Steaming Disco - help please

[DiscoveRay]

My pal Gary has a 1996 3.9 petrol auto Disco.

Engine runs fine, after warming up, plumes of white smoke from exhaust. Coolant expansion tank getting lots of air in it (then going down and up again - not boiling) There is also a strong smell of petrol from the coolant, but no sign of oil.

Both heads been off and checked, gaskets replaced.

Inlet manifold also replaced.

Any ideas?

If the engine has gone porous and needs to be replaced, will a 300tdi 'drop in'? Car is in lovely condition so he doesn't want to scrap it - advice please.

Thanks

[solihull-mick]

Does sound like head gaskets to me, a 300 tdi will go in, but the gearbox and mounts will ahve to be changed, also a wiring move round will need to be done,

[Range Rover Blues]

Agreed, sounds very like gaskets, porous block would have to be way bad to do that, it tends to be consumption of coolant after turning off a hot engine because when i's running the combustion pressure keeps the coolant at bay.

Did you get the heads skimmed and did youe composite head gaskets? if no to both then I suspect that's your problem.

Another issue I've had is the inlet manifold gasket folding when you assemble the fuel system, it's very hard to check visually.

[DiscoveRay]

OK Fellas, thanks for that, I'll pass on your comments.

[Budgie]

I had a 3.5 Rangie with a crack in the block between the water jacket & No1 cylinder. This gave the same symptoms as a blown head gasket.
Worth a check though, as it sounds like the heads will have to come off again anyway.

[Chris Putt]

One of my pals has a 3.5 V8 sat in his shed if your interested?- Dont think he'll want a lot for it!!

Chris

[Budgie]

Thanks for thought Chris but the Rangie had now gone, I got a new engine off Ebay and rebuilt it. This was all about 2 years ago.  ;)

[bogie]

V8 r great when they r gud,but when they go wrong bin em! they drink 2much !!!!! Go 4 a 200,they r old school,cheap 2 recon and a 5 year old can understand them. A few simple tweaks is all that is needed!

[Range Rover Blues]

You can say the same about a TDi.  My V8 doesn't run away with itself and blow up when the turbo looses an oil seal, my head gasket set costs less than 40 quid, I CAN skim my cylinder heads, they don't cost me £500 to replace....

Need I go on? ANY engine is a liabilty when it goes wrong and in my experience there is little to choose between the two when they are poorly.

[DiscoveRay]

And the problem is.....lifting cylinder liner!

Apparently these are cast in the block, there is a mod, bit like an inverted top hat, but it's an expensive job and not guaranteed to last.

Best place for a recon 3.9 anyone? Local if possible.

Ray