I ended up ringing a local independent with the view to paying for a mobile leak down test but he said that 200 psi compression when cold should be fine and to drag it down the road to get it started. Didn't have anyone to give me a tow so just kept turning it over whilst bleeding the air out of...

Oh ye of little faith :D:D:D:D

First easy check could be seized brakes, Jack each wheel up and make sure they turn freely. Would have thought you would have symptoms more often though.

Already done that yesterday, took timing cover off and timing was spot on, flywheel mark locked in, woodruff key on crank at 12 o'clock and cam mark perfectly lined up with Mark on casing. Plus pump pin slides all the way in.

lol, already contemplating that :D

Just new gasket, valve guide seals and good clean up. Nothing major :rolleyes:

Got gasket from other local supplier for £10 more but was the same anyway. Motor was running well before hand apart from oil leek from head gasket and tapping noise when warm and under load. Was pulling well in third up some steep hills before overhaul so wish had left alone now but I like...

I read somewhere that the oil in the bore doesn't work due to the oil sitting in the piston crown. Should I pour it down the glow plug hole? Another option I thought of was hiring this http://www.hss.com/g/68820/Pressure-Testers.html. Might be able to connect to compression adaptor to build up...

Bit of an update but not getting anywhere. To recap.. Had head skimmed and valves reseated by engine rebuilders, Got another set of cylinder head bolts and another head gasket Checked cam/valve timing and bang on All valve clearances adjusted to 0.20mm using 1-8 4-5 etc Head tightened...

I don't know, he just said the head did need skimming as it was way out.

The head surface before skimming was way out.

Thanks, I'm going to stick another new had gasket on as the other new one was fitted before I had the head skimmed (the guy said it was out by the way), plus I've now used the new head bolts around 5 times so may get some more new ones just in case they are causing the problem.

Your right but I was on a tight schedule but also didn't realise how cheap it would be as only cost £95 to have it skimmed and valves reseated which ain't bad. Just picked up after having valves done so will see what happens this afternoon when it goes back on.

Just had the head back off again and did a test on the valves using some soapy water and an air duster compresses air can. Found little bubbles on every valve which could be the problem.!

The gasket was an elring err5263 said it was original equipment from adventure 4x4 in Leeds. Engine turns over good and takes 4-5 revolutions to reach just over 200 psi. The truck ran well before overhaul and haven't touched pistons so it had to be something to do With top end. Guage is brand...

Bit of an update, ended up taking the head to be skimmed as the compression was so poor, the guy who did the work said it was way out so was hoping to get better readings when the next test was done. Unfortunately I'm now getting a reading of 220psi across all four cylinders which although now...

Just checked them Chris and they were fine, all 4 giving good similar spray. I've taken the head back off and all seems normal and yes... The gasket was the correct way up 😊 I've left the head upside down overnight with paraffin in the Valve seats to see if they are seating properly...

I'm sure all bolts were tightened correctly and gasket was right way up but I'll remove and retighten to Double check.

I checked clearances using Haynes (1 whilst 8 is open etc) didn't realise they called that the rule of 9 method! Anyway all are spot on.

It had a 3 hole gasket on and I checked using straight edge and feeler Guage and that came up right for the gap. Will recheck tappets using other methods when I get home. Tightened new bolts as described but used one flat of head bolt for the 60 degree turn and then a third of that for the...