Quinnzip

Member
Hi, my 300Tdi on a 110 County, but originally from a Disco, was filling the intercooler with oil. After checking the turbo, which seems fine, and replacing the manifold gasket which was actually on its way out, the filling continued. The source was traced back to the cyclone unit. Doesn't seem to be any excess crankcase pressure when doing the oil filler cap trick, so I've cleaned the cyclone and it seems problem solved, except it didn't seem blocked.

I'd rather the problem doesn't come back, so I thought I should also clean the crankcase breather hose — except there isn't one on this engine — I've had this vehicle for 5 years now, done a good number of things on it, and never noticed. According to the manual, the crankcase breather hose (number 2 in the diagram) is connected from the crankcase outlet just behind the injector box, and up to the rocker cover between injectors 1 and 2. But on mine there's nothing, not even a place to connect a hose. Since there must be an alternative pathway to avoid excess pressure, can anyone tell me where it is?
300TdiCrankcaseVentilation.jpg
300Tdi_NoBreatherHose1.jpg
Here is a copy of the manual about the breather system, and a photo of my rocker cover without any place for the breather hose (Sorry about the low quality of the pic, the cyclone pipe to the air intake was off temporarily when I took the pic, so just ignore that).
 
Hi, my 300Tdi on a 110 County, but originally from a Disco, was filling the intercooler with oil. After checking the turbo, which seems fine, and replacing the manifold gasket which was actually on its way out, the filling continued. The source was traced back to the cyclone unit. Doesn't seem to be any excess crankcase pressure when doing the oil filler cap trick, so I've cleaned the cyclone and it seems problem solved, except it didn't seem blocked.

I'd rather the problem doesn't come back, so I thought I should also clean the crankcase breather hose — except there isn't one on this engine — I've had this vehicle for 5 years now, done a good number of things on it, and never noticed. According to the manual, the crankcase breather hose (number 2 in the diagram) is connected from the crankcase outlet just behind the injector box, and up to the rocker cover between injectors 1 and 2. But on mine there's nothing, not even a place to connect a hose. Since there must be an alternative pathway to avoid excess pressure, can anyone tell me where it is?
View attachment 138896 View attachment 138897 Here is a copy of the manual about the breather system, and a photo of my rocker cover without any place for the breather hose (Sorry about the low quality of the pic, the cyclone pipe to the air intake was off temporarily when I took the pic, so just ignore that).
Is the pipe connector on the block?
 
That's interesting. As no doubt you know, you should have one of these,
IMG_6140.JPG

The rocker cover you have there is quite a match too.
You're lucky you didn't have a runaway.
 
I think I'd be asking someone like Turner Engineering what they make of what appears to be a non standard fitment.... But is possibly standard for a given market....? You could always change the rocker box lid, and add the pipe flange after changing the FIP support bracket.

I did wonder if perchance something in the rocker case was split / damaged / knackered and was overloading the cyclone by spraying oil directly into it - long shot I know, but hardly rocket science to check !
 
I've been running this 110 for around 5 years now, no problem like this came up. It's looking like my problem might actually be the turbo oil seals. I've sourced a 2nd hand one from Ebay, and see what happens when that goes in.
The guy I bought it from claimed the engine had been some kind of prototype because of the engine number (18L 00002A) but I've no way to check that claim. It's true that I don't see someone going to the trouble of making a rocker cover with no breather inlet just for fun :) Anyway, I'm thinking this engine crankcase must breathe somehow or there would've been a problem very early on.
 
I think I'd be asking someone like Turner Engineering what they make of what appears to be a non standard fitment.... But is possibly standard for a given market....? You could always change the rocker box lid, and add the pipe flange after changing the FIP support bracket.

I did wonder if perchance something in the rocker case was split / damaged / knackered and was overloading the cyclone by spraying oil directly into it - long shot I know, but hardly rocket science to check !
Yes, I did have the rocker cover off to have a look, but it all looks normal so far. Can't seen any obvious damage or anomaly.
 
I think I'd be asking someone like Turner Engineering what they make of what appears to be a non standard fitment.... But is possibly standard for a given market....? You could always change the rocker box lid, and add the pipe flange after changing the FIP support bracket.
You suggest asking someone like Turner Engineering, hadn't thought of that. I guess I can find them on Google. The only guys I've had dealings with so far has been Ashcroft, but they're speciality isn't engines, unless I'm wrong (which I could easily be). Yes, maybe the long-term thing is to get all the parts to fit a standard breather pipe.
 
You suggest asking someone like Turner Engineering, hadn't thought of that. I guess I can find them on Google. The only guys I've had dealings with so far has been Ashcroft, but they're speciality isn't engines, unless I'm wrong (which I could easily be). Yes, maybe the long-term thing is to get all the parts to fit a standard breather pipe.
I had a quick look on the Turner site earlier, looking for a rocker cover like yours, but couldn't find one. I didn't see the pipe flange in the 300Tdi section, but if you call them they will likely have one. The lady who answers the phone is called Frida and is very knowledgeable. If she gets stuck she asks husband Richard and will even go in to the workshop and put him on the phone to you. They're very helpful. They're a good place to get parts from as you get great advice and back up. If you call and explain the situation, they may know of your set up already, if not I'd be amazed if Frida didn't ask you to send the pictures because they will be very curious.
 
Well, the 'engine breather covers' are not cheap. Couldn't find them on Paddocks. Here's the link to LRDirect :eek:

EDIT
There's a cheaper one on ebay HERE
 
I had a quick look on the Turner site earlier, looking for a rocker cover like yours, but couldn't find one. I didn't see the pipe flange in the 300Tdi section, but if you call them they will likely have one. The lady who answers the phone is called Frida and is very knowledgeable. If she gets stuck she asks husband Richard and will even go in to the workshop and put him on the phone to you. They're very helpful. They're a good place to get parts from as you get great advice and back up. If you call and explain the situation, they may know of your set up already, if not I'd be amazed if Frida didn't ask you to send the pictures because they will be very curious.
Thanks, I'll contact them.
 
Changed the turbo for another 2nd hand one, re-checked and no oil into the intercooler so far but after a while oil starts pouring out of the cyclone outlet, which I've disconnected from going into the air intake. I'll have to look under the rocker cover again.
 
All the rocker settings measure 0.2 mm so it would seem to me there won't be a problem with bent push rods or valve seats, is that correct?
I've ordered the parts to put in a breather hose, like on a normal 300 Tdi. As I will have to replace the extra-long injector pump bracket with a normal one, is there a likelihood of putting the ip timing out, or should it stay put by the front mounting?
 

Similar threads