Ian_Fearn Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 I did a rather silly thing today.... I traced an oil leak in the timing case on my 300TDi to a failed crank seal a week ago but today the puddle was back.... Turns out the camshaft seal is also leaking. I started using my normal method of driving a self tapper into the seal but backed off when I saw flakes of aluminium coming out. Frightened i'd somehow damaged the engine casing I started poking about with a thin bladed screwdriver to try and understand the seal a little better. Basically, I levered too hard and sheared a VERY tiny section of the screwdriver head off. The issue is that I have no idea where it went. I reckon it was probably inside the seal by approx 1-2mm, no more. Having checked what these seals looked like, I carried on with the self tapper and removed the seal without any drama or damage. The little piece of screwdriver didn't come out with the seal and I couldn't find it sat anywhere on the camshaft end. I've poked all around inside the casing around the end of the camshaft with a telescopic magnet and found nothing. I think it most likely the tiny piece has shot off outside the engine BUT if it has dropped down inside that area, would it fall into the sump OR would it fall somewhere much more nasty (like say, the oil pump?) I don't have the intimate knowledge of the insides of the 300tdi. What would you do? I'm sure i'm worrying unnecessarily. I'm thinking as a precaution, drain the oil and remove and clean the sump out. Whilst its off, send the telescopic magnet into the area (if its accessible???) Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanuki Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 I'd do as you have, and see if there exists a magnetic sump-drain-plug option for your engine, which - *if* the fragment has gone inside the crankcase - would hopefully catch it. Having seen the lumps-of-stuff from the bottom of crankcases of engines that have been running-normally-for-ages: bits of timing-chain/segments-of-timing-gears [Ford Essex V4/6es were prone to shedding these like confetti], washers, valve-collets, sheared-off ends-of-valve-springs - my instinct is that your fragment will probably settle into the sludge in the bottom of the sump, where it could live for decades without troubling you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 Magnetic sump plug talk to HFH. It cannot get in oil pump from that location, as oil pump pick up in sump has a mesh guard to prevent bits being lifted by the pump. these photo's on Turners 300tdi engine parts pages might help https://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/stc-1736-stripped-engine-reman-c2x24350896 https://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/err-4664-cover-timing-belt-c2x20634707 https://www.turnerengineering.co.uk/stc-1675-short-engine-assy-reman-c2x20634430 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_Fearn Posted August 31, 2019 Author Share Posted August 31, 2019 Thanks for the reassurance gentlemen! Who is HFH? I've seen the Megasquirt website has the magnetic sump plugs so i'll get one fitted as good practice anyway. Knowing it won't get into the oil pump is probably my biggest concern but i'm 90% sure i'm going way over the top. This engine only has 40k miles on it and it just runs like no other 300TDi i've experienced so I want to look after it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkie Posted August 31, 2019 Share Posted August 31, 2019 (edited) 38 minutes ago, Ian_Fearn said: Who is HFH? Hybrid_From_Hell is who I understand Western is referring to. Edited August 31, 2019 by monkie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 10 hours ago, monkie said: Hybrid_From_Hell is who I understand Western is referring to. Correct. maybe I should of put H_F_H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Nigel’s (Hybrid from Hell) shop: https://www.megasquirt-v8.co.uk/index.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_Fearn Posted September 1, 2019 Author Share Posted September 1, 2019 Thanks, i've ordered a sump plug from the Megasquirt website. You really have to be careful on that website not to get too carried away with other ideas! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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