2030 died while driving, now struggles to start

[tbndt2030]

Hi,

I have a 1975 diesel 2030, bought a few months ago. The temperature gauge doesn't work.

Was out topping yesterday for a couple of hours when I noticed a lot of white smoke from the exhaust, then it just died under me. There seemed to be some smoke coming from underneath too, I think from on the sump, so I think it was hot and burning some of the oil that covers the underneath.

I let it cool for 10 mins or so and tried to restart it, and it wouldn't turn over. Just a solitary "chung" when I turned the starter.

Left it alone for an hour or two and went back. This time it seemed to put a little more effort in when turning the starter, and after a few goes it came to life, and I got it back down the field, but it died again at the bottom. An hour or so later it still felt hot to the touch, so I left it overnight.

This morning it seemed to labour on turnover, but did eventually come to life. To get it to go I had to hold the starter on for longer than normal, though, and it didn't seem to rev as much as I would expect for throttle positions.

Anyway, managed to get it back into the barn. What next? I would suspect battery issues for the starting trouble, but that wouldn't (TTBOMK) cause it to die while running.

 

[Leejohn]

Sounds like you are going to need a major overhaul now.

 

[coralhead]

Sounds to me like it is getting hot and seizing. Any coolant in the radiator? Water pump working? Fan belt loose?

 

[tbndt2030]

There is coolant. I started it up again in the barn. It ran for couple of minutes then I thought about opening radiator cap -- it was bubbling vigorously already. So I guess something isn't cooling properly.

 

[square1]

White smoke indicates unburnt fuel or coolant. Coolant will have a sweet smell, unburnt fuel will of course smell like diesel. Did you notice either before it shut down?

 

[tbndt2030]

I didn't think to explicitly consider it, but the barn mostly smelt like diesel fumes; I think a sweet smell would have been unexpected and therefore perhaps I would have noticed.

Edit: I haven't changed the coolant, so there's the chance that it was cheaply filled with too much water and wouldn't smell, I suppose.

 

[Tx Jim]

I'll suggest to install an operating coolant temp gauge. With engine cold & running, rad cap removed can you see any bubbles in coolant in rad neck? Can you detect any coolant in engine crankcase?

 

[Bavarian]

I think it's calling for a new head gasket. Bubbles in rad, hard or no crank, dying after running some time, these are indicators for a failed head gasket.

Make sure Collingwood system is working properly and overheating wasn't the reason for the gasket to go.

 

[tbndt2030]

Collingwood system?

Edit: oh, I'm going to guess something autocorrected "cooling"

 

[Bavarian]

It should mean cooling system and not Collingwood. Darn phone.