300tdi head cracked?

[burrell8nhp]

Hello again,
I have a problem with my 95 Disco loosing a little water and smoking loads ater idling for a short while. It seems the smoke is mainly steam. When the cap is left slightly loose the problem disapears.
There is no water in the oil or vica versa.
Took the head off today and can't see anything wrong with the gasket, allthough it is a bit strange in that there is a shim and a conventional type gasket. The shim was between the block and the gasket, and I can't quite see how this can seal things but I can't see any leaks on it.

The gasket has no holes in it at all. My pistons protrude 0.68mm and according to the haynes book it needs a gasket with two holes in it.

Unfortunately I can see a small crack by #2 heater plug. It's about 8mm lomg. I am presuming this is probably the problem.
It's clear that #2 has had water in it as all the carbon on the head and piston is gone.
Has anyone come across this before?

Hope you can help,
Adrian.

[burrell8nhp]

The gasket and shim I took out is about 1.9mm thick. I'm presuming this is the wrong one. It has always been a very quiet engine since I have had it, maybee this is why?

[MadDan]

A pressure test of the head will reveal all
It probably is cracked though,seen loads with cracks around glow plug hole that are ok

[benaidan]

Hello again,
I have a problem with my 95 Disco loosing a little water and smoking loads ater idling for a short while. It seems the smoke is mainly steam. When the cap is left slightly loose the problem disapears.
There is no water in the oil or vica versa.
Took the head off today and can't see anything wrong with the gasket, allthough it is a bit strange in that there is a shim and a conventional type gasket. The shim was between the block and the gasket, and I can't quite see how this can seal things but I can't see any leaks on it.

The gasket has no holes in it at all. My pistons protrude 0.68mm and according to the haynes book it needs a gasket with two holes in it.

Unfortunately I can see a small crack by #2 heater plug. It's about 8mm lomg. I am presuming this is probably the problem.
It's clear that #2 has had water in it as all the carbon on the head and piston is gone.
Has anyone come across this before?

Hope you can help,
Adrian.

I have the same problem ( again ) after changing head gasket head skimmed and about 18,000 miles back again smokes at idle, cap loosened, no smoke .
What was your result ?

[Les Henson]

The shims are used to compensate for material skimmed off either the head or the block, so you can assume that a standard thickness gasket can be used (usually 2-holes). Some shims stick in place, and some don't - the fact that they are dead flat and bolted down prevents any leaks. Looks like someone did a proper job when they had it fitted - shims are about £50. I would get a crack test done on the head - they are known for this problem.
If the crack in your head is easily accessible, then it might be repairable - cracks are usually internal and can't be fixed.


Les.

[burrell8nhp]

Hi all,
I ended up buying a new head as I thought if I stuck with the shim it would lead to more problems at some point.
The head had a crack by one of the glow plugs (allthough it may not have mattered). I couldn't see the point of spending money getting it tested and buying a new shim and gasket.
I thought in the long run it's better to put the money towards the new head and lose the shim.

For your interest, I fitted the new type of gasket (metal multi shim).
I didn't think it would seal, but so far so good. Done about 800miles so far, fingers crossed.:rolleyes:

[benaidan]

Thank you all for your help, looks like a new head is the only answer.