SPendrey Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 Well, today could have been a much better day... first I try to tax the wife's car only to find the MOT expired 6 months ago! So, off to get that done. That meant Mrs P gets to drive her sister and kids to Bath for the day. All good so far, family car passes MOT etc. etc. However, I get a call from Mrs P saying she's broken down on her way back, and there was a loud bang, and lots of smoke. Hmmm, I did have a problem just last week with the alternator pulley coming lose, perhaps that's gone again and taken the aux belt out causing smoke from burning rubber? Nope, she later described that she thought she was driving over a cattle grid. That would have been the larger bits of the engine block under the back wheels :-( I didn't get those bits, they're on the M4 somewhere right now... but I did get these bits, which I don't recognise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballcock Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 OOPS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Sparkes Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 I suggest the bigger bit in the bowl is a big end cap, or main bearing cap. The full autopsy could be interesting, in a sympathetic way, of course. Regards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted July 15, 2014 Share Posted July 15, 2014 That end cap seems to have a number 2 stamped on it, I take it that it was no 2 conrod that came out of the block side. Looks like an engine swap is on the cards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 That's gonna take a lot of JB weld to put back in You need to persuade the other half to buy you a nice new TGV lump to replace the one she clearly deliberately broke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 On the bright side at least the old engine will be a little bit lighter to take out now ...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Thats proper ****ed! New engine...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boydie Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I had that type of "electrical problem" once in a Mk1 Mexico Escort, No. 4 bloody con road knocked the starter motor off and it wouldnt get going again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squaddiefox Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Should have tow started it! Haha. At least she did a proper job! A good excuse to put a new engine in, Beemer six pot or something equally nice... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPendrey Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Will probably just do a straight swap for another 300TDi... not in the business of doing complicated stuff. In my heart this is the opportunity to switch to a 90, but it isn't in my wallet! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Do you know why the engine failed? 300TDIs are quite strong and don't normally have bottom end failures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPendrey Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 Not really. It has (for the 6 years I've owned it) always had a slight rumble, more-so when cold. It also got hyrolocked once, although nothing seemed to have been damaged and it's ran for 3 years since! Probably a combination of these two things I'd guess? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I've seen a TDi conrod with a twist in it from hydro lock, would be hard to spot a minor one without stripping the engine but I'd imagine it wouldn't help with the running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discomikey Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 when was the last time you checked the oil level? maybe the pump got weaker and weaker and obviously couldnt keep up with the high rpm workout. i suppose you asked her wether the oil pressure light came on? did she reply what light? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 TBF Mikey £300-ish notes is cheaper than risking the fallout from asking about a light on the dash 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPendrey Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 TBF Mikey £300-ish notes is cheaper than risking the fallout from asking about a light on the dash That's true! Oil level was good, I checked the weekend before due to a trip over to Wales. I also drained over 6 litres out this weekend in preparation for whatever I do next... so there must have been enough. Can't speak for a pressure warning light... I don't think she'd have noticed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honitonhobbit Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Never ask a woman about the lights on the dash - or the gauges for that matter I thought a 300Tdi auto would slow my wife down - nope; she just uses the brakes less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam001 Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Seen that type of failure a few times on other cars. Con Rod Failure, they snap and jam against the side of the block blasting a hole straight through it. Hydrolocking could have something to do with it, can generate a micro-fracture which can take years to propagate and can be totally dependant on engine speed, oil temperature and load. Sorry to see it, sucks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snagger Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 The rumble was probably from having a bent rod in the first place, which has finally progressed to this failure. Hydraulicing an engine is a serious issue that needs proper investigation. It'll need new rockers and push rods, but as often as not needs new con rods too. This is what happens if the parts are not replaced. At least the failure occurred in a way that didn't cause an accident and Mrs P is OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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