Help- Low Compression & Oil Pressure 1.9 DG how far to rebuild?

[joshmc]

Ah damn that sounds like it could complicate things.

So I need a special tool to replace the bearings :/ I guess as I had low oil pressure its worth going through with it. Is it a complicated procedure?

As there is dj stampes on the engine, how do I go about working out what bearings are correct? I've read cranks can be ground to different levels and the colour dots are important. Where do I locate the dots to start working out what bearings to buy?

Sorry for the load of questions! Really appreciate you taking the time to answer and send photos etc. Massive massive help! Id be lost without it

[maxstu]

Where abouts are you?

[TwinTurbo]

does it matter if its dg/dj the conrod bolts are stupidly not available seperatly .. Why if you can buy the set?

[maxstu]

does it matter if its dg/dj the conrod bolts are stupidly not available seperatly .. Why if you can buy the set?

Its more to the point what internals is this engine running. Is that a DJ crank and camshaft? And how much does OP want to spend?

I've just spent close to 3K on a DJ rebuild. Including reground crank, new camshaft, which means new tappets, new valves and springs, new conrods (but pistons okay) and much more.

High compression DJ pistons put more strain and wear on conrods. If the big end bearings are good (can be measured without disassembly) and the top end of conrods okay (by sight and a new gudgeon pin) then the low oil pressure may be reduced by simply replacing crankshaft shells like for like.

However, that camshaft is fubarred!

How much do you want to spend? What is the condition of the cases, the crank surfaces and the old crank shells? If the engines cases are worn (expensive line bore) , where they clamp the crank shells, then it will produce poor oil pressure.

[TwinTurbo]

how doyou check the big ends without disassembly? I have a n unknown DJ bottom end and avoiding paying for new rods would be great. need to check camshaft first to see if the build is a none starter.

[maxstu]

how doyou check the big ends without disassembly? I have a n unknown DJ bottom end and avoiding paying for new rods would be great. need to check camshaft first to see if the build is a none starter.

Feeler gauge between conrod and crank. I think it is in Bentley or Haynes manual

[TwinTurbo]

endfloat maybee but journals would seem improbably impossible. 

[TwinTurbo]

is that a double negative?

[maxstu]

is that a double negative?

Could be, possibly!

Again. How far do you want to go and how deep are your pockets? What do you want from your engine?

If endfloat is within spec then accept it is all good, especially if DG, MV/SS. If it is a DJ, they tend to be tough on conrods and oval the big ends.

One may get away with re-using good condition non stretch early DG conrods and new big end bearings. I did in a previous DJ and that engine is still running beautifully three years on.

[joshmc]

Well I want to get the engine running again, but I dont have a spare 3-4k to chuck at it. Im looking to fix major issues, not do a full rebuild for the fun of it. I took it out of the van looking to sort out low compression in one cylinder (replace valves there and new rings and gaskets) plus low oil pressure (was planning to replace bearings).

The van will only potter around the countryside for a few thousand miles every year, so I dont want to swap things for the hell of it.

Maxstu did you say the camshaft in the photos I sent is no good?

Is there a difinitive guide to replacing bearing somewhere that I can read. All im looking for is some step by step instructions to follow, plus a little advice on identifying which bearings to buy.

[maxstu]

Whereabouts do you live? Just general location

[maxstu]

Lift out camshaft and send more close photos of the lobes.

As Silverbullet wrote, the cranks are robust but the camshafts are a bit cheesy..

You have a dilemma to overcome. My new rebuild started as a casual home refurb. But rapidly escalated to lots of money as one issue led to another.

If you find a good camshaft, matching your engine, then mostly your problems are solved. But that is extremely unlikely.

If you want a chat over the phone then will send my telephone number via PM. I'm not a seasoned engine rebuilder. But have gathered enough knowledge after four rebuilds to know which path to take.