things that might make you go WOW!!!!! thread

[LKSF]

The sheer audacity and huge figures of this lot makes for interesting reading. Basically a gang of crims set up their own fake Utilities company and drove around the country digging the roads up to get access to the electric supply cabling. They then tapped into it to supply about a hundred cannabis farms:

Fake utility firm carried out work across country as part of massive conspiracy

"In WhatsApp conversations, we uncovered chats where group members sent pictures of injuries they had received 'on site' following electrical explosions."

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

 

[V8Druid]

That's the first thought, but all four pistons show the same damage - is that notmal for a 300tdi?

I'm told there are four head gaskets available for the 300tdi to compensate for machining tolerances (and piston damage).

well it is JLR, FFS

 

[V8Druid]

The sheer audacity and huge figures of this lot makes for interesting reading. Basically a gang of crims set up their own fake Utilities company and drove around the country digging the roads up to get access to the electric supply cabling. They then tapped into it to supply about a hundred cannabis farms:

Fake utility firm carried out work across country as part of massive conspiracy

"In WhatsApp conversations, we uncovered chats where group members sent pictures of injuries they had received 'on site' following electrical explosions."

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

someone else flagged up these ws recently too -- brass neck or what

 

[Bri963]

That's the first thought, but all four pistons show the same damage - is that notmal for a 300tdi?

I'm told there are four head gaskets available for the 300tdi to compensate for machining tolerances (and piston damage).

All four showing the same damage could be a botched rebuild as you suspect, you can get the same thing with a high speed cam belt failure. The good valve in the photo is a good valve. You’re right about the gaskets, I misremembered three gasket thicknesses, probably getting mixed up with Perkins. You will need to follow the topping procedure if you’re changing out pistons, they’ll recommend a service tool for measuring protrusion but you can safely improvise if you’ve got an idea, which it sounds like you have.

One thing with 300’s is head flatness, they‘re buggers for warping at the drop of a hat and when they go they aren’t worth skimming. I’ve seen people try to pull them flat with the head bolts. it might look as if you’ve cured things, the next thing is the gasket goes again along with the rocker shaft.

 

[Gecko]

you can get the same thing with a high speed cam belt failure.

Apparently my info was ass-about.
The impact crators are from inlet valves, not exhaust. All pistons have the same deformation and cracks for the intake valve, but none show any marks from the exhaust valves. Could this happen with a broken belt?
To add weight to to the botched rebuild theory, all the big ends were worn excessivly, but #4 had a shell in the wrong way, so it wasn't held in correctly.

well it is JLR, FFS

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[Bri963]

Apparently my info was ass-about.
The impact crators are from inlet valves, not exhaust. All pistons have the same deformation and cracks for the intake valve, but none show any marks from the exhaust valves. Could this happen with a broken belt?
To add weight to to the botched rebuild theory, all the big ends were worn excessivly, but #4 had a shell in the wrong way, so it wasn't held in correctly.


What could possibly go wrong?

Bit hard to say for certain, I did see an Isuzu in a little Bedford van that had done this with all four exhaust’s after a cam belt let go. Now, bit of a finger in the air job, but the valves may have been miss- or not adjusted at all and they impacted while the engine was cold. Sometimes we have to admit that we don’t know and never will, and just concentrate on doing the job better second time round, or in this case third.

Do have a look from the bottom end at the bottom of the bores, if a conn rod got bent they can knock lumps out of the bottom edge of the bore.

 

[LKSF]

Apparently my info was ass-about.
#4 had a shell in the wrong way, so it wasn't held in correctly.

What does this mean?

 

[Gecko]

Cheers - I've asked for a "bore report".
The engine will be delivered to the local machinest this week - I'll report when I know something.

 

[V8Druid]

tripped over this earlier - some building and story

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Sharing Travel on Instagram: "Super bayonet. Wind turbine blades."

10K likes, 307 comments - mychinatrip on March 15, 2025: "Super bayonet. Wind turbine blades.".

www.instagram.com

 

[Gecko]

...but he had a red flag on the end

 

[V8Druid]

saw that the other day somewhere .. driver jack knifed it at just the right moment to avoid becoming a kebab
ridiculous load to be travelling without a tail end Charlie escorting the rear end

 

[Gecko]

Cheers - I've asked for a "bore report".
The engine will be delivered to the local machinest this week - I'll report when I know something.

The professional opinion is:

1. the block is intact
2. the current valves do not match the impressions in the pistons
3. damage to the pistons happened over an extended time (1000 km)
4. the head is virtually new (sub 10,000 km)
5. damage to the rings say it's been detonating for a long time
6. crank is not special and best replaced (the rods didn't get a comment)

Parts prices in Oz are UK prices +50%, so the lookout for another engine has started.

 

[Bri963]

The professional opinion is:

1. the block is intact
2. the current valves do not match the impressions in the pistons
3. damage to the pistons happened over an extended time (1000 km)
4. the head is virtually new (sub 10,000 km)
5. damage to the rings say it's been detonating for a long time
6. crank is not special and best replaced (the rods didn't get a comment)

Parts prices in Oz are UK prices +50%, so the lookout for another engine has started

you didn’t mention the rings, unless I missed it. Have you got picture? Also, I’d be surprised if it ran 1000 km with that valve impact, but then as I say, I haven’t seen the lot. Must have been a bloody noisy ride for a time. I suppose the belt could have been fitted a tooth or two out, or somehow slipped. One thing I am sure about is ne-one admits to having made a cock up of an engine rebuild or service. Many spare engines in Oz?

 

[Gecko]

I didn't know about the rings either - No pics yet.
I'll get my first look at the engine in a couple of weeks.
This car is an auto, there is a manual available to donate it's engine if the swap is practical. Otherwise, given the age of the Disco1, a suitable engine should be available.

 

[V8Druid]

I didn't know about the rings either - No pics yet.
I'll get my first look at the engine in a couple of weeks.
This car is an auto, there is a manual available to donate it's engine if the swap is practical. Otherwise, given the age of the Disco1, a suitable engine should be available.

change of crank spigot bearing required

 

[Gecko]

change of crank spigot bearing required

That's it? Cool!

 

[Bri963]

Never worked on an auto. Is the flywheel and housing the same ?

 

[Monkeybusiness]

I’ve a feeling that the auto 300tdi discos had a fly-by-wire throttle/ecu setup, unlike the essentially all-mechanical manuals. So there might be a few more bits to swap across possibly.

 

[pettsy]

One for @V8Druid, HDPE narrowboat