Disco 1 Diesel runaway

currymunster · May 28, 2024

Hi everyone, towing my daughter's horse from Folkestone to Gloucester. 40 mins from Gloucester on the A417 yesterday. I suffered a runaway. Black smoke and loss of power. Pulled over and as soon as I dipped the clutch it started. High revs. White smoke everywhere. I can't describe how much there was. Turned ignition off and managed to stall it in 5th. I'm guessing the extra weight of the trailer helped. I feel I managed it with in 20 seconds so I'm really hoping no damage to the engine. I won't know till I get the car back. RAC couldn't get it home with me so I got a hire car home, car will be delivered in 3 to 5 days time. Only just got it back on the road after loads of welding and lots of new stuff including a radiator, front and rear brakes, front bearings, a frame ball joint, track rod ends and lots of other little stuff. Really gutted. When I get the car back I'll see if my dash cam caught it.....
Anyone else had this and engine been okay?
James

Kenbo · May 28, 2024

I had it on a Citroën Xsara. Main dealer had done a 6k mile service to keep it in warranty. I was just about 150 yds up the road when it happened. Very scary and I hadn't a clue what happened. Clouds of white smoke, rev counter off the scale, ran for what seemed ages before it rattled and died. The garage blamed air in the diesel after a filter chang and sent a mechanic to look at it. Car started rough but settled. Next day wouldn't start, I phoned a friend who reckoned the garage had refilled the oil twice. I put a tray under the air filter and collected over a litre of oil. Turned out the tops of the glow plugs had all melted off hence the non start. Major row with the garage and Citroën didn't want to know when I wrote to them. I was worried about long term damage but when eventually sold the car at 14 years old, engine had never been touched, it had covered 247k miles and was going great. I was told that many engines will blow so get out and stand back. Hopefully yours will be ok. I saw it happen last year on a Fiat Doblo, was still revving when the fire brigade arrived. I came back later and it seemed ok being driven onto a recovery lorry.

currymunster · May 29, 2024

Kenbo said:
I had it on a Citroën Xsara. Main dealer had done a 6k mile service to keep it in warranty. I was just about 150 yds up the road when it happened. Very scary and I hadn't a clue what happened. Clouds of white smoke, rev counter off the scale, ran for what seemed ages before it rattled and died. The garage blamed air in the diesel after a filter chang and sent a mechanic to look at it. Car started rough but settled. Next day wouldn't start, I phoned a friend who reckoned the garage had refilled the oil twice. I put a tray under the air filter and collected over a litre of oil. Turned out the tops of the glow plugs had all melted off hence the non start. Major row with the garage and Citroën didn't want to know when I wrote to them. I was worried about long term damage but when eventually sold the car at 14 years old, engine had never been touched, it had covered 247k miles and was going great. I was told that many engines will blow so get out and stand back. Hopefully yours will be ok. I saw it happen last year on a Fiat Doblo, was still revving when the fire brigade arrived. I came back later and it seemed ok being driven onto a recovery lorry.

You're right, it is a bit concerning when it happens, all those engines survived so I hope mine did. I fully revved for no longer than 10 second I'm sure. I can't wait for RAC to deliver it so I get get diagnosing. I obviously know the turbo I kaput .....

heggars · Jun 12, 2024

Just wondering if the RAC delivered and you've had a chance to look at it?

currymunster · Jun 16, 2024

heggars said:
Just wondering if the RAC delivered and you've had a chance to look at it?

Check engine forum on 300tdi, details and video there

Disco 1 Diesel runaway

currymunster

Well-Known Member

Kenbo

Active Member

currymunster

Well-Known Member

heggars

Nec flectitur nec mutant

currymunster

Well-Known Member

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