Oh bugger.... looks like I'll be needing a new engine then?

[mikeymancs]

Hi!

Hope you guys can offer some advice here.

Have posted a few times on here about my 1988 1.6 Turbo Diesel JX engine. It has 115k and running quite rough, smokes a lot on starting despite new glow plugs and a good service. Not the best power, but i gather the 1.6 JX isn't exactly a flying machine.

Well decided to take some more advice and took the van into a recommended local diesel specialist who has pop tested the injectors, all fine and as they should be. He has done a compression test and getting less than 8 bar which by the sounds of it is basically knackered?

New engine time??? any ideas?

Oh bugger

[ATO]

What colour smoke? Does it use a lot of oil?
Less than 8 bar makes it less than 116psi I think? I don't know what is good compression in these engines but that does seem very low for a diesel...
Are they all under 8 bar? 115k seems low mileage for engine to be in such bad shape

[mikeymancs]

Thanks for reply.

Smoke is grey when cold starting. When warm and running, when revving the smoke lessens but get litle 'poofs' of dark grey/black smoke.

Yes, the guy from the diesel confirmed readings between 8 and 10 bar compression. Apparantly this is about 1/3rd of what it should be?

Its a bit gutting really, as seems to be turning into a bit of a money pit!

[ATO]

Doesn't really add up in my head - I'd be expecting loads of blue smoke if that is the case, consuming lots of oil and barely running at all.
Grey/black smoke seems more like a timing issue.

[CovKid]

Sure its not the turbo???

[mikeymancs]

Hi guys,

Sorry not very technical, trying to learn but its a VERY steep curve!!!

The Diesel guy was recommended to me by a local VW Camper specialist, they are even located virtually next door to each other.

The guy seems honest, been at it for years apparantly. I left the van with him and he checked each of the injectors by pop testing them, he also noticed a small leak on one of the injector pipes, but resolved that.

He then compression tested, and found the readings very low. The smoke when starting is a grey colour, but when revving it goes darker.

He doesn't supply recon engines, but he has said if i can track one down he will fit for £350.

Sorry I am not of much use here, but i really don't know what t do next, am getting the "what have I do" feeling ....

I have been trying to get the van into Brickwerks in Honley, but they are now booked until September!!!

[mikeymancs]

Another typical newbie question.... rather than a replacement engine which has been hinted at by the Diesel guy, would a new or recon cylinder head be likely to solve the issue rather than going the whole hog?

Thanks again!

[ATO]

Depends where the problem is!! If you've got very worn bores/piston rings then a new head won't help. If there is a problem in the head then, yes.
Does the engine use a lot of oil? TBH it could be a number of things and it's hard to diagnose without seeing it.

[mikeymancs]

Depends where the problem is!! If you've got very worn bores/piston rings then a new head won't help. If there is a problem in the head then, yes.
Does the engine use a lot of oil? TBH it could be a number of things and it's hard to diagnose without seeing it.

Hi ATO,

No it doesn't seem to be using too much oil, i would say about 250ml over 800 miles?

[Hacksawbob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZLt4Ltwk8M" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
this has a diy compression test even compression is more important that individual readings.
Leak down test will determine where the leak was coming from. Not a lot of help for diesels on here from what I have seen (Diesel newb myself), I have posted a couple of Q's of the last week and answers have been thin on the ground, Clive Harryman is my usual contact but he's off on the Syncro trip to Der Fatherland

[ATO]

At the end of the day it doesn't sound like something you'll be able to sort yourself and without seeing it we can guess all day on here.
I'd expect a really worn engine to be using more oil than that so my gut feeling is it's a sortable problem rather than a new engine, but it could be a problem with the head, injection pump, timing, turbo etc

[mikeymancs]

Would the general opinion be to carry on using the van as normal, unitl such a time as either it starts using more oil or something goes 'pop'?

I am beginning to realise that there will always be something to spend money on with these vans, so its a case of being sensible?

[dugcati]

Would the general opinion be to carry on using the van as normal, unitl such a time as either it starts using more oil or something goes 'pop'?

I am beginning to realise that there will always be something to spend money on with these vans, so its a case of being sensible?

In short yes - diesels will rattle and rumble on forever before going bang - the only things you will see are more smoke when cold, less and less power and eventually MOT fail on emissions (OK and lower MPG's but this is a diesel...)

As already stated (I think!) might be worth getting the head off to see if it's barrels or the head but to be fair there are millions of these engines out there so a second hand unit and swap the whole thing.....

[lhd]

Has it been like this since you got it or has it happened gradually, Also has it had any repairs (timing belt change)recently for example?
Also about the compression test, what where the figures for each cylinder,and does this bloke really now what he is doing?

I recently needed a compression test to pinpoint an oil pump problem and found it very difficult to find someone who could do it, also the price of the test made me just buy a new oil pump.
Rob.

[mikeymancs]

Hi Lhd/Dugcati,

It has always been smokey on start-up, I have had it about 4 months now. I had the timing belt/cam belt changed about 2 months back, this was done by a garage. I dont think there has been any real difference in terms of smoke before and after this.

The Diesel guy hasn't given me a report as such, he has simply said that the compression is really low and at a reading of 8-10 bar. It appears i have been a bit nieve and should have asked a lot more questions.. he charged me £40 for doing the compression test plus 'pop testing' the injectors.

I don't think he is being untoward, as he doesn't supply engines anyway, but he did offer to fit one if i can supply.

The van generally runs ok other than the smoke issue, and when warm seems to be quite sweet. The smoke does seem to be getting a little darker slowly but surely though.

Thanks for everyones help so far!