Terminal engine failure C250TD?

[WillF]

This morning my 256,000 mile C250TD responded to a kickdown with a large amount of blue smoke from the exhaust and no acceleration. Within 30 seconds it had seized solid and the starter motor cannot get any movement out of the engine.

Nothing obvoiusly amiss under the bonnet and the timing chain is still attached, but I''m suspecting a piston has gone.

Any suggestions anyone?

I have to say that the 18,000 miles I've done in the car which cost me £500 have been an absolute pleasure and if it's breathed its last then I've had great value out of it.

Will

 

[Dieselman]

It could be a blown turbo causing hydraulic lock.

I saw a van let go a few days ago. Impressive.

 

[guydewdney]

buy another one, keep that one for a few months to nick silly bits of broken trim off it (thats what I did, except the old one used to run).

Alternative, if you are spanner handy - you can have my old good runner 200k mile engine, (less turbo and injection pump) for the weigh-in scrap value. If you want to get it out. Have spanners and tractor here..... (minehead)

Theres a high spec estate c250td late model with tiptronic gearbox in the garage as you go out of bristol towards the airport - just after the last roundabout on the a38 - car supermarket or something vague like that. nice spec, low mileage (99k) but a bit rusty.

here
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...ew/page/1/postcode/bs11aa/radius/30?logcode=p

 

[WillF]

It could be a blown turbo causing hydraulic lock.

Thanks Dieselman. Googling this suggests you are spot on with your diagnosis as the engines seem to seize about 30 seconds after the initial blue smoke.

Given the high mileage and possibility of bent rods etc. I'm disinclined to fix it.

Alternative, if you are spanner handy - you can have my old good runner 200k mile engine, (less turbo and injection pump) for the weigh-in scrap value. If you want to get it out. Have spanners and tractor here..... (minehead)

Theres a high spec estate c250td late model with tiptronic gearbox in the garage as you go out of bristol towards the airport - just after the last roundabout on the a38 - car supermarket or something vague like that. nice spec, low mileage (99k) but a bit rusty.

Thanks GuyDewdney for the offer. I'm time poor at the moment so I'll have to pass on your offer. Might take a look at the car on the A38 though.

 

[WillF]

The inlet manifold is half full of sump oil which I think confirms Dieselman's diagnosis...

 

[bolide]

Rods may be OK... Still lots of hard work to find out, I suppose

Nick Froome

 

[Dieselman]

Rods may be OK... Still lots of hard work to find out, I suppose

Nick Froome

I doubt they will be OK if it locked.

A simple test would be to remove the inlet manifold, turn the engine over by hand, then see if it fires up.

If it goes and doesn't smoke, the rods are Ok.