the_wolf
Well-Known Member
Oh I don't doubt that, just he's saying he's never seen one crack yet but I'm sure it can happen.
It will be, that'll be the first thing they do and if its good then it'll be getting skimmed.
the_wolf
Well-Known Member
Just a wee update, cylinder head is all sorted. Spoke to the engineering place on Friday and pressure test was all good so they skimmed it and gave it a hot wash, only cost £72 and that's including a new gasket too. Off to collect it on Monday and get it put back together so will let you know how the engine gets on.
baronvonprepper
Active Member
Fingers crossed all is ok, but the slow turnover when trying to re start isn't good, it's lucky the engine didn't seize fully, so you may just have got away with it
the_wolf
Well-Known Member
It only did that just after it stopped. I was worried the engine had seized and one of the first things I did once the steam and smoke had died down enough was checked the oil. It drove fine (as well as it can anyway) after about 2 hours allowing it to cool so its definitely not seized. Hopefully got away with just warping the head.
baronvonprepper
Active Member
Fingers crossed for you buddy
.
the_wolf
Well-Known Member
Got the head back today, turned out to be a tad more expensive than I had though and they've no idea where the guy I spoke to got the £72 price from but it was only £118 all in including a new head gasket. Got halfway through refitting it, still need to tighten up the head bolts and fit everything back on but that'll be finished tomorrow. Didn't have to take much off it when they skimmed it thankfully plus it's all nice and clean.
Attachments
baronvonprepper
Active Member
Winner winner chicken dinner!
flat
Well-Known Member
Gazbo
Well-Known Member
I guess you could say that there is a valuable lesson to be learned here for all 300Tdi owners, that lesson being, if there is any unusual condition with the cooling system, i.e. in your case a damaged/holed radiator, do not, repeat, do not run the engine until the coolant level in the engine cooling system is as it should be and be capable of maintaining correct level. Some other brand engines can suffer some degree of coolant loss and not do any major damage to the engine, e.g. head gasket failure, but the Tdi has no margin for deviation. As my resident Tdi expert mate says, "once the oem temp gauge is on the move up it is already too late". Best advice is, as has already been said, get a good quality coolant level monitor system and get a direct head temp reading gauge, reliance on the oem gauge has caused many a 300Tdi HG failure.
And finally remember that the device that sends info to the temp gauge is an "immersion" device, it cannot correctly read the temperature of air or steam, it needs coolant to do it's job correctly, otherwise it's just telling you lies!
flat
Well-Known Member
200tdi is more resilient to water loss as the pump is lower down, the 200 can lose something like half its water IIRC before you start getting issues.
300tdi is different though and the head suffers quickly with not a lot of water loss.
However my point is that your advice is spot on should be followed regardless of engine!
One tip that may limp someone home is drive with the header tank cap off then the system doesn't pressurise making the water loss faster.
the_wolf
Well-Known Member
That is it clean lol. They gave it a hot wash but twenty years of ingrained oil, dirt and coolant don't come off easily.Clean that baby up. It's filthy
the_wolf
Well-Known Member
Too right! I should have called recovery when the radiator was punctured but you live and learn I guess.
the_wolf
Well-Known Member
Don't be hasty, I haven't bolted the head down and restarted it yet lol. Nah it'll be alright, it drove me home so it's definitely not seized
Magicgrotto
Well-Known Member
AND chuck the STUPID rubber / foam cover in the bin !! FUBARD mine coss i thought core plug had gone at back of head but it was heater pipe were you can't see coss of STUPID cover ! Ended up with No3 piston tryin to get thru the exhaust valve So 1 replaced eng & a running motor again
Steve
but it was heater pipe were you can't see coss of STUPID cover ! Ended up with No3 piston tryin to get thru the exhaust valve So 1 replaced eng & a running motor againSteve
the_wolf
Well-Known Member
Got it all put back together, although the temperature of minus 2 wasn't great fun to work in. Engine sounded a bit rough to begin with for my liking but it was bloody cold and had just been rebuilt. Temp gauge didn't seem to be moving but I did fit a new thermostat so it might be that the engine will take longer to warm up or the temp sender is cooked, if so that can wait for now. Will give it a proper drive out tomorrow and see how he goes.
Remember kids, check your coolant!
Remember kids, check your coolant!
