2.1 WBX Noisy and smoking like a chimney

[baldylocks3h]

Hi any advise would be great.

2.1 waterboxer only (70000m from new)

Right so was driving up the a1 (Checked oil before I set off) lost a bit of power, turned off and it cut out. Got it started and the engine was misfiring to hell and vibrating all over the shop and bad tappet noise. Got it home changed the plugs running better but the tappet sounding noise is horrible. read it can be dry hydraulic lifter so changed oil/filter all that and sounds the same.

disconnect lead to spark plug on valve 3 I think (looking at engine from back of van the one nearest passenger front seat) and it cuts the noise out so its definitely coming from there

Did see it can be an adjustment under rocker cover or it not tight enough on pushrods but nothing slack seem alright on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vZti5nq-dE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Main question is why would it suddenly go and is it gonna be something major?

Oh yeah its smoking like dot cotton too and plugs are black so.

Sorry for my crap knowledge ha im a plumber not a mechanic but if there is something anyone can recommend before I get my wallet out that would be great, cheers... or just tell me not to be so tight ha!

[kevtherev]

If you disconnected the lead and the noise stopped then it won't be a lifter.
Do you have metal capped leads?
What does the noise sound like?

[silverbullet]

Sounds like its burnt a valve or holed a piston, maybe dropped a plug.
What strength of jungle juice was it running on, has the ignition timing been checked, how big a payload were you carrying, how fast were you going, was it a long uphill stretch?
Trying to get a picture of what may have occurred.

[baldylocks3h]

Thanks guys this site it bloody brilliant!

Yeah metal capped leads... Sounds like that bus on youtube tappet sound of doom, ahha thanks muc ruled that out then...

Yeah was doing about 65-70 and yeah it was an uphill section (auto box by the way)
normal unleaded, empty caravelle just me and a duvet for the bed. No haven't check ignition timing is that the first step to try. Ohh that doesn't sound fun haha

[baldylocks3h]

Yeah sorry guys don't know a great deal about engines (bad choice of car maybe ha) but yeah something did seem to go which I why I suspects its something major or can the timing just send its self out like that and end up with this smoking machine gun ive got... oh and when I stick it in drive it seems to get louder than just reving it in neutral... say what?

[ajsimmo]

Needs a compression test, then a leakdown test. That'll reveal a lot.
It could be a lifter's failed or seized and maybe broken up? Sounds a bit inlet valvey to me though, but then not much info to go on. I'd gladly have a look for you and would like to help, but I wouldn't recommend driving it the 20 odd miles from Lincoln to the 'shack.

[silverbullet]

Normal unleaded... in a DJ or MV (has a probe in the exhaust)?
Engine number is stamped below the breather tower (red bull can-sized black vertical cylinder on top of the engine case.

[kevtherev]

Well it reads like you won't be fixing this yourself.
I'd be looking for a garage near to you who are willing to look at an engine that requires skilled diagnosis rather than hooking it up to a computer for one.

Getting it to a suitable garage is your primary mission now.

[baldylocks3h]

blergh! just been out with a torch, see what you mean but its too dark ill have a look tomorrow. Thanks so much for showing interest guys.

yeah got an old school mechanic with old Cadillac's I know in my pub so see if he can help don't dare take it to anyone else, I asked him to start with and he told me to try oil etc busy man so got me started... Bugger. Handy with tools and boilers etc but yeah out of my depth with this, could take it apart no problem haha!

Thanks ajsimmo ill tell him. he'll have all that gear. Thanks again guys! .......... oh yeah normal unleaded gogo juice mate

[Ian Hulley]

Where abouts are you ? (fill in your profile ) one of us may be just round the corner or know a local garage that can do the compression test you need.

Cheers, Ian.

[baldylocks3h]

Yeah cheers mate done. At Lincoln, got to wait for a bit absolutely skint it happened before a packed my job in and went on a jolly to Thailand for 2 months hoping it would sort itself out haha, got to get back to work and get it fixed up. Nightmare

[ghost123uk]

yeah got an old school mechanic with old Cadillac's I know in my pub... I asked him to start with and he told me to try oil etc

Well don't trust him too much, changing the oil will never stop horrid noises or stop smoke

Thanks ajsimmo

Your ajsimmo man is = "Campershack" near Grantham, as he says, only ~20 miles from you. He is one of the very few places in the the UK that are 100% competent when it comes to working on WBX engines. I would for sure get it there, on a trailer or somehow, you won't regret it (like you might well regret letting a guy in the pub put spanners on it )

[Ian Hulley]

Your ajsimmo man is = "Campershack" near Grantham, as he says, only ~20 miles from you. He is one of the very few places in the the UK that are 100% competent when it comes to working on WBX engines. I would for sure get it there, on a trailer or somehow, you won't regret it (like you might well regret letting a guy in the pub put spanners on it )

Indeed or T3volution (Si 'Toomanytoys' ) who isn't far away from you.

Ian

[baldylocks3h]

Ahha brilliant yeah only down the road. spot on thank you. Ha well nah he is good but very busy he rebuilt a t3 he just suggested try it cos of the hydraulic lifer jobbys but anyway brilliant help guys ill give it a wash a leave it for a bit ha!