will always be some pressure there of coourse but it doesn't sound good.  Black smoke is excessive fuel BTW, or oil which might result from a piston problem.

[Ridgeback]

I think is time to take the head off and have a look then.

If the piston has gone and the bore is OK, can you get away with just changing the piston over.

I don't want to be doing a full engine rebuild, the landy is not worth spending that amount on.

[biggerlandy]

as long as there is no majour lip on top of bore or you have not burred up the bore badly you can change pistons in situ. its a naughty trick but you can do it you will have to hone bore out aswell. if you need to replace pistons drop the sump take oil pump and you will see ladder frame middle two are easy piston 1 and 4 you will see a hole under big end too small to get to cap etc with a drill or dremmil a little bit enlarge the hole so you can just get to nuts and cap etc    LIKE I SAID YES ITS NAUGHTY BUT I HAVE DONE IT MANY TIMES AND ALL OK  oh and after if you do it engine wash and lots of water into the engine

[Ridgeback]

as long as there is no majour lip on top of bore or you have not burred up the bore badly you can change pistons in situ. its a naughty trick but you can do it you will have to hone bore out aswell. if you need to replace pistons drop the sump take oil pump and you will see ladder frame middle two are easy piston 1 and 4 you will see a hole under big end too small to get to cap etc with a drill or dremmil a little bit enlarge the hole so you can just get to nuts and cap etc    LIKE I SAID YES ITS NAUGHTY BUT I HAVE DONE IT MANY TIMES AND ALL OK  oh and after if you do it engine wash and lots of water into the engine

Sound like a common fault with the 200tdi then?
I assume you mean flush the engine out because of the swarf caused by drilling?
How long did it take you, I have worked on engines before (worked at Costworth) so I'm not to bad with a spanner but sound like a fiddly job if I have to drill extra holes. Is this a full day job?

[Les Henson]

Your head gasket may be blowing to the camshaft side of the engine - causing a lot of pressure. I would take the head off and have a look, then go from what you find.


Les.

[biggerlandy]

yes sorry just to flush out due to swarth i did my first one like that in about a day only fidly bit is making the hole a little bigger

[Ridgeback]

Thanks for all your answers.

I have the day off tomorrow so will get the head off and start looking.

[Ridgeback]

All done and running :lol:

It was the head gasket. It blew between pot 4 and the oil way.