Shap casualty

Post by **Balaclava** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:23

Had a great triparound Loch Lomond, Glencoe and climbed Ben Nevis. Van went great but coming back down the M6 near Penrith the ole van struggled up Shap hill and gave up on me luckily just as we passed a service station.
The engine just cut out. Red lights came on on the dash but I managed to roll on into the car park. I managed to start it again after a couple of attempts but it sounded awful and cut out again. It was very noisey and seemed to be rattling inside. AA were called and they sent out someone from a local garage, Egertons. He looked at it but didn't seem to have a clue. Plenty of oil and water. Battery was failing though. I was given a courtesy car, newish Nissan and drove back to London in style. Van arrived at my place around midnight. It had mysteriously received a dent in the side causing the door to stick. Delivery driver said he noticed that and presumed somebody had backed into the van in the carpark! Oh yeah!
Tried starting her up this morning but the battery died on me.

Anybody any ideas what might be wrong? Was it the long haul up Shap? Why would the battery be dead? It's a new one.

Website · Post by **syncrosimon** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:43

what engine do you have??

Post by **toomanytoys** » 30 Sep 2007, 13:53

Could be anything....
start witht he basics, like water/dirt in the fuel (check the fuel filter) and ignition components...etc..

Rattles are not good...... charge the battery up and start after checking it over... if it will.... could actually be the engine is broke....

Post by **Balaclava** » 30 Sep 2007, 16:43

The engine is a turbo, water cooled diesel, 1.6

Post by **ELVIS** » 30 Sep 2007, 16:55

shap ? in the days of steam trains it was one of (maybe the only) lines in the country that kept spare engines at the bottom - when a train came along it hitched onto the back to help push up the hill.
about 20yrs and 5 stone ago i was a mad kean cyclist , sundays were normally spent in lowest gear out of the saddle for god knows how long - not surprised your van is poorly!

Post by **Cruz** » 30 Sep 2007, 20:21

Strange that though Elvis seeing as the van went up Ben Nevis

Post by **ELVIS** » 30 Sep 2007, 20:25

not really , compare the gradiants , shap maybe less altitude but the road builder only had a ruler

, height/altitude has no bearing if there are a million hairpins therefore less gradiant(s) think about it

Post by **peasant** » 30 Sep 2007, 21:38

Failing battery would indicate something wrong with the alternator, which on the 1.6 td is driven by the same belt as the water pump.

Ailing water pump, especially in combination with a steep hill could mean thermal engine death.

Post by **Balaclava** » 30 Sep 2007, 23:09

Now that makes sense! I have had a lot of problems with the alternator but I thought I had sorted it. Maybe not!

Thermal engine death, huh?

How do I find out if it really is deceased?

Post by **peasant** » 30 Sep 2007, 23:57

If it gets too hot, something usually cracks.

With luck, it's "just" the head or the gasket. Signs of oil in water or water in oil usually point to a crack in the cyilinder head. Loss of compression means big end damage.

That rattling you mention should be investigated first though before you do more damage by trying to start the engine again.

I'm no expert either ...so can only suggest to consult one.

Post by **Balaclava** » 01 Oct 2007, 12:30

I managed to get it started briefly this morning with jump leads. It clattered for a few seconds then stopped. It keeps trying to catch but can't quite do it.
If it started for a short burst does that mean it's still salvagable? Surely if the gasket was gone or the head cracked it wouldn't start at all? Oil pressure? It did spray a lot of oil on the back window during my trip to Scotland. Mind you, it has been doing that ever since I bought it two years ago. hasn't affected the performance in the past.

Post by **HOT 1200** » 01 Oct 2007, 15:23

Pull of the turbo pipe from the inlet manifold....

Try to start engine without turbo connected.....

(dont wory if it starts, you will just get a lot of hissing from the unconnected turbo pipe.....) let it idle/warm up......
Switch off

Reconnect turbo pipe to inlet manifold......
Try to restart........

GaV

Post by **Balaclava** » 07 Oct 2007, 11:17

Had a mechanic friend look at the engine yesterday.

The timerbelt has worn down. I was warned about this a couple of months ago and did nothing! The timing is right out hence the clanking and the lower belt is not driving the alternator belt hence the flat battery. Earth wire was also loose. Just hope I haven't done too much damage.

At least now I know what to tell them when I bring it to the garage. My mate couldn't do it as he says it needs the engine raising to get at it or a pit or something like that!!