Engine test

THE BUDDAH · Jun 28, 2011

Hello,
How do I test if my engine is any good?
It's a 2.5 that struggles when towing and overheats.
I know with a petrol engine you can use a compassion tester and screw it into where a spark plug fits, but what do you do to test a diesel?

Thanks

Mike.

TAH · Jun 28, 2011

probably compression test from the glowplug socket, but I Am sure someone will confirm that shortly on RR engines

wammers · Jun 28, 2011

You can compression test a diesel, but you need a special tester. The compression on a diesel will turn one used for petrol engines inside out.

TAH · Jun 28, 2011

Sealey do some glow plug adaptors and diesel guages for Beemer engines..

Datatek · Jun 28, 2011

I don't think a compression test will show much, if it's firing on all cylinders then the compression is probably OK as unlike a petrol engine it's pure compression that causes ignition.

jonbill · Jun 28, 2011

Lack of compassion does seem a common problem with the p38. Even pity for the owners would be a nice gesture. But no.
A reliable tester for this would surely be a boon for prospective owners.

The Mad Hat Man · Jun 28, 2011

jonbill said:
Lack of compassion does seem a common problem with the p38. Even pity for the owners would be a nice gesture.

that is just so true

THE BUDDAH · Jun 28, 2011

How do i tell if the engine is worn as it likes to overheat?

Mike.

THE BUDDAH · Jun 28, 2011

Oh no COMPRESSION.............lol

jamesmartin · Jun 28, 2011

compression has no effect on overheating,unless showing head gasket failure, as said usualy compression is tested through glow plug holes,its the comparison between bores thats important and should be done dry and wet,and make sure it cant start before testing,low compression usualy shows poor starting from cold

Datatek · Jun 29, 2011

THE BUDDAH said:
How do i tell if the engine is worn as it likes to overheat?

Mike.

A worn engine is unlikely to be the cause of overheating, if the RAD, water pump, stat, expansion tank cap and the viscous fan are all perfect then the most likely cause is HGF or, as it's a diesel, a cracked head, but if you want to go looking for rainbows that's your choice.

THE BUDDAH · Jun 29, 2011

Thanks Datatek,

I'll go through flushing the whole system out and retesting the therostat and see how it goes.

Mike.

wammers · Jun 29, 2011

Datatek said:
A worn engine is unlikely to be the cause of overheating, if the RAD, water pump, stat, expansion tank cap and the viscous fan are all perfect then the most likely cause is HGF or, as it's a diesel, a cracked head, but if you want to go looking for rainbows that's your choice.

I once found a Rover V8 engine at the end of a rainbow. So instead of a crock of gold it was a crock of ****.

Engine test

THE BUDDAH

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TAH

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wammers

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TAH

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Datatek

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jonbill

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THE BUDDAH

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THE BUDDAH

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THE BUDDAH

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wammers

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