In trouble in the south of France

[peteandnero]

Hi, made it down here with a heavily smoking engine for the last 200mls. I'm in the Languedoc in the south of france and am pretty worried about making it back to Manchester. The engine smokes heavily under power and then heavily for a while after, but pretty much all the time now, dirty smelly grey stuff. I've had the engine head rebuilt, pistons and rings done, injectors and new turbo ober the last year and yet this has happened. Any advice or any tips on getting home, or contacts down here would be gratefully recieved. Pete

[Mickyfin]

Check your oil to see if there's any white/grey mayo type content on the inside of your filler cap. From what you describe, it sounds like possible head gasket on its way out, check the level of your water too. I hope I am wrong here, but from past experience with head gasket failure, I had the same grey/white smoke.

[ewenmaclean]

Hello,

I don't envy you coming up the A75 to get home if you're having power issues! Head gasket's a possibility, but I'd look first at the pipework from the turbo to the inlet manifold - if it's black smoke (being generous with interpretation of "grey") then this might be because you have an air leak post-turbo. This is a relatively easy fix if it is - turbo pipes in Frances are called "durite de turbo" and you should be able to pick them up at a "casse" or breaker's yard.

If it is the gasket, I wonder if it's lifting slightly under boost and the bolts need retorqued - some bolts and gaskets need retorquing, some don't. If it was a bad gasket problem you'd probably have trouble starting it.

Any more info would be useful - oil usage/water level etc....

Hope you can sort it out

Ewen

[California Dreamin]

I would say....if you haven't got oil in the water or water in the oil your temp gauge is reading normal, there aren't any additional engine noises and the coolant level hasn't gone down, then this is more likely failed Turbo Seals.

Martin

[sarran1955]

Hello,

I'll be glad to help.

We've just sent off 'douglas' with welded exhaust and overhauled drive shaft.

We can get bits in 2-3 days max.


Here is the new google link to the village, about 150 yards from me!!

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Sarran" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, ... 21484&z=12

You are of course very welcome to come by, shady parking and hookup.



Just for reference:


M. Gallimore John

le Bourg
19800 SARRAN
France

05 55 21 44 68

0681 02 27 06.

Cordialement,

sarran 1955

[douglas]

As I was assured by Pistachio, Sarran will definitely, fix you up.
We have just left the lovely village of Sarran, and all its lovely denizens. Now heading south to a ferry east, after a marvelous time.
More on all of our 4 month saga a bit later.
Ciao,
Red Oktober and crew