200tdi cracked block?

SpaceDawg · Mar 15, 2016

Hi,

Ok I think I have a leak on the right side of the engine where the manifold is, between two of the core plugs, as anyone ever heard of this before?

jamesmartin · Mar 15, 2016

wouldnt say it was common but possible,

flat · Mar 15, 2016

is it all back together and leaking there then?
Does it coincide with that dodgy deadbolt?

Rustystuff · Mar 15, 2016

SpaceDawg said:
Hi,

Ok I think I have a leak on the right side of the engine where the manifold is, between two of the core plugs, as anyone ever heard of this before?

Yes, My 200 developed a water leak in the block side wall between 3 and 4 cylinder. It would leak out onto the manifold, creating steam ! Couldn't figure out what was happening to start with..... then the rusty water stain started to show down the block.... side wall cracked.. new engine required !!
Can't say for sure what caused it but it had been in for a head gasket some time before it failed..... I wonder if the head bolts weren't torqued correctly or wrong sequence ?
**** happens

Rustystuff · Mar 15, 2016

...... cant even say s h I t happens ??? WTF

jamesmartin · Mar 15, 2016

Rustystuff said:
Yes, My 200 developed a water leak in the block side wall between 3 and 4 cylinder. It would leak out onto the manifold, creating steam ! Couldn't figure out what was happening to start with..... then the rusty water stain started to show down the block.... side wall cracked.. new engine required !!
Can't say for sure what caused it but it had been in for a head gasket some time before it failed..... I wonder if the head bolts weren't torqued correctly or wrong sequence ?
**** happens

thats not uncommon if bolt hole isnt blown out and has some coolant in

lynall · Mar 16, 2016

K-seal

SpaceDawg · Mar 16, 2016

Ok for the bolts etc, the bolt which did not go in perfect creaked when I dialed it in. I did the correct torque sequence and used a dial guage. However, the bolts were all over the place when I took the head off, nothing was done up properly.

I did clean out all the bolt holes and ensured they were all dry and clean, I made a thread chaser and run that in and out a few times to clean the threads.

Where it looks like its leaking is also below and between where the bolts go, the 10mm ones.

What I think I need to do is run the car and get it to some ramps so I can see the leak, I fixed the next hose leak last night but I'll get a new water pump bypass hose.

It is running really well the tappets were done and I had the injectors cleaned when I did the head. Flat I recon I can give you a race now, albeit dripping water.

I'll get a second opinion and if its cracked I''ll be on the hunt for a block as everything else on the engine has been done, and I mean everything now.

At least its not difficult to work on, but I don't have an engine crane thingy.

SpaceDawg · Mar 16, 2016

lynall said:
K-seal

Whats one of them?

SpaceDawg · Mar 16, 2016

flat said:
is it all back together and leaking there then?
Does it coincide with that dodgy deadbolt?

Nope in a different place and the bolt did tighten up just was a bit creaky.

Brown · Mar 16, 2016

SpaceDawg said:
Whats one of them?

Stuff you put in your water that's supposed to fix leaks. There's various products on the market that claim to do this. Probably best seen as a temporary fix.

mojo247 · Mar 16, 2016

My 300tdi had the exact same problem. Managed to sell off the head and other good bits to make up for the cost of a new old one

flat · Mar 16, 2016

Could it be stitch welded?

Maybe talk to turners?

SpaceDawg · Mar 16, 2016

Hmm, I'm getting it up on some ramp Friday, I have the day off work so it will arrive warm, and I'll take it from there, if the block is cracked then I'm going to get a good engine fitted as I want to keep the car....

flat · Mar 16, 2016

With the galv chassis and bulkhead it would be daft not to keep it IMO.

Short engines are available easily, or pick up a cheap disco lump as the block are identical

SpaceDawg · Mar 16, 2016

Dont worry I'm keeping it, just a little frustrated at it.

flat · Mar 16, 2016

Yeah I can understand that

Marmaduke · Mar 16, 2016

Keep at it pal, I'm now a fairly competent engine rebuilder after my recent escapades with my 300tdi

lynall · Mar 16, 2016

SpaceDawg said:
Whats one of them?

Dogs bollacks, lots of people are still afraid of rad seal and thats going back to the crumbly dog turd days of old, which were quite chunky and could block up the small waterways found in newer cars.
K seal is actually quite good, we use it in the trucks at work.
I sealed a vw rad appprox 10 yrs ago its still running and leak free.
Mate did his shogun still running and leak free
I sealed the badly leaking rad in my series 2 and I got another 2/3 yrs out of the rad.

Basically its a tenner versus the hassle of a another block, fit the k-seal and enjoy the car and look for an engine at your leisure.

SpaceDawg · Mar 16, 2016

I may well give that a go.

200tdi cracked block?

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