blown engine !!!!!

[RoyLuke]

I was off on reserve duty for two weeks and my Disco sat at the AirBase and not run.. It cranked but only made it 3 miles last night.
First, the heater would not heat-up even though the engine was normal temp.
Then, it shut off in traffic.

I got it restarted but at low RPM the oil light kept coming on. Then it shut off again and it was blowing black tar-looking oil.

my poor Disco is sick !!!!!
Any ideas what to look for?
Thank God for AAA.

 

[helievacpilot]

Where did it sit? Was it in the extreme cold we had these last couple of weeks? Cracked a block? Based on your description, I'd be looking for a new motor or new Disco. It sounds bad.

 

[RoyLuke]

I did a compression check and one cylinder reads zero pressure.
Maybe (if I am lucky) could this be a head gasket problem.

Roy

 

[seventyfive]

Did you do a leak down test? Do a leak down test and see where the air is going, exhaust pipe, intake, oil pan, etc...

 

[Mtanzania]

I'm not sure where you are located or what year your disco is but I've got a good 4.0 out of a 96 disco for sale...I'd give you a great deal to get the garage space back

 

[RoyLuke]

I removed both heads hoping to find a blown head gasket-negative.
Next I thought it may be a broken piston--negative.
However, several of the head bolts were significantly loose. I torqued them down pretty good when I re-ringed the engine 36K ago. There didn't appear to be any blow-by.
Any suggestions where to go from here?

 

[singingcamel]

Pretty good is not good enough. You need to follow Land Rovers torque specs, I think the tar junk out the exhaust was moisture from sitting for a spell, I'd be more worried if it was blowing blue smoke.

 

[RoyLuke]

The tar looking oil seemed to be coming from around the engine compartment. There was oil in the plenum when I took it off.
I torqued the head bolts to specs when I redid the engine two years ago. I don't know how they got loose.
This is a tough one.:banghead:

 

[singingcamel]

Did you use new head bolts with the new gaskets ?

 

[RoyLuke]

Certainly, new gaskets and new bolts.
I use synthetic oil and the heads and top of the engine block was colored orange (I assume this is from the oil). That makes me think I was losing oil between the head and block. Yet the gaskets had no evidence of blow-by.
Tomorrow the gasket set should be delivered and I can start to put it back together unless I find something wrong.

 

[D Chapman]

Bolts will get loose if the engine over-heated.

 

[TOM R]

Did you have the heads checked to see if the needed cutting checked for cracks and pressure tested? Could be warped head, bad head cracked or not holding pressure

I would take them to a machine shop

 

[KyleT]

Orange is the coolant...

 

[RoyLuke]

I replaced the head gaskets and head bolts. Compression check yielded essentially the same results as when the engine blew. The RH Fwd cylinders have Zero and 25 psi.
The only thing I can think of is internal damage to the head. Unfortunately, no machine shops around Augusta, Georgia want to test them.

If it isn't the heads, what else could it be?
Roy:banghead:

 

[Flyfish]

May be warped heads or valve issue. Have em checked. Also was the block surface clean and flat?

Test the block via the water jackets. Cover all but 1 and put air into the remaining open passage. (10 psi or so)

Bolt down some flat iron (with a piece of rubber as gasket) to cover passages. Spray soapy water around the liners and see if you get bubbles.

That may rule in or out the heads.

 

[RoyLuke]

Took the valve cover back off and checked that the valves move. Seems normal.
I guess the next step is take the heads back off and take them to a machine shop to be checked.
This is a tough one !!!! I can't find anything wrong but nothing works !!!!
Roy :banghead:

 

[p m]

The RH Fwd cylinders have Zero and 25 psi.
The only thing I can think of is internal damage to the head.

If it isn't the heads, what else could it be?

Cracked block.

 

[TOM R]

Be sure to take the rave cutting specs for the heads machine shop will want them, be sure they cut aluminum heads different cutter then steel ones, be sure to have them pressure tested

 

[RoyLuke]

Got the heads back off and found at least one stuck exhaust valve.
Also got a stripped out bolt hole for the rocker shaft.
The good news is I at least now know what the problem is.
There are only 36K on the heads. Wonder why the valve stuck.
While it sat parked for two weeks at the airbase there was a major cold snap (about 9 degrees F). That shouldn't have caused it.
Roy

 

[p m]

Got the heads back off and found at least one stuck exhaust valve.
Also got a stripped out bolt hole for the rocker shaft.
The good news is I at least now know what the problem is.

How does that explain low compression in two cylinders?